Graduate PLUS loans
A page within Financial Aid
Important - Changes to Graduate PLUS Loans
Following the passage of the OB3 Act, starting with the 2026-27 award year, new graduate and professional students will not be able to borrow Graduate PLUS loans. Continuing graduate students may be eligible if they have borrowed graduate level federal loans prior to July 1, 2026. Please contact our office with any questions.
Graduate or professional students who have borrowed federal loans at the graduate level prior to July 1, 2026, are eligible to borrow under the PLUS Loan Program. 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 8.94% for the 2025-26 academic year with a 4.228% Origination Fee deducted from the loan prior to disbursement.
- 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.
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.