Federal PLUS Loans

To help pay for a child’s educational expenses, parents of dependent undergraduate students that are enrolled at least half-time, may choose to apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. A Parent PLUS Loan is the sole responsibility of the parent applying for the loan and must be repaid by the parent. Responsibility of the loan may NOT be transferred to the student.

The U.S. Department of Education defines a parent as a biological or adoptive parent. In some circumstance, step-parents may apply for a Parent PLUS Loan, IF the step-parent applying for the loan is listed on the student’s FAFSA for purposes of reporting financial information. Legal guardians and grandparents are not eligible to receive a Parent PLUS Loan.

To be eligible to receive a Parent PLUS Loan, both the parent and student must meet all other eligibility requirements for federal student aid, as noted on the FAFSA. A credit check will be performed during the application process. Parents with an adverse credit history may not be eligible to receive a Parent PLUS Loan, unless additional requirements are met. If a parent is denied for a Parent PLUS loan, the student may be eligible to receive additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility. However, once an approval is obtained for the year (by any parent), students are no longer eligible to receive the additional unsubsidized loan amount, even if an alternate parent is subsequently denied for the Parent PLUS Loan.

Parents may borrow up to the student’s cost of attendance (COA), minus other financial aid received (scholarships, fellowships, grants, federal student loans, private student loans). To estimate the student’s bill, visit the Bursar’s Bill Estimator.

Unlike a student’s Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, parents must begin making payments on a Parent PLUS loan within 60 days of the first disbursement of funds, unless otherwise requested. While completing the application for the Parent PLUS loan, parents may request a deferment to have their payments postponed until six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below a half-time status. Parents may also contact their federal loan servicer to request a deferment, as well.

Graduate or professional students may be eligible to apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for an amount up to their cost of attendance (COA), minus other financial aid received (scholarships, fellowships, grants, federal student loans, private student loans), and the student is enrolled at least half-time. Students should accept an offered Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan before applying for a Grad PLUS loan, because the interest rate and loan origination fees on the unsubsidized loan will both be lower. Grad PLUS Loans, like unsubsidized loans, will begin to accrue interest from the time the loan is disbursed.

Graduate or professional students with an adverse credit history may not be eligible to receive a Grad PLUS Loan, unless additional requirements are met.

*Each academic year starts from July 1st and runs through June 30th

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the student.
2. Ensure the student completes his/her financial aid file.
3. Once the student has received a notification of eligibility, have the student sign into myUCCS Self Service to accept, reduce, or decline Direct Subsidized of Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
4. Student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits).
5. Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
6. Complete the Parent PLUS Loan application* and PLUS Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov, under the parents log in. (Only Parents should complete this step)
7. If required due to adverse credit history, complete PLUS Credit Counseling at studentaid.gov.
8. If an endorser is needed, have the endorser complete the Endorser Addendum at studentaid.gov.

*The 2024-2025 PLUS Application will be available on studentaid.gov beginning July 1, 2024

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the student.
2. Complete your financial aid file.
3. Once you receive your notification of eligibility, sign into myUCCS Self Service to accept the Direct Unsubsidized Loan (if offered).
4. Enroll in at least 3 credit hours.
5. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
6. Complete the Grad PLUS Loan application* and PLUS Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov.
7. If required due to adverse credit history, complete PLUS Credit Counseling at studentaid.gov.
8. If an endorser is needed, have the endorser complete the Endorser Addendum at studentaid.gov.

*The 2024-2025 PLUS Application will be available on studentaid.gov beginning July 1, 2024

PLUS borrowers may be eligible for deferment or forbearance options, which will allow payments to be temporarily postponed. Alternate repayment options may also be available for borrowers who wish to make payments but are unable to make the Standard Repayment amount. For more information regarding deferment, forbearance, and repayment options, contact your federal loan servicer. If you do not know who has been assigned as your federal loan servicer, log into Federal Student Aid using your FSA ID, to obtain this information.