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Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) in an eligible program.

Parent PLUS Loans are low-interest, credit-based loans available to supplement the student's financial aid package, up to the cost of attendance. For interest rates and origination fees, please refer to the Federal Interest Rates and Fees website.

Eligibility | Apply | Denials & Counseling | Resources

Eligibility

Students must:

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current academic year.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Be fully admitted and meet the UNF admission requirements.
  • Be classified as degree-seeking at UNF in an eligible program.
  • Enroll for at least half-time (six credit hours) at UNF in UNF classes at the time of disbursement.
  • Maintain UNF's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
  • Complete all required Application Requirements and verification (if selected).
  • If in receipt of a Federal Parent PLUS Loan during this academic year at another institution, make sure the remainder of that loan is canceled before applying for a loan at UNF.
  • Understand that total aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.

Parents Must:

Please Note: Grandparents (unless they have legally adopted the dependent student) and legal guardians are not eligible to receive Parent PLUS Loans, even if they have had primary responsibility for raising the student.

Apply

Every step of the loan process must be completed at least two weeks before the end of the enrollment period to ensure the necessary processing time.

  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with your student for the current aid year. We recommend you file by UNF’s priority consideration date.
  2. Complete the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan application within 90 days of the term.
  3. Once the application is completed, the U.S. Department of Education will perform a credit check.
  4. After you receive notification that the PLUS loan application has been approved, you must complete the online Direct Parent PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).
  5. After UNF receives the credit decision from the U.S. Department of Education, we will automatically process the award based on the student's eligibility.
  6. Reduce or decline the Parent PLUS loan by submitting a PLUS Loan Action Request Form. The Direct PLUS Loan Application also allows you to request a change to the loan amount specified in a previously submitted application.

Please Note: Please allow at least three weeks for award processing from the time the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan application and Direct Parent PLUS Loan MPN are completed.

Loan Period Start Date End Date
Fall 2023 8/21/2023 12/18/2023
Fall 2023/Spring 2024 8/21/2023 5/3/2024
Spring 2024 1/8/2024 5/3/2024
Summer 2024 5/13/2024 8/2/2024

Parent PLUS Loan Denials and Counseling

Loan Denials

A dependent student whose parent has been denied a PLUS loan during the current academic year may be eligible to receive additional Federal Direct unsubsidized loans at the independent level with proof of PLUS loan denial from the lender. To request additional unsubsidized loan funds, complete the Loan Action Request Form.

If your credit has been denied for the Parent PLUS Loan, you may choose from one of the options below:

  1. Do not pursue the PLUS loan.
  2. Obtain an endorser. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Direct PLUS Loan if the borrower becomes delinquent in making payments or defaults on the loan.
  3. Choose to document extenuating circumstances related to the adverse credit history and complete PLUS Credit Counseling.

PLUS Counseling

PLUS Counseling is required if the U.S. Department of Education believes you have an adverse credit history and have obtained an endorser or documented extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history which the Department of Education finds satisfactory.

The Department of Education will email the borrower instructions on how to complete the PLUS Counseling. However, borrowers may also access the PLUS Credit Counseling by logging into their Federal Student Aid (FSA) account, then selecting PLUS Counseling from the menu, then selecting Parent PLUS to complete the counseling.

Resources for Parent PLUS Loan Recipients

Disbursement of Loan

Disbursement of financial aid is the process in which financial aid awards (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) are posted to the student’s account. As this process takes place, students may see changes to their anticipated aid, awards, and charges. Learn more about loan disbursements.

Loan Adjustment and Reinstatement

2023-2024 Academic Year Deadlines
Loan Period Adjustment / Reinstatement Deadline
Fall 2023 12/15/2023
Spring 2024 5/3/2024
Summer 2024 8/2/2024
2024-2025 Academic Year Deadlines
Loan Period Adjustment / Reinstatement Deadline
Fall 2024 12/13/2024
Spring 2025 5/2/2025
Summer 2025 8/1/2025

 

 

 

 

If you would like your loan eligibility reviewed for either an increase or reinstatement, you may submit the PLUS Loan Action Request Form by 5:00 p.m. on the deadlines listed.

For more information on Federal Direct PLUS loans, please visit studentaid.gov.