PLUS loans

[Anonymous]

Who's taken Out a parent PLUS loan? Happy you did or regret it? Are you (the parents) paying it back or your kids?

Financial aid has fallen short and DD will already have the max amount of federal student loans so this seems to be the best remaining option, but makes me nervous.

[Anonymous]

It should make you nervous! Make sure you are taking out a loan you can afford to pay back. Don't count on your kid helping. If you can't repay it you will not be able to discharge it in bankruptcy, and they can collect it out of your wages and social security later on.

You may need to consider having your dc take some time off of school to save or move to a cheaper option, perhaps live at home or with other relatives to save.

[Anonymous]

How soon do you hope to retire? You need to consider how much retirement income you expect (pension? Social Security? lots of savings?) and whether you can pay off this loan while still managing to enjoy your retirement. Or, you might have to postpone your retirement.

[Anonymous]

I have a cautionary tale as to why this is a bad idea but don't have time to explain right now.

[Anonymous]

Take DD to the bank and get her a loan that way. They will do education loans once she has maxed out federal aid methods and do it at a really good interest rate. You don't want to take on a plus loan.