Am I eligible for a Federal Parent Plus loan?

To receive a parent PLUS loan, you MUST

  • be the biological or adoptive parent (or in some cases, the stepparent) of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • not have an adverse credit history (unless you meet certain additional requirements)
  • meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid which include having financial need, are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, and are enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • the student must have a completed FAFSA on file for the FAFSA year in which the loan is being requested
    ***Note: Grandparents (unless they have legally adopted the dependent student) and legal guardians are not eligible to receive parent PLUS loans, even if they have had primary responsibility for raising the student

Important Items of Note:

Credit Checks are ONLY VALID FOR 180 days

PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Parents must be completed by the parent for each student

  1. Go to the Federal Student Aid website
  2. Click the Log In button
  3. Enter your (parent) FSA ID and Password
  4. Click the Log In button
  5. Click the Apply For Aid drop-down arrow
  6. Click Apply for a PLUS Loan button
  7. Click the Learn More button next to "I am a Parent of a Student"
  8. Read the Before you Continue section highlighted in yellow
  9. Click the Start button
  10. Enter the information in the Loan Information section

    Loan Amount and Term Requested

    Loan requests can be made for multiple terms and will be certified according to credit approval.

  11.  Click the Continue button
  12. Enter the information in the Borrower Information section
  13. Click the Continue button
  14. Review and Edit the information submitted on the previous pages
  15. Click the Continue button
  16. Complete the Credit Check and Submit section

  17. Click the Continue button
  18. Confirmation of your credit decision for the Direct Plus Loan Application will be shown
  19. CCAC will receive your application, and if approved, complete the certification process within 7-10 days.


Application Denial

If the PLUS loan was denied, you have 3 options:

  • You may get an endorser for the loan
  • You may appeal the decision
  • The student can seek an additional unsubsidized loan (max $2,000/term) by submitting a Direct Stafford Loan request through CCAC Self-Service indicating a Parent Plus Credit Denial in the comment section.