Parent PLUS Loans
The U.S. Department of Education is the lender of the Parent PLUS Loan, which can be used to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid.
Eligibility requirements
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The borrower must be a parent
(e.g., biological, adoptive, or in some cases, step-parent) of a
dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time (6 credits).
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The student must be making satisfactory academic progress.
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Credit check required.
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Eligibility is not guaranteed.
Application process
- The dependent undergraduate student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- PLUS application is required annually and can be completed at StudentAid.gov (Applications for the Parent PLUS loan are now available. Please select the school year you are applying for)
- The application includes loan amount options: The maximum allows awarding up to your cost of attendance not covered by other aid, or specific loan request amounts.
- If a parent borrower is not approved, the student may be awarded additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan of $4,000 for freshmen or sophomores, or $5,000 for juniors or seniors.
- The PLUS borrower may make revisions to the initial request by contacting SFS.
Direct Loan PLUS Master Promissory Note
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The Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) can be completed at StudentAid.gov.
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MPN is borrower and dependent student specific; a parent PLUS MPN is required for each dependent student.
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A second MPN will be required if the previous MPN required an endorser or has otherwise become inactive.
Repayment
- Interest accrual begins when funds are disbursed.
- Repayment begins 60 days after the last scheduled disbursement.
- The parent borrower may defer repayment while the student on whose behalf the loan has been borrowed is enrolled at least half-time, and for an additional six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Request this process when applying.