Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans
Effective July 1, 2026, Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans will no longer be available to the following:
- New graduate loan borrowers.
- Students who are starting a new graduate program, even if they borrowed federal direct loans at another institution or as an undergraduate student.
Students who have already borrowed federal direct loans for their current graduate program may still be eligible to borrow Grad PLUS loans after July 1, 2026. However, this option will only be available for a limited time (the lesser of three years or the length it takes to complete your current graduate program).
Graduate students must continue to be enrolled at least half-time (six degree-applicable credit hours) in an eligible program. For more information on changes due to the One Big Beautiful Bill, visit Upcoming Federal Financial Aid Updates.
Grad 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:
- File 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 a graduate or professional program leading to a graduate or professional degree or certificate.
- Enroll for at least half-time (six degree-applicable 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 Grad PLUS Loan during the academic year at another institution, make sure the remainder of that loan is canceled before applying for a loan at UNF.
- Not have an adverse credit history.
- Understand that total aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
- Complete the online Direct Grad PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).
- Complete the online Direct Grad PLUS Entrance Counseling.
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.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current academic year. We recommend that you file by UNF's priority consideration date.
- Complete the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan application within 90 days of the term.
- Once the application is completed, the U.S. Department of Education will perform a credit check.
- Complete the online Direct Grad PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).
- Complete the online Direct Grad PLUS Entrance Counseling.
- 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.
- Reduce or decline the Grad 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 Grad PLUS loan application, Direct Grad PLUS Loan MPN and Entrance Counseling is completed.
| Loan Periods | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 8/18/2025 | 12/12/2025 |
| Fall 2025/Spring 2026 | 8/18/2025 | 5/1/2026 |
| Spring 2026 | 1/7/2025 | 5/1/2026 |
| Summer 2026 | 5/11/2026 | 7/31/2026 |
Grad PLUS Loan Denials and Counseling
Loan Denials
If your credit has been denied for the Grad PLUS Loan, you may choose from one of the options below:
- Do not pursue the PLUS loan.
- 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.
- 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 has informed you that you have an adverse credit history and you have obtained an endorser or documented to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history.
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 Grad PLUS to complete the counseling.
Resources for Grad 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
| Loan Period | Adjustment / Reinstatement Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 12/11/2025 |
| Spring 2026 | 04/30/2026 |
| Summer 2026 | 06/26/2026 |
If you would like your loan eligibility reviewed for either an increase or reinstatement, you may submit the PLUS Loan Action Request Form by 5:00p.m. on the deadlines listed.
Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling
If you have received a subsidized or unsubsidized loan under the Direct Loan Program or the FEEL Program, it is mandatory to complete Loan Exit Counseling each time you:
- Drop below half-time enrollment
- Graduate (this includes submitting a graduation application)
- Leave the University
Federal Exit Counseling is the process by which students review and acknowledge their rights and responsibilities for all of the federal student loans they have borrowed.
Failure to complete the Loan Exit Counseling will:
- Prevent future financial aid disbursements
- Place a hold on the student's account
- Prevent access to transcripts and/or diplomas