Bill Foster (D-IL)
Parent PLUS Loan Fairness and Responsibility Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Parent PLUS Loan Fairness and Responsibility Act of 2026," aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to allow specific federal student loans to be transferred from a parent to a child. The transfer requires several conditions, including the loan being in good standing and the child reaching age 18. It also requires a determination of the child's ability to repay the loan. Once transferred, the child becomes the original borrower, and the parent is no longer responsible for the debt.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +4
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill provides relief to parents by transferring their debt responsibilities to their adult children.
- Scored +4
Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay?
The bill facilitates easier access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting previous parental payments toward the child's requirements.
- Scored +3
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill allows young adults to take over parental loans to build their own credit and eligibility for forgiveness programs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Relief for Parents: Under Section 2(d)(1)(B), once a loan is transferred, the parent is no longer responsible for paying the principal, interest, or any other costs associated with the loan.
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Benefits for Students seeking Forgiveness: Section 2(d)(3)(A) ensures that any qualifying PSLF payments made on the loan before the transfer are treated as qualifying payments made by the child, helping them reach the threshold for public service loan forgiveness.
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Increased Loan Flexibility: Under Section 2(d)(1)(C), a child can elect to have the transferred loan treated as a Federal Direct PLUS Loan for determining eligibility for certain repayment plans.
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Protection of Loan Limits: According to Section 2(e), a transferred loan will not count toward the child's annual or aggregate maximum loan limits.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Risk for Children: Section 2(b)(3) requires the Secretary to evaluate the child's ability to repay based on employment, income, and credit history, which could serve as a barrier if the child does not meet these specific financial standards.
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Wait Times for Transfers: Section 2(b)(6) requires a period of 180 days to pass during which the child was not pursuing a half-time course of study or specific approved programs, which may delay the transfer process.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides relief to parents by transferring their debt responsibilities to their adult children. Would students be better off under this? — The bill benefits students by allowing them to inherit the progress made toward loan forgiveness via their parents. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill allows young adults to take over parental loans to build their own credit and eligibility for forgiveness programs. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The ability to transfer debt and count towards PSLF may assist families managing significant educational expenses.
- Education And Technology
- Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — The bill facilitates easier access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting previous parental payments toward the child's requirements. Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides more flexibility in managing student debt through loan transfers and PSLF credit preservation.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill reduces the long-term financial liability of parents by allowing them to transfer debt to their children.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia