The document provides step-by-step instructions for applying for a Federal Direct Loan Consolidation online. It explains that applicants must first log in with their FSA ID and password. They are then guided through reviewing and adding loans for consolidation, selecting repayment options, inputting income information by linking to the IRS website, filling in applicant and reference information, reviewing and certifying the application, and submitting it for processing. Upon completion, applicants will receive verification emails from the Department of Education and their loan servicer.

1. How to apply for Federal Direct Loan Consolidation

2. To get started, head
over to
studentloans.gov

3. Click “Log In”

4. Click “Log In”
Logging in requires an FSA
ID and Password

5. Click “Log In”If you do not know your
FSA ID, head over to our
guide to “Getting an FSA
ID”
Logging in requires an FSA
ID and Password

6. Click “Log In”If you know your FSA ID
and Password, go ahead
and log in. If not, click the
link to create one.
Logging in requires an FSA
ID and Password

7. You are now logged in!

8. Click “Log In”
Next, Click
“Complete Direct
Consolidation Loan
Application”

9. Review the information and
then Click
“Start Application”

10. Review the loan
information on this page.

11. If there are loans you want
to consolidate not shown
on the screen, add them
here.

12. Scroll down….

13. Select if you would like to
delay processing you loan
consolidation due to loans
still being in grace period

14. Select if you would like to
delay processing you loan
consolidation due to loans
still being in grace period
If none of your loans are in
a grace period, select “Do
not delay processing”

15. Select if you are
consolidating your loans to
become eligible for PSLF

16. Select which federal loan
servicer you would like to
complete the consolidation
request and then service
your loan moving forward.

17. Click “Continue”

18. The next step requires you
to provide income
information, by linking to
the IRS

19. First, select any of the
options that apply to you
in this top section.

20. Read the details of the IRS
Data Retrieval Tool.

21. Read the details of the IRS
Data Retrieval Tool.
Click “Link to IRS”.

22. You will see a pop up
stating that you are now
accessing the IRS website.
Hit “Link to IRS” once
again

23. You are now on the IRS
website.

24. First, fill out the requested
information

25. Then click “Submit”
First, fill out the requested
information

26. Review your information, then
select to Transfer My Tax
Information into the Application

27. Review your information, then
select to Transfer My Tax
Information into the Application
Then click Transfer Now

28. Your income info should
now have been imported
into your application

29. Review the repayment
plans

30. Review the repayment
plans.
Select the desired plan
from the list.

31. Review the repayment
plans
Select the desired plan
from the list.
Click Continue.

32. Now you’ll be shown the
terms and conditions. Review
the information until you
reach the bottom.

33. Now you’ll need to open and
read each of the three
sections .

34. Check the box stating you
have read and understand the
information.
Now you’ll need to open and
read each of the three
sections .

35. And click “Continue”
Check the box stating you
have read and understand the
information.
Now you’ll need to open and
read each of the three
sections .

36. Verify the information in these
fields and fill in any missing
information.

37. Scroll down and fill in the
information for 2 references.

38. Scroll down and fill in the
information for 2 references.
Once you have filled in the
information, click “Continue”.

39. Next, you’ll be prompted to
review all of the information
that you’ve entered

40. Once you’re satisfied that all
of your information is correct,
certify the request by clicking
here

41. Once you’re satisfied that all
of your information is correct,
certify the request by clicking
here
Then enter your name and
click Sign & Submit to
complete the process

42. Upon submitting, you’ll
receive a verification email
from the Department of Ed

43. Upon submitting, you’ll
receive a verification email
from the Department of Ed
And in a couple days you
should receive a confirmation
email from your servicer.

44. Congrats, you’re done!
Welcome to more manageable
Student Loans