Borrowers still can consolidate loans that are in grace, reypemant or deferment, but they can't consolidate loans if they are enrolled in school. But your situation is different since you have been paying. Example: A borrower who has education loans stopped attending school for a year and the loans used up the 6-month grace period and entered reypemant. The borrower returned to school and obtained a new loan. While enrolled, the borrower applies for a Direct Consolidation Loan. The Direct Consolidation Loan can include the first group of loans the borrower received, but not the newly received loans. Once the borrower leaves school again he or she can add these new loans to the existing consolidation loan or submit a new Direct Loan Consolidation application to combine the original consolidation loan and the other remaining loans.