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Most college undergraduates and their family will need to locate several different loan programs, scholarships or grants in order to fully fund postsecondary education. In addition to the student loans made available by the federal government, parents can apply for a Direct PLUS Loan and make up the difference between the amount of financial aid already awarded and the actual costs of tuition, room/board and student expenses.
What Parents Can Expect With A PLUS LoanUnlike a federal grant for education, a Direct PLUS Loan must be repaid. Parents seeking financial aid for their child through the federal government must qualify in several areas. These include a favorable credit history, proof of any financial contributions that can be made for the student's college education and documentation showing legal custody of the student. Graduate students who are living independently may apply for their own federal PLUS Loan, but parents can only obtain funding for dependents.
Applying For A Direct PLUS LoanParents will need to fill out and submit a special application provided by the U.S. Dept. of Education. The application also requires the parent to complete and sign a promissory note stating their intention of repaying the loan plus accrued interest. If awarded a loan, disbursement of funds is made directly to the financial aid office at the college or university. Parents can apply for more than one Direct PLUS Loan for other dependents, even if the students are attending different schools. The parent will be able to track disbursements and view the total amount of the repayment by contacting a servicer appointed by the government.
Information On Interest Rates And RepaymentA Federal Direct PLUS Loan begins to accrue interest from the moment the first disbursement is completed. The government does not subsidize this loan and therefore all of the interest must be paid in addition to the principal balance. Repayment is deferred so long as the student is enrolled more than half-time, or is taking at least 10 quarter or semester hours of credits.Repayment begins no more than 60 days after the student graduates or leaves the school. The repayment is through the servicer contact. The interest rate on a federal parent Direct PLUS Loan is 7.9 percent. If the loan is taken out through a bank, credit union or other financial institution it may be guaranteed against default by the federal government. Repayment plans vary according to the individual family's situation, but generally the repayment period for this loan is 10 years.
What else can I help you with?
What is the average rate of a federal plus loan?
The average rate of a Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan and Federal Direct Plus Graduate Loan is now 7.9%. This rate is fixed for the life of the loan and cannot exceed 8.25%.
What are the differences between a Federal Perkins Loan and a Direct Subsidized Loan?
The main difference between a Federal Perkins Loan and a Direct Subsidized Loan is the entity that provides the loan. The Federal Perkins Loan is offered by the school itself, while the Direct Subsidized Loan is provided by the federal government. Additionally, the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan is paid by the government while the borrower is in school, whereas interest on a Perkins Loan begins accruing immediately.
What is a federal direct plus loan?
The Federal Direct Student Loan program is loan given to students in the United States. If you feel that you are in need of the perfect loan, then maybe this is the right one for you since it is a government loan.
What is a Direct Parent PLUS Loan?
What is a Direct Parent PLUS Loan?A Direct Parent PLUS Loan, often just called a Parent PLUS Loan, is a type of loan that parents can obtain to help pay for his or her student's educational expenses. A Direct Parent PLUS Loan is the perfect way to cover the remaining educational expenses after the student's additional financial aid assistance. These loans are appealing because they offer relatively low interest rates that are fixed at only 7.9 percent. Federal loans offered to the students typically have lower interest rates, but a student have minimal borrowing power due to his or her age and limited credit history. Additionally, these loans accrue interest from the date of the first payment disbursement until the parent has completely paid off the loan.Who Qualifies for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan?A person can qualify for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan if he or she is the student's biological or adoptive parent. Some situations allow for the student's stepparent to qualify for the loan. To be deemed eligible for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan, the parent must have a good credit history or be able to obtain a friend or relative co-signer for the loan. Additionally, the student must be a dependent and be enrolled in classes at least half-time. Lastly, the parent and the student have to be either U.S. citizens or qualified noncitizens to qualify for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan.What is the Application Process?To obtain a Direct Parent PLUS Loan, a parent must fill out and submit a Direct PLUS Loan application and a Master Promissory Note. The Master Promissory Note is the parent's agreement to repay the loan, interest and fees in full over the designated amount of time. The Master Promissory Note lists the terms of the loan and the repayment agreement. The Master Promissory Note typically covers all subsequent loans, but a parent must submit a new loan request each year that the student needs financing for school. The parent can submit both the Master Promissory Note and the application online at www.studentloans.gov. Once the loan is approved, the payments are disbursed directly to the student's educational institution.
What is a Direct Loan Plus?
What is a Direct Parent PLUS Loan?A Direct Parent PLUS Loan, often just called a Parent PLUS Loan, is a type of loan that parents can obtain to help pay for his or her student's educational expenses. A Direct Parent PLUS Loan is the perfect way to cover the remaining educational expenses after the student's additional financial aid assistance. These loans are appealing because they offer relatively low interest rates that are fixed at only 7.9 percent. Federal loans offered to the students typically have lower interest rates, but a student have minimal borrowing power due to his or her age and limited credit history. Additionally, these loans accrue interest from the date of the first payment disbursement until the parent has completely paid off the loan.Who Qualifies for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan?A person can qualify for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan if he or she is the student's biological or adoptive parent. Some situations allow for the student's stepparent to qualify for the loan. To be deemed eligible for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan, the parent must have a good credit history or be able to obtain a friend or relative co-signer for the loan. Additionally, the student must be a dependent and be enrolled in classes at least half-time. Lastly, the parent and the student have to be either U.S. citizens or qualified noncitizens to qualify for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan.What is the Application Process?To obtain a Direct Parent PLUS Loan, a parent must fill out and submit a Direct PLUS Loan application and a Master Promissory Note. The Master Promissory Note is the parent's agreement to repay the loan, interest and fees in full over the designated amount of time. The Master Promissory Note lists the terms of the loan and the repayment agreement. The Master Promissory Note typically covers all subsequent loans, but a parent must submit a new loan request each year that the student needs financing for school. The parent can submit both the Master Promissory Note and the application online at www.studentloans.gov. Once the loan is approved, the payments are disbursed directly to the student's educational institution.
How can one get a federal direct loan?
There is a lot of information about getting a federal loan on the government websites, depending on your location. Most university websites also provide information on getting a federal direct loan, as it is most often aimed at students.
What is the best federal student loan program?
There are many federal student loan programs to choose from. They include Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Student PLUS Loan, etc. When it comes to deciding which is the best, it depends on one's circumstances.
Are all consildated federal loans considered direct loan consolidations?
No. The vast majority are FFELP. If your lender is anyone other then DIRECT LOANS you do not have a Direct Loan.
What is the different between a parent loan and a student loan?
The primary difference between a parent loan and a student loan lies in who is responsible for borrowing and repaying the funds, as well as the purpose of each loan type. Here's a detailed comparison: Borrower Responsibility • Parent Loan: Taken out by the parent (or legal guardian) to help fund their child's education. The parent is legally responsible for repaying the loan. • Student Loan: Taken out by the student themselves to pay for their education. The student is the borrower and responsible for repayment, though parents can sometimes co-sign. Credit Requirements • Parent Loan: Typically requires a credit check. Eligibility and interest rates are based on the parent's credit history and income. • Student Loan: Federal student loans often don’t require a credit check. Private student loans may require a creditworthy co-signer (often a parent) if the student has limited credit history. Purpose • Parent Loan: Specifically designed to assist parents in covering educational expenses for their children, such as tuition, books, or living costs. • Student Loan: Intended for students to fund their education-related costs. Federal student loans offer more borrower protections for students. Repayment Responsibility • Parent Loan: Repayment begins immediately or shortly after disbursement, depending on the terms. Parents are solely responsible. • Student Loan: Many federal student loans offer a grace period where repayment doesn’t start until after graduation or leaving school. Loan Types • Parent Loan: o Example: Federal Parent PLUS Loan in the U.S. • Student Loan: o Federal student loans like Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. o Private student loans from banks or financial institutions. Interest Rates and Terms • Parent Loan: Often higher interest rates than student loans and fewer repayment flexibility options. • Student Loan: Generally has lower interest rates and may offer income-driven repayment plans, deferment, or forbearance options. Loan Forgiveness • Parent Loan: Limited eligibility for forgiveness, usually tied to specific circumstances. • Student Loan: More options for loan forgiveness, especially for federal student loans under programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness
How do you Transfer a plus loan to child?
Parent didn't sign Masters Promissory note so it is technically not the parent's loan or responsibility right? Because of this, can a Direct PLUS loan get transferred to the child if a mistake was made in the loan process?
What are the qualifications for a parent plus loan?
Qualifications for a Parent PLUS loan include being a parent of a dependent undergraduate student, having a good credit history, and not having any adverse credit history such as bankruptcy or default on a federal student loan.
What happens to federal parent plus loans when the parent dies?
Typically there are only a few ways federal loans can be written off or dismissed. Death or being permanently disabled are a couple of them. If a parent dies, the PLUS loan in their name will be dismissed. No one will need to make payments on it any longer. If his has happened, be sure to notify the lender for the loan what has happened. They will likely ask for documentation of the death.
