PLUS Loan for Graduate
A Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan is an unsubsidized loan available to graduate students.
Graduate PLUS Loan Application Requirements
- You must attend at least half-time (6 hours)
- You must have good credit history. (If you have weak credit you may be eligible with a credit-worthy co-borrower or by documenting extenuating circumstances)
- You must complete the FAFSA
Application Process
Applying for a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a four-step process
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application online. The U.S. Department of Education will complete a credit check. UHCL will receive your online application and credit decision within a week.
- Complete Direct Graduate PLUS Loan entrance counseling
- Complete the Master Promissory Note - MPN for Direct PLUS
The MPN acts as a contract between you and the U.S. Department of Education. By signing the MPN, you promise to repay the amount loaned and agree to other important terms of the loan. You must complete the MPN before we can apply the funds to your account.
Adverse Credit
PLUS Counseling is required if the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has informed you that you have an adverse credit history and you have obtained an endorser or documented to the satisfaction of the U.S. DOE that there are extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history. PLUS Counseling can be completed at the Federal Student Aid website.
PLUS Loan Repayment
- Repayment begins 6 months after you fall below a half-time enrollment status.
- The repayment term is up to 10 years
- There is no grace period. Interest starts when the first disbursement is made.
PLUS Loan Borrowing Limits
With a PLUS loan, you can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid awarded.
Interest Rate
| Loan Type | First Disbursed between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (for Undergraduate Students) | Fixed at 6.53% |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans (for Graduate or Professional Students) | Fixed at 8.08% |
| Direct PLUS Loans (Parents and Graduate or Professional Students) | Fixed at 9.08% |
Origination Fees
In addition to charging interest, PLUS loans also charge a 4.228% origination fee. The fee comes out of the first funds you receive from your loan.
Receiving your money
Your loan money will be applied to your student account. We deduct tuition, fees and/or other balances. If there’s anything left over we refund it to you according to the university's refund process.