consolidation question to u/girl_of_squirrels girl_of_squirrels or others who can help

I had 2 Mohela parent Plus loans that I mailed paper applications for consolidation with 2 different servicers, and I verified that the 2 original Parent Plus loans were paid off and the consolidated loans are with the 2 servicers (Edfinancial and Aidvantage). It is 4/21/26 with the 7/1/26 deadline looming to complete the final part of the double consolidation.

Three questions:

1) should I apply to consolidate these 2 loans to a third servicer (Nelnet) by paper application or online?

2) Each of these 2 loans has a payment due in April…should I pay those now or wait….because I was wondering, where would the payments go if the 2 loans are consolidating to a new servicer???

3) can I just put "Standard" repayment on this final application and then change to income- based later? I don't think I can get it together quick enough to gather the income info needed for income-based

thank you