Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program
Parent Borrowers:
Parents of dependent undergraduate students may be eligible to apply to borrow under
the Direct PLUS Loan Program for Parent Borrowers. Interest is a fixed rate. Students whose parents apply for these loans are required to complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Loans are credit based. Students whose parents are denied for the Parent PLUS Loan may
be eligible for an additional unsubsidized loan for the academic year. Learn more
and apply at studentaid.gov.
*See the "How much can I borrow" tab for changes to Parent Direct PLUS Loans as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
*Please note that we are actively monitoring this legislation and will make updates to this page as they become available.
Who can apply?
- Important: The parent (not the student) must provide their personal information and StudentAid.gov account information as the borrower.
How do I apply to receive a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan?
- Step 1: Sign in to studentaid.gov with your (the parent) StudentAid.gov account
- Step 2: Complete and submit the online application
*Note: Parents who apply for PLUS loans for the summer should use the application for the current academic year. For example, if you want to apply for a loan for the Summer of 2026, fill out the 2025-2026 application.
- Step 3: If you are approved, complete and submit the Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov
What are the eligibility requirements for Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans?
- The student must complete a FAFSA
- Student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits)
Students and Borrowers Must:
- Be U.S. citizen's or eligible non-citizen's
- Not be in default on a federal student loan
- Not owe a refund on a federal education grant
How much can I borrow?
- For parents who borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan prior to July 1, 2026:
Students who had a Federal Direct Loan disburse prior to July 1, 2026 and parents who had a Parent PLUS Loan disburse prior to July 1, 2026 whose student is still enrolled in the same degree program they were when they borrowed the Federal Direct Loan/Parent PLUS Loan may continue to borrow up to their student's Cost of Attendance (COA) and will not be subject to a lifetime limit for that child for the lesser of three years, or their published program length minus time enrolled (expected time to credential). Parents of students who have exceeded their expected time to credential will not be able to borrow under the old limits.
- For parents who did not borrow a Parent PLUS Loan prior to July 1, 2026:
Parents who did not borrow a Parent PLUS Loan prior to July 1, 2026 will be able to borrow up to $20,000 per academic year, per child and up to $65,000 per child in their lifetime.
You can determine the amount to borrow for the academic year by accessing the Bill Estimator and reviewing your student's financial aid offer on their goStockton portal.
You will receive the loan amount minus an origination fee.
- The loan will be disbursed in two equal payments, half in the fall, half in the spring unless otherwise noted in the application.
Who do I contact with questions about my Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan or deferment?
For questions about your Federal Direct PLUS loan and deferment, contact Direct Loan Servicing at (800) 848-0979.
Graduate or Professional Students:
*The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) completely eliminates the Graduate PLUS Loan program for new borrowers beginning July 1, 2026.
*Please note that we are actively monitoring this legislation and will make updates to this page as they become available.
If you borrowed any type of Federal Direct Loan for the degree program in which you are currently enrolled before July 1, 2026:
Anyone who borrowed a Federal Direct Loan of any kind during their current degree program and prior to July 1, 2026 who has not exceeded their expected time to credential may borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan for the lesser of three years, or their published program length minus time enrolled (expected time to credential). Students who have exceeded their expected time to credential will not be able to borrow under the old limits.
If you did not borrow any type of Federal Direct Loan for the degree program in which you are currently enrolled before July 1, 2026:
Anyone who did not borrow a Federal Direct Loan of any kind for the degree program in which they are currently enrolled before July 1, 2026 is not eligible to borrow a Graduate PLUS loan after July 1, 2026.
Other options to help cover costs for students who are unable to borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan include:
- Borrowing Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Borrowing private loans
- Applying for scholarships
- Utilizing payment plans
Explore additional sources of financial aid for graduate students at stockton.edu/finaid.
If you're eligible to borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan:
Graduate students who previously borrowed a Federal Direct Loan of any kind during their current degree program and prior to July 1, 2026 may borrow a Graduate PLUS loan for up to three additional academic years or until they complete their program, whichever comes first. If eligible and approved, these students borrow under the PLUS Loan program up to their cost of attendance minus other financial assistance. Students can apply by logging into studentaid.gov and completing the application. Applicants for these loans are required to complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Learn more and apply at studentaid.gov.
Eligibility is based on credit. An endorser may be required for some loans to be approved.
Learn more below and apply at studentaid.gov.
Who can apply?
- To learn more about graduate studies at Stockton University, visit stockton.edu/graduate
How do I apply to receive a Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan?
- Step 1: Sign in to studentaid.gov with your StudentAid.gov account
- Step 2: Complete and submit the online application
*Note: Students who apply for PLUS loans for the summer should use the application for the current academic year. For example, if you want to apply for a loan for the Summer of 2025, fill out the 2024-2025 application.
- Step 3: If you are approved, complete and submit the Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov
What are the eligibility requirements for Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans?
- The student must complete a FAFSA
- Student must be enrolled at least half-time (5 credits)
Students and Borrowers Must:
- Be U.S. citizen's or eligible non-citizen's
- Not be in default on a federal student loan
- Not owe a refund on a federal education grant
How do I determine the amount to borrow?
Determine the amount to borrow for the academic year by accessing the Bill Estimator
*If you do not indicate how much you want to borrow, your loan amount will be the maximum amount allowable by the institution. You will receive the loan amount minus an origination fee.
- The loan will be disbursed in two equal payments, half in the fall, half in the spring unless otherwise noted in the application
Who do I contact with questions about my Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan or deferment?
For questions about your Federal Direct PLUS loan and deferment, contact Direct Loan Servicing at (800) 848-0979
