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Parent PLUS Loan

Who may borrow?

You may borrow if you are the parent/stepparent of a dependent student, you are not in default on any federal education loans, and you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. If you are not the custodial parent, you may still borrow a PLUS on the student's behalf. The student must have a FAFSA on file. 

How to apply for PLUS

2012-2013 Award Year

You must complete both steps or the loan will not be processed!

Note that the student must have filed a FAFSA before a Parent PLUS can be processed.

  1. Complete the MSU PLUS Loan Application Form (LAF)
  2. Complete a Direct Loans Master Promissory Note (MPN).
    • Click here to complete a Parent PLUS Direct Loan Master Promissory Note. The MPN will be valid for 10 years provided a PLUS loan is disbursed within 12 months of the MPN signing.  NOTE: Do not complete the PLUS Application on this website.  MSU uses the MSU PLUS Loan Application Form (LAF) linked above (item #1).
    • A federal PIN is required for an online PLUS MPN. If you do not have a federal PIN, you can apply for one at www.pin.ed.gov.

 

2011-2012 Award Year

You must complete both steps or the loan will not be processed!

  1. Complete the MSU PLUS Loan Application Form (LAF)
  2. Complete a Direct Loans Master Promissory Note (MPN).
    • Click here to complete a Parent PLUS Direct Loan Master Promissory Note. The MPN will be valid for 10 years provided a PLUS loan is disbursed within 12 months of the MPN signing.  NOTE: Do not complete the PLUS Application on this website.  MSU uses the MSU PLUS Loan Application Form (LAF) linked above (item #1).
    • A federal PIN is required for an online PLUS MPN. If you do not have a federal PIN, you can apply for one at www.pin.ed.gov.

Loan maximum

The loan limit for each year is the annual cost of education (the "budget") minus other financial assistance. If your requested amount is too high, it will be reduced to fit within the budget.

Interest rate

Under Direct Loans, the interest rate is 7.9%.

Loan fees

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program requires a 3% origination fee and a 1% default fee. In 2011-12, there's an up-front rebate of 1.5%, so the net disbursement is 97.5% of the gross loan amount. The borrower must make the first 12 payments on time to keep the rebate.

Beginning with loans awarded on or after July 1, 2012, there will be no up-front rebate.  Borrowers will pay the full 4% at the time of disbursement, and so will receive 96% of the gross loan amount.

PLUS repayment

The first payment is due within 60 days after each loan is fully disbursed. Therefore the first payment of a fall/spring loan will usually be due in February. Interest begins to accumulate when the first disbursement is made. You may contact the servicer and request forbearance of the principle. Read more about forbearance.

When to apply

You should begin the application process 4 to 6 weeks before you need the funds in order to ensure timely processing. Depending on the time of year, it can take several weeks from the time MSU receives the PLUS LAF until the servicer sends notice of acceptance or rejection.

Steps in PLUS processing:

  • After we receive the LAF, MSU confirms student's eligibilty for a PLUS and transmits the application to the PLUS loan servicer.
  • The servicer performs a credit check. Click here for more information.
  • The servicer notifies the parent of acceptance or rejection of the loan.
  • If the loan is approved, funds are sent directly to MSU and applied against student's bill.
  • Any PLUS funds that exceed MSU charges are given to student as a refund by the Student Accounts division of the Controller's Office (517/355-3343).

PLUS disbursement

Disbursement of the PLUS funds depends on when the loan is approved. By law PLUS funds cannot be disbursed until 10 days prior to the first day of classes in a semester. If that date has passed and the approval process has been completed, MSU will generally disburse the funds within 2 days of approval.

Options if PLUS is not approved

These are some options the family may want to consider:

  • Parent may be approved with an endorser (co-signer).
  • Student may call the Office of Financial Aid and request "PLUS replacement". This means the student may be able to borrow an additional amount of unsubsidized Stafford Loan.
  • Private alternative loans may be available.
  • You may wish to explore other options such as a home equity loan.
 

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