Parent PLUS Loan Information
Parents of students who attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have the option of taking out loans in their name to pay for tuition and fees. Parents are obligated to pay back the loan, not students.
Requirements to receive a Parent PLUS Loan
- You must be the student's biological or adoptive parent or the student's stepparent, if the biological or adoptive parent has remarried at the time of application.
- Your child must be a dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program.
- Parent PLUS loan borrowers cannot have an adverse credit history (a credit check will be done).
- Parents and their dependent child must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.
- The student must not be in default on any federal education loans or owe an overpayment on a federal education grant.
Steps to apply for a Federal PLUS Direct Loan
- A current FAFSA must be on file for the student.
- The parent must go to StudentAid.gov. log in with their FSA ID and Password, and choose ‘Apply for a Direct Plus Loan.’ Then choose ‘Direct Plus Application for Parents.' Your credit will be approved or denied instantly. The results of the Plus Loan request will be transmitted to UW-Platteville from the processing center within 48 hours.
- Once you have your credit decision, complete the Plus Loan Request Form. The form must be initiated by the student and then the parent will be sent an email to complete his/her portion of the form. Once UW-Platteville receives the completed form, it will be processed within 3-5 business days. The loan will not be processed without having a completed and signed form.
- If the Plus loan in approved, the parent who requested the loan, will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) under parent borrows at StudentAid.gov. This is listed as Complete Loan Agreement for a PLUS Loan (MPN). If MPN is not completed by the parent, the loan will not disburse.
Note: Confirm your federal student loans have been accepted or declined through your PASS account prior to applying for a Federal Direct Plus Loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Federal Direct PLUS Loan?
A Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) is a loan that the parent obtains for their dependent undergraduate student for educational expenses.
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Who can take out a PLUS Loan?
Only a parent of a dependent student may request a PLUS loan. A parent can be the student’s natural, adoptive, or step-parent.
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Where does the money for a PLUS Loan come from?
Parents will be borrowing the money from the U.S. Department of Education.
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What are the stipulations?
The student is required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the Financial Aid Office can process the PLUS loan. The PLUS Loan is not based on financial need. The borrower must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and provide a valid Social Security number. The U.S. Department of Education will perform a credit check on the borrower.
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Are there any fees?
Each PLUS Loan is subject to an origination fee at the time of disbursement. The fee is used by the Department of Education to reduce the cost of this loan program. Interest rates and origination fees are updated annually. The current rates and fees may be found at StudentAid.gov.
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What is the interest rate on the PLUSLoan?
Interest rates and origination fees are updated annually. The current rates and fees may be found at StudentAid.gov.
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How much can I borrow?
The maximum amount a parent may borrow is the cost of attendance minus the student’s financial aid and other resources such as scholarships. Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, transportation, and personal expenses. The cost of attendance is used for financial aid purposes and it does not reflect the amount the student will be billed. The student will be billed per the most recent tuition and fees. You may calculate how much you can borrow through the PLUS Loan using the formula below.
Cost of attendance* - Financial Aid* - other funds received (scholarships) = maximum you could borrow in PLUS
* Cost of attendance and Financial Aid may both be found on the student’s annual financial aid offer and in PASS.
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How is the PLUS Loan disbursed?
PLUS Loan funds will be directly credited to the student’s account. A full-year loan will be disbursed equally fall and spring.
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What if I borrow more than my student's bill? What happens to the excess funds?
If the PLUS Loan proceeds create a refund, the UW-Platteville Cashier’s Office will send the excess funds to the parent.
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When do I begin repaying the PLUS Loan?
Repayment of interest and principal begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. The standard repayment period is 10 years; however, there is a minimum repayment of $50 per month. You may request that repayment be delayed while your student is enrolled at least half time and during the six-month period after your student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half time. You must contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 800.557.7394 to request a postponement of payment. Parents should wait until the first disbursement of the loan to make this call. Interest does accrue on your loan during this time.
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What if the parent is denied a PLUS Loan?
If the parent is denied the PLUS Loan due to adverse credit history, the student may be eligible to borrow using an Unsubsidized Direct Loan.