The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan (commonly referred to as a Grad PLUS loan) is a fixed-interest, federally guaranteed loan available to credit-worthy graduate students. This loan is automatically offered to law students in their financial aid package; all other graduate students will need to complete a separate application.
Eligibility Requirements: The Grad PLUS Loan is available to all credit-worthy students who submitted a FAFSA, regardless of financial need. To be approved, you must not have an adverse credit history. If you are denied a Graduate PLUS loan because of adverse credit, you may reapply with a credit-worthy cosigner. If there are documented extenuating circumstances related to your credit history, you may also appeal the denial.
Conditions that result in an adverse credit history include:
- One or more debts with a total combined outstanding balance greater than $2,085 that are 90 or more days delinquent, or that have been placed in collection or charged-off (written off) during the two years preceding the date of the credit report.
- Having been subject to any of the following conditions during the five years preceding the date of the credit report:
- Default determination
- Discharge of debts in bankruptcy
- Foreclosure
- Repossession
- Tax lien
- Wage garnishment
- Write-off of a federal student aid debt
Maximum Loan Amount: Up to your total cost of attendance, minus all other financial aid.
Interest Rate:
- For loans borrowed during the 2024-25 academic year: 9.08%
- For loans borrowed during the 2023-24 academic year: 8.05%
- For loans borrowed during the 2022-23 academic year: 7.54%
These interest rates are fixed for the life of the loan.
Interest begins accruing when the loan is first disbursed and continues to accrue throughout the life of the loan. You can pay the interest directly to your servicer as it accrues if you wish. If not paid, interest will be capitalized when repayment begins.
Origination Fee:
A loan origination fee is proportionately deducted at the disbursement of each installment of the loan. For loans with a first disbursement on or after Oct. 1, 2020, and before Oct. 1, 2024, the fee is 4.228%.
Steps to Apply:
For graduate students:
- Visit StudentAid.gov.
- Under the "Apply for Aid" drop-down, click "Apply for a Grad PLUS loan"
- If approved, you'll also need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) on StudentAid.gov.
For law students:
- Accept the loan through My4D.
- Sign in to StudentAid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).
A credit check will be conducted once you have accepted the loan or begin the loan application process. If you are initially denied the Graduate PLUS loan but have since qualified by obtaining an endorser or documenting extenuating circumstances, you will also be required to complete PLUS Counseling. This can be completed through StudentAid.gov as well.
Once you're approved, the Department of Education will send us confirmation of your loan approval and the details of the requested amount. For graduate students, the loan will be added to your financial aid award after processing.
Requirements to Receive Loan: You must pass a credit check, complete a Master Promissory Note online at StudentAid.gov, and remain enrolled at least half time (4 credits or more) to receive funds.
Repayment Terms: No payments are required while you're in school, and repayment begins six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. Payments are made to your Direct Loan servicer each month. Your monthly payment amount will depend on your total borrowing and chosen repayment plan.
Repayment Options: The standard repayment period is 10 years but can be as long as 25 years depending on total borrowing and chosen repayment plan. The Grad PLUS loan can be consolidated with other federal loans.
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