Direct PLUS Loans
For graduate and professional students
- Unlike the Direct PLUS Loans for parents, this loan is in the student's name and based on the student's credit rating.
- Loan enters repayment as soon as it’s fully disbursed:
- Interest begins to accrue from the date the loan is disbursed, though you can choose to pay it later if you are in a deferment status
- If you choose to not pay the interest as it accrues, it will be added to the principal amount of your loan and increases the amount you have to repay.
- If you pay the interest as it accumulates, you'll repay less in the long run.
Requirements
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the loan period
- Establish eligibility for the maximum annual amounts of Unsubsidized Loans for the period
- Meet minimum credit requirements
Interest rate
| Disbursement Date | Interest Rate |
| 7/1/2023 - 6/30/2024 | 8.05% |
| 7/1/2022 - 6/30/2023 | 7.54% |
| 7/1/2021 - 6/30/2022 | 6.28% |
| 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 | 5.3% |
| 7/1/2019 - 6/30/2020 | 7.08% |
| 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2019 | 7.60% |
| 7/1/2017 - 6/30/2018 | 7.00% |
| 7/1/2016 - 6/30/2017 | 6.31% |
| 7/1/2015 - 6/30/2016 | 6.84% |
| 7/1/2014 - 6/30/2015 | 7.21% |
| 7/1/2013 - 6/30/2014 | 6.40% |
- Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2013 have a fixed interest rate of 7.9%. Federal PLUS Loans first disbursed between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2010 have a fixed interest rate of 8.5%.
- Loans first disbursed between July 1, 1998 and June 30, 2006 have a variable interest rate with a cap of 9%. The interest rate is adjusted each year on July 1 (your loan holder will notify you of interest rates changes annually). Contact your loan holder to determine the interest rate. If you have a loan first disbursed prior to July 1, 1998, contact your loan holder to determine the interest rate.
Loan limits
You may borrow up to the cost of education minus any financial aid received. There is no aggregate maximum.
Loan programs
Important note about Federal PLUS Loans and the Federal Family Education Loan Program: Beginning July 1, 2010, the loan types are Direct PLUS Loans available through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The U.S. Government makes these loans directly through schools.
If you borrowed prior to July 1, 2010, you may have a Federal PLUS Loan (also known as a Federal Grad PLUS Loan) from the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. (Under the FFEL Program, private lenders such as banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations made the loans.) Although the FFEL Program and Federal PLUS Loans no longer are available, existing loans remain active.
Loan repayment
You have a variety of repayment options. Learn more.
Deferment and forbearance
If certain special circumstances arise that make it temporarily difficult for you to make your loan payments, you may qualify for a deferment or forbearance.