Federal GradPLUS Loans

• Available to the graduate and professional students regardless of financial need
  
  The student must meet certain eligibility criteria in order qualify for financial loan assistance:
  
  view student eligibility requirements
  
  
  
• This PLUS program is available for students in graduate levels programs only:
  
  (undergraduate students must use the Parent PLUS program)
  
  you must first accept all Stafford Student Loans you are eligible for before you may borrow under the Graduate PLUS program.
  
  see stafford loan program
  
  
  
• Graduates may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus the amount of any financial aid received
  
  (including all available Stafford loan amounts)
  
  Cost of attendance includes tuition, room and board, books, and even travel.
  
  Borrowed funds will be paid directly to the school from the lender or by the Federal Government under FDSLP.
  
  The school will first use the money to pay your tuition and fees. Any remaining loan money is credited to your account or paid to the directly. The school must notify the parent of all credited funds.
  
  
  
• PLUS loans are fixed rate loans with an upper limit,
  
  meaning that the rate will remain fixed for term of the loan. Fixed rates are applicable for all loans disbursed after July 01, 2006.
  
  view current PLUS Loan rates:
  click here
  
  view rate structure as set by the Federal Government (download docs): http://www.fp.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/fp/intrates.jsp
  
  
  
• You may be required to pay up to 4% processing fees
  
  to the lender upon loan disbursement. Portion of these fees go the Federal Government and another portion to a guaranty agency to help reduce the cost of issuing the loans.
  
  Generally these fees are deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement.
  
  You may cancel the loan within 14 days after you receive written notification that funds have been credited to your child's account. Contact the school's financial aid office for cancellation terms.
  
  
  
• Graduate PLUS borrower may defer payment on their loans while in in-school status —
  
  there is no grace period; however.
  
  Graduate PLUS borrowers qualify for the same deferment options as Stafford borrowers. This means that within 60 days after full disbursement when the first payment is typically due on a PLUS loan, these loans go into in-school deferment status, which can last as long as the borrower is enrolled at least half time.
  
  The repayment period is 10 years under one of the following plans:
  
  
  1. Standard Repayment Plan:
     you pay a fixed amount per month
     
     
  2. Graduated Repayment Plan:
     you begin payments that are low (equal to the interest accrued) and then increase over time until full repayment
     
     
  3. Income-Sensitive Repayment Plan:
     the monthly payments change based upon annual income
     
     
  4. Extended Repayment Plan:
     allows new borrowers on or after 10/7/98 with a total FFELP debt of at least $30,000 (FDSLP loans offer other repayment terms) to repay their loan (either fixed or graduated) for up to 25 years.
     
     You can consolidate your loans with extended repayment terms if you qualify. See our affiliated student loan consolidation site: click here
     
  
  
  
• The Grad PLUS loan is available only to graduates who can pass a credit check;
  
  if you fail to pass the credit check, you may still receive the loan if someone with a good credit history co-signs for the loan or if you can show extenuating circumstances.
  
  
  
• Interest paid on student loans qualify a tax reduction
  
  borrowers who file tax returns can deduct some of the interest paid on their student loans. Taxpayers who have taken out loans to pay for the cost of attending an accredited college for themselves, a spouse, or a dependent may be eligible for this deduction.
  
  see IRS tax publication for more information:
  tax benefits of higher education
  
  
• For more information:
  
  steps in the application process: reviews the steps required when applying for federal financial aid.
  
  link to the U.S. Department of Education to download the latest version of the Student Guide