Graduate PLUS loans
A page within Financial Aid
Graduate or professional students are eligible to borrow under the PLUS Loan Program up to their cost of attendance minus other financial aid received. The maximum amount that can be borrowed is indicated on their financial aid offer as "Your Other Loan Eligibility-G".
- Graduate students who wish to borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan must apply at studentaid.gov. A Federal Student Aid (FSA) User ID and password are required.
- All first-time Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers must complete the Direct Grad PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) and the Graduate Entrance Loan Counseling.
- The applicant must not have an adverse credit history.
- Repayment begins once the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
- Graduate PLUS Loans have a fixed interest rate of 9.08% for the 2024-25 academic year (including summer 2023 loans that disburse before June 30th) with a 4.228% Origination Fee deducted from the loan prior to disbursement.
- The PLUS interest rate for 2025-26 will be announced in June 2025.
- Applicants for these loans are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Direct Graduate PLUS Loan funds are applied electronically to the student's bill.
IMPORTANT
Eligibility
To be eligible, the student must:
- be creditworthy
- be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and provide a valid Social Security Number
- complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- be admitted to a graduate program
- be enrolled at least half-time
Endorsers
Some Graduate PLUS Loan applicants may require an endorser to be credit-eligible for this loan. Tips for Selecting a Co-Signer.