Parents may apply for a Direct PLUS Loan for any academic year that their student is enrolled at least half time as an undergraduate student. Under the Federal Direct Student Loan program, the federal government serves as the lender and the interest rate is fixed. Fees are subtracted from each disbursement to cover a loan origination fee. Please visit the Department of Education website for more information on interest rates and origination fees.
The Direct PLUS Loan is a credit-based loan which allows parents to borrow up to the cost of attendance, less any other financial aid already awarded. Cost of attendance includes the total cost of tuition, fees, housing, and meals billed by the university, plus a standard calculation for books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
Parents must complete two items each year a Direct PLUS Loan is needed:
- Your student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you wish to borrow a PLUS Loan.
- Complete a PLUS Loan Application each year.
We have additional information on applying for the PLUS Loan for parents and families.
Repayment
The repayment period for a Direct PLUS Loan begins at the time the loan is fully disbursed, and the first payment is due within 60 days after the final disbursement. Borrowers may request an in-school deferment by calling the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 800.848.0979. Payments under the deferment option are deferred until six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time, although interest continues to accrue. Some families make interest-only payments while a student is enrolled and delay repayment of the principal until after the student graduates.
The Direct PLUS Loan Program for parents offers several repayment plans that are designed to meet the different needs of individual borrowers. The terms differ between the repayment plans, but generally the standard repayment period on a PLUS Loan is 10 years. More information can be found on Federal Student Loans website.