Yes, if you make three voluntary, on-time, full monthly payments before consolidating, you can choose from any of the repayment plans available to Direct Consolidation Loan borrowers.
can we get more help since COVID-19 is affecting so many people and our finances?
Yes, the U.S. Department of Education has stopped collection activity on defaulted federally owned student loans and/or grant overpayments. Interest is temporarily set at 0% on defaulted federally owned student aid debt. This 0% interest and stopped collections period will last from March 13, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020.