Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. First-time borrowers may borrow up to $20,000 or the student’s cost of attendance minus any other aid the student receives, whichever is less. Total borrowing from a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan cannot exceed $65,000. Continuing (legacy) borrowers are not subject to the $20,000 annual, or $65,000 aggregate, loan limits for a limited time.
Please note that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced significant changes to federal student loan programs. As a result, first-time borrowers may borrow up to $20,000 or the student's cost of attendance minus any other aid the student receives, whichever is less. Total borrowing from a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan cannot exceed $65,000. Continuing (legacy) borrowers who have received a federal student loan before July 1, 2026 and remain continuously enrolled in the same program of study at the same institution are not subject ot the $20,000 annual, or $65,000 aggregate, loan limits for a limited time.
Students must be enrolled at least half-time in a program that leads to a degree. Students must also meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress. Parents cannot have adverse credit history, and they should meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
Parent borrowers apply for this loan on StudentAid.gov. The application requires a credit check, but the credit check is valid for 180 days. A signed master promissory note is required. This is completed on StudentAid.gov as well.
The parent borrower is responsible for repayment. Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement of the loan.
Parents can postpone repayment if the student is enrolled at least half-time.
At the end of the application, parent borrowers receive their credit check result. Here is a list of results and explanations of your result.
If the credit decision is approved, our office will be notified and the loan will be processed.
Our office will be notified and the student may become eligible for additional unsubsidized loan funds. The amount of the unsubsidized loan is limited by cost of attendance and annual loan limits.
Parents with an adverse credit decision have the option to appeal or get an endorser. If your credit decision is changed, you are required to complete PLUS Credit Counseling to receive the loan.
More information may be required by the Department of Education. In this case, contact them at Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is only available to continuing graduate or professional students who have previously borrowed through the Grad PLUS program and remain actively enrolled. Students may be able to borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other aid they receive for up to three additional years or until their program is completed, whichever comes first.
Please note that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced significant changes to federal student loan programs. As a result, the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan program is no longer available to new borrowers. For continuting (legacy) borrowers to be eligible:
- You must have received a federal student loan before July 1, 2026.
- You must remain continuously enrolled in the same program of study at the same institution.
- You must be enrolled at least half-time in a program that leads to a degree.
- You must meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress.
- You cannot have an adverse credit history. You will not be denied for not having a credit history.
You can apply for this loan on StudentAid.gov. The application requires a credit check, but the credit check is valid for 180 days. A signed master promissory note is required. This is completed on StudentAid.gov as well.
You are responsible for repayment. Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement of the loan.
You can postpone repayment if you are enrolled at least half-time.
At the end of the application, you will receive your credit check result. If the credit
decision is accepted, we will be notified within 48 hours and the loan will be processed.
If your application is declined, you can appeal the decision or get an endorser.