Federal Direct PLUS Parent Loan Program Information
What is a Federal Direct PLUS loan?
The Federal Direct Parent Loan for an Undergraduate Student (PLUS) is a loan available for parents to assist in financing his /her child's undergraduate college educational costs. The maximum annual amount you may borrow is the difference between Skidmore's cost of attendance and any other financial aid the student is receiving. A credit check must be passed in order for the loan to be approved.
When should I apply for the Federal Direct PLUS loan?
The financial aid office will begin certifying Federal Direct PLUS loans in July 2023. The 2023/2024 Federal PLUS applications are not available until after June 1, 2023. We recommended that you wait until after you have received a fall bill or late June/early July to apply for the Federal Direct PLUS loan. Parents need to reapply each year to obtain this loan.
How much can I borrow?
A parent may borrow up to the total cost of attendance for the academic period minus estimated financial aid received for the requested loan period (September 2023-May 2024). A 4.228% loan fee is deducted by the government as an origination fee. The loan amount can be increased by the amount of the fee.
Example: If you borrow $10,000 in a Federal Direct PLUS loan with 4.228% fee, Skidmore will receive $9,577 towards your bill.
What is the interest rate for the 2023-2024 academic year?
The Federal Direct PLUS loan carries a fixed interest rate of 8.05%.
How will the Federal Direct PLUS loan be disbursed?
Federal Direct PLUS loan funds are electronically transferred to Skidmore in two disbursements. Generally, there is a disbursement at the beginning of the fall semester and one at the beginning of the spring semester. The loan proceeds are credited directly to your student's Skidmore account.
Federal Direct PLUS Parent Loan Application Procedures
Complete the below steps. Once the below information is received the loan will be certified.
1. Federal guidelines require the 2023-24 FAFSA to be filed by the student using the custodial parent's information if a parent wishes to apply for a Federal PLUS loan.
2. To apply for the Federal Direct PLUS loan, follow the instructions to Complete the Federal Direct PLUS Request Process at this link: Direct PLUS Loan Application You will need a FSA Username and password to apply for the loan. If you do not already have a username and password you may request one online at Federal Student Aid- Create an FSA ID. During the Federal Direct PLUS loan application process you will have an option to indicate the amount you would like to borrow or choose to borrow the maximum you are eligible to receive. The federal government will process a credit check on your behalf and you will immediately be able to review the results online.
3. Once approved, complete your Master Promissory Note at: Federal Direct PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN). If you are denied due to credit, you will be given the option to use an endorser and/or you may be able to resolve credit reporting errors. If you are not subsequently approved, please feel free to contact the financial aid office as your son/daughter may qualify for additional unsubsidized Federal Direct student loan funds. For more details on the MPN, please see below question.
4. The parent who is the borrower must complete a Certification Statement. Please submit the completed form to the Financial Aid Office.
What if I am denied for a PLUS Loan?
If you are denied, you can appeal the decision or obtain a co-signer/endorser. You can contact the Department of Education, Borrower Services, at (800) 557-7394.
If you are denied and Skidmore receives notification from the Department of Education, per federal regulations, your student may be eligible to borrow additional funding in a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Freshman/Sophomore level students may be eligible for up to $4,000 and Junior/Senior level students may be eligible for up to $5,000. However, if the PLUS Loan were to get approved at a later date in the academic year, your student would not be eligible for the additional funds.
PLEASE NOTE:
There is a loan counseling requirement for applicants who are determined to have an adverse credit history, but who qualify for a Direct PLUS Loan by documenting extenuating circumstances or obtaining an endorser. The applicant must complete the PLUS Credit Counseling. PLUS loans will not be certified until this is completed by the Parent borrow.
What is the Master Promissory Note?
The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a written promise to pay the U.S. Department of Education a fixed amount of money over a specified period of time. You will electronically sign the MPN during the PLUS application process.
The MPN must be completed once for your college student's undergraduate enrollment at Skidmore. If you have more than one child at Skidmore, you must complete an MPN for each child. The PLUS application and MPN must be on file with the U.S. Department of Education in order for the funds to be disbursed to Skidmore.
If you obtained the loan by obtaining an endorser, a new MPN must be completed for any additional endorsed loans in subsequent years.