Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

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MSU PLUS Authorization Form

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan     

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan for Undergraduate Students enables a parent to borrow a Parent PLUS Loan for his or her dependent child designed to bridge the gap between the financial aid awarded and the cost of attendance. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender.

ELIGIBILITY

1. What are the eligibility requirements?

You must be enrolled at least half-time in an Undergraduate program at Morgan State University and must meet all of the other general eligibility requirements for the Federal Student Aid programs. In addition, you must not have an adverse credit history (a credit checks will be done).

2. Who may apply for the Parent PLUS Loan?

The Parent Borrowers of a Direct PLUS Loan must be the biological or adoptive parent (adopted before the age of 13) of a dependent undergraduate or the spouse of the parent whose income and assets were reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

3. What is considered to be an adverse credit history?

You are considered to have an adverse credit history if you are 90 or more days delinquent on any debt or if, within 5 years of the date of the credit report, you have been the subject of a default determination, bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or write-off of a Federal Student Aid debt (for example, a Direct Loan or Federal Stafford Loan).

4. What are my options if I have an adverse credit history?

You may still receive a Direct PLUS Loan if you obtain an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the loan if you do not repay it.

5. Can I decline Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans and use only Direct PLUS Loans to pay for my education?

Yes. However, Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans have some advantages over Direct PLUS Loans. Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans have a lower fixed interest rate (3.73%) than Direct PLUS Loans (6.28%), and no interest is charged on Direct Subsidized Loans while you are in school at least half-time or during grace and deferment periods. Interest is charged on Direct PLUS Loans during all periods. In addition, Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans have a 6-month grace period after you leave school during which you are not required to make payments. There is no grace period for Direct PLUS Loans.

APPLYING

6. How do I apply for a Direct PLUS Loan?

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Federal Direct PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note (PLUS MPN). The Federal Direct PLUS application can be found at www.studentaid.gov. The parent must log in with their information for the application to be considered.

7. Are there any additional requirements?

Yes, the Parent Borrower needs to complete the PLUS Loan Authorization form.  The authorization form can be found on Morgan State University’s Financial Aid webpage or you can obtain a copy at the Morgan State University Loan Office.

8. What is the PLUS Authorization Form?

The PLUS authorization form is intended to verify the information that you have applied with through www.studentaid.gov, so the Morgan State University Loan Office can process the student’s PLUS Loan accurately. Along with the form, we will require a valid and signed Government Issue I.D.  

9. Why do you need a Valid Signed Government Issued I.D.?

The requirement is to protect you the borrower from fraud.  We want to ensure that the person applying for the loan is in fact applying for the loan.   

10. What if I do not provide the Authorization Form?

Morgan State University will not disburse your PLUS loan until we receive that form.  If you are using the PLUS loan to resolve a balance, it will not be resolved until we receive the Plus Authorization Form.  Remember, this is to protect you.

11. Do I need to reapply every year?

Yes. A new credit check must be performed and each application is only good for the academic year indicated in the application. A new FAFSA must also be completed each academic year.

12. Can I cancel a Direct PLUS Loan after I've applied?

You may cancel all or part of the loan by notifying your school. After your loan money is disbursed, you may cancel all or part of your loan within certain timeframes. For details, refer to the Borrower's Rights and Responsibilities Statement that accompanies your PLUS MPN.

13. Can the MPN that I signed for my Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans be used for Direct PLUS Loans?

No. You must sign a PLUS MPN.

14. Can I take out Direct PLUS Loans for myself under a PLUS MPN that I signed for Direct PLUS Loans to pay for my child's education?

No. The parent must sign a separate PLUS MPN to borrow for the student. 

15. How do I request an increase/ decrease?

To request an increase or decrease, the parent must log onto their account on www.studentaid.gov and request a new Direct PLUS loan. The initial credit check is good for six months so if the increase/decrease is completed before the credit expiration date, the credit will not be checked again. If the increase/decrease is completed after the credit expiration date, the initial credit check is no longer valid and the Department of Education will have to do another credit check on the borrower.

16. What happens if the loan is denied?

After a PLUS loan has been denied, the student is eligible to receive an additional unsubsidized loan. We MUST receive the credit decision from the Department of Education, a paper denial will not suffice. The student will then log onto their Websis account to either accept or deny the additional unsubsidized funds.

17. What will happen if my denied PLUS loan is later approved?

In the event that the parent was denied a PLUS loan and the student received the additional unsubsidized loan, the unsubsidized loan will have to be retracted in order for the loan department to process the approved PLUS loan.

18. What happens if one parent is denied but the other is approved?

If both parents apply independently and one is approved and the other is denied, the dependent student is NOT eligible for the additional unsubsidized loan amount.

19. Can the parent's PLUS Loan be transferred to the student so that it becomes the student's responsibility to repay?

No. A PLUS Loan made to the parent cannot be transferred to the student. The parent is responsible for repaying the PLUS Loan.

LOAN LIMITS

20. How much can I borrow in Direct PLUS Loans?

There are no set annual or aggregate limits. You may borrow up to your full cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid you receive (including Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, grants, scholarships, and certain fellowships).

21. Do Direct PLUS Loan amounts count toward the $31,000 Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan aggregate loan limit for undergraduate students?

No. Only Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) made through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program count toward the $138,500 aggregate.

22. Am I eligible for a Direct PLUS Loan if I have reached the $31,000 Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan aggregate loan limit for undergraduate students?

Yes. However, if you have exceeded the $31,000 aggregate limit and it was not due to the Parent Plus loan denial increases (not to exceed $57,500), you must either repay the excess loan amount or make satisfactory arrangements to repay it before you can receive any additional Federal Student Aid, including Direct PLUS Loans.

23. If I have an adverse credit history but cannot find an endorser, can I receive additional Direct unsubsidized Loan funds?

No. If you are not eligible for a Direct PLUS Loan, the regular Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan annual loan limit for graduate and professional students applies. You may not borrow more than $18,500 (maximum $8,500 subsidized) for an academic year. (Certain health professions students may receive increased Direct Unsubsidized Loan amounts.)

INTEREST RATE AND FEES

24. What is the interest rate on a Direct PLUS Loan?

Direct PLUS Loans have a fixed interest rate of 6.84%. This interest rate will not change throughout the life of your loan.

25. Is there a loan fee?

Yes. The U.S. Department of Education charges a loan origination fee of 4% of the principal amount of each Direct PLUS Loan. This fee is deducted proportionately from each disbursement of your loan.

26. Is the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan up-front interest rebate also available on Direct PLUS loans?

Yes. Direct PLUS Loan borrowers receive the same up-front interest rebate repayment incentive (equal to 1.5% of the loan principal amount) that is currently available for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan borrowers.

REPAYMENT

27. When do I have to begin repaying a Direct PLUS Loan?

Your first payment will be due within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. This will generally be while you are still in school. There is no grace period.

28. Can I postpone payments while I am in school?

Yes. While you are enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis, you are eligible for an in-school deferment that allows you to postpone payments on your Direct PLUS Loan until you graduate or drop below half-time status.

29. How do I obtain an in-school deferment?

You must submit an In-School Deferment Request form to the Direct Loan Servicing Center. (You must apply separately for an in-school deferment on your Direct PLUS Loans, even if you have automatically received an in-school deferment on your Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans.) You may obtain an In-School Deferment Request form from the Office of Records & Registration, or from the Direct Loan Servicing Center. Your school must certify your enrollment status on the deferment request form.

30. Do I need to apply for an in-school deferment each year?

Generally, the school that certifies your deferment request will report your expected graduation date on the form. The in-school deferment on your Direct PLUS Loan will then remain in effect until you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment status, and you will not have to reapply each year.

31. How soon do I have to begin making payments after my in-school deferment ends?

Your first payment will be due within 45 days after the deferment end date. The Direct Loan Servicing Center will notify you 60 days before your deferment ends.

32. Can I postpone payments on a Direct PLUS Loan during the grace period on my Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans?

If you are unable to make payments on your Direct PLUS Loan after you leave school and your in-school deferment ends, you may request a forbearance that will allow you to temporarily postpone payments. You will have to explain why you are unable to make payments. To request forbearance, contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center.

33. Is interest charged during a deferment or forbearance?

Yes. Interest is charged on a Direct PLUS Loan beginning on the date of the first loan disbursement, and it continues to be charged during periods of deferment or forbearance. You may either pay the interest as it accrues (the Direct Loan Servicing Center will send you a quarterly interest statement), or you may allow the interest to be capitalized (added to your loan principal balance) at the end of the deferment or forbearance. Capitalization increases the total loan amount that you must repay.

34. What repayment plans are available?

You will be able to choose from a variety of repayment plans that are designed to meet your individual needs. The Direct Loan Servicing Center will provide you with information on available repayment plans.

35. How much will I have to pay each month?

Your monthly payment amount on a Direct PLUS Loan will vary depending on the repayment plan that you choose and how much you borrowed. You can obtain estimated monthly payment amounts for different debt levels or for other repayment plans by contacting the Direct Loan Servicing Center.

CONSOLIDATION

36. Can I consolidate my Direct PLUS Loans with my other student loans? If so, when can I consolidate?

You may consolidate your Direct PLUS Loans with your other eligible student loans into a single consolidation loan after you leave school. Note that the repayment period for a consolidation loan begins as soon as the loan is made - there is no grace period. Therefore, if you want to consolidate your Direct PLUS Loans with your other student loans that have a grace period, you should wait to do so until shortly before the end of the grace period on the other loans.

DIRECT LOAN SERVICING CENTER

37. How do I contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center?

Contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1-800-848-0979 (TTY 1-800-848-0983) or online at www.myedaccount.org. Visit the web site or call to get loan account information, request a deferment or forbearance, download a deferment or forbearance request form, change repayment plans, make online payments, set up automatic payments, and much more.