Federal Direct PLUS Loans

Parents of full-time and part-time dependent undergraduate students may apply. The program is limited to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and eligible non-citizens. Students must be enrolled in a degree-granting program or eligible certificate program. Parents of students in a second bachelor’s degree program may also apply.

Parents may apply for Parent PLUS Loans at www.studentaid.gov.

Those who wish to apply for a Parent PLUS Loan must complete the following steps:

Step 1: The borrower must sign into www.studentaid.gov with their own information and FSA ID. Note that for the Parent PLUS Loan, the borrower is one of the student’s parents.

Step 2: After signing in, the borrower will need to then complete the Parent PLUS Loan application.

Step 3: Complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling session for the Parent PLUS Loan on www.studentaid.gov.

Please be advised that the Federal Direct PLUS Loan will not credit to your student account until these requirements are satisfied and the loan application has been approved. The PLUS Loan may cover up to the student’s Cost of Attendance minus any other aid or outside resources.

Your parents may apply for an amount up to the “cost of attendance” less any other aid.

Contact the lender at www.studentaid.gov for questions on adding an endorser.

Graduate and professional students who have used all their federal loan eligibility for the year are eligible to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan to cover up to the cost of attendance less any other aid received. The program is limited to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and eligible non-citizens. Students must be enrolled in a degree-granting program or eligible certificate program.

All students who are interested in applying for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan at George Mason University must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once we receive your FAFSA, we will notify you of your eligibility. If your expected cost of attendance has not been met by the federal direct loans, and if you need additional funds, you may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan at https://studentloans.gov using these steps:

Step 1: The borrower must sign into studentloans.gov with their own information and FSA ID.

Step 2: After signing in, the borrower will need to select the “Request Direct PLUS Loan” option, shown on the screen in blue.

Step 3: At the bottom of the screen, select the “Complete PLUS Request for Graduate/Professional Students” for the Graduate PLUS Loan. The borrower will need to complete all information in the tabs in order to submit the credit check process.

Step 4: Complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling session from the links on the left side of the screen. An option to link the MPN will be offered once the PLUS request is submitted.

Please be advised that the Federal Direct PLUS Loan will not credit to your student account until these requirements are satisfied and the loan application has been approved.

The Graduate PLUS Loan may cover up to the amount of your Cost of Attendance less any other aid.

You can find instructions for completing the electronic endorser application here.