Attention Federal PLUS Borrowers
All Federal PLUS loans are administered through the Federal Direct PLUS loan program, which means you borrow directly from the government.
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To start a Federal Direct PLUS Loan application (parent or graduate student), you can click on a link at the bottom of this page. Be sure to read through the following instructions first.
New for 2011-12:
A dependent student must file a FAFSA before a parent can apply for a Parent PLUS loan.
How to sign in
The link below takes you to StudentLoans.gov where you will sign in under “Manage My Direct Loan”. When you sign in you will need your Personal Identification Number.
What’s a PIN Number?
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For graduate students – use your FAFSA PIN Number.
- For parent borrowers – you must use your own PIN Number.
Tip - If you have ever signed a FAFSA for one of your children, you have one! If not, you may apply for a PIN number through www.pin.ed.gov. Be sure to use your PIN and not your student’s PIN.
Once you have signed in, you can complete an application for the PLUS loan.
Here are some points to review:
Pay attention to the sections
For Parent PLUS borrowers, be sure to put all of your information under the borrower section and your student’s information under the student section.
What amount can I request?
For Parent and Graduate PLUS borrowers, you can request either the maximum amount or a specific dollar amount. If you request the maximum, then the Office of Financial Aid will process up to the student’s total cost of attendance minus other aid received. If you are not sure what amount to request, you can contact the Office of Financial Aid. It helps to have the student’s award letter so you can see the balance due for the year.
Can I request a loan for one semester only through the online application?
Usually you will want to request enough to cover the entire academic year (please note that the federal government takes off 4% of the loan amount borrowed before disbursement to the school). If you do want an amount for one semester only, then you can request a one-semester only loan during the application process.
Don’t forget your Master Promissory Note!
Once you have completed the application, then you must also complete a Master Promissory Note if you have not already borrowed on a Federal Direct PLUS loan.
Additional tips for Parent PLUS borrowers
You have a couple of other options as well while filing your application.
- You can request a deferment on payments while your student is in school. If you choose this option, please note that interest will still accrue and should be paid.
- If a PLUS loan disbursement creates a refund, the parent has the option of the refund going to the student or parent. Please note that if you want the refund in your name, and not the student’s, then you will receive a check from the Accounting Office ONLY if it is the PLUS loan that creates the refund. Also, at the beginning of each semester the Accounting Office does not send out refund checks to parents until the 3rd week of classes.
Graduate PLUS borrowers, have you filed a FAFSA first?
Before applying for a Graduate PLUS loan, be sure you have filed your FAFSA and have a Federal Direct Stafford loan approved first as the interest rate is a little lower than the Graduate PLUS loan. If you are still in need of assistance after the Stafford loan, then the graduate PLUS loan would be your next best option.