Parent PLUS Loans

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is an optional federal loan program for parents who wish to access additional resources beyond what a student is eligible to receive.

This credit-based parent loan option may cover up to the total cost of attendance (COA) as defined by Saint Martin's University, minus student aid.

The present interest rate for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan is fixed at 7.9 percent. If the parent receives a declined notice for the Direct Parent PLUS Loan, the student will be eligible for an additional award of an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

Who can apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan?

  • A students biological, adoptive parent or the student's stepparent, if the biological or adoptive parent remarried at the time of the application
  • A parent borrower cannot have adverse credit history
  • Must be a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Must complete a FAFSA application each year

Applying for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan
To complete an application:

  • Review your different loan options
  • Go to https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
  • The parent borrower will be asked to sign in using their FAFSA PIN
    • If the parent does not have a PIN they can request on at: www.pin.ed.gov
  • Click on "Start PLUS Application Process"
  • The parent borrower will authorize an immediate credit check
  • If the credit is approved and it is the first time that the parent borrower is seeking the Federal Direct PLUS, the borrower will be directed to complete the DL Parent PLUS MPN
    • It is strongly recommended that the parent complete the PLUS MPN after they receive approval notice

Disbursement of Direct Parent PLUS Loan

If there is a credit balance resulting on the student's account due to a Direct Parent PLUS loan, the Department of Education requires that the parent submit a PLUS Loan Directive to indicate if the funds should be refunded to the student or the parent.

The PLUS Loan Directive form will be mailed out to the address on file after the loan has been added to the student's financial aid package. We will be unable to disburse any refunds of the Parent PLUS Loan without a completed directive on file.