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Yes. The rehab program is one that, once completed, removes the default information (not necessarily the lates) from the CR. If he paid the balance today it would be like paying off the CO but the CO status would remain.
The CA is correct. Rehab is better for credit.
With consolidation, the bad marks will stay on your credit if your loans previously were in default. Even though your loan will be paid off and listed as “paid in full” on your credit report. Just like any collection, it doesn't go away just because it's been paid. Once loans are consolidated, you’ll get a new loan through consolidation and the old defaulted loan (although paid) will stay on your report for 7 years.
As I mentioned, to fix your credit, rehab is better. After rehab, all past negative information in regard to your student loans will completely deleted from your credit file. With student loan rehabilitation, you make 9 on-time payments on your student loans (for Direct or FFEL loans).
I lived through rehab and now there is no evidence of any student loan default on any of my credit reports.