Forms

What is the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS? 
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan enables a graduate student to borrow money for educational expenses. You must be enrolled at least half-time. It is available through the Federal Direct Loan Program at WMU. The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is additional assistance beyond the Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan Program.

Offer eligibility is based on the information supplied on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The maximum amount you may borrow is based on the cost of attendance for the loan period minus other estimated assistance, including eligibility for the Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan Program. However, applicants are encouraged to borrow the minimum amount needed to cover your actual costs. Estimate COA using our cost of attendance calculator.

Who may borrow a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan? 
The borrower of a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is the student if they are admitted to a graduate degree-granting program, are enrolled at least half-time and do not have adverse credit history.

How do I apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan? 
First, complete the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan application. The fall, spring and summer I application is available at studentaid.gov and the summer II application is available at wmich.studentforms.com. Then, complete the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at studentaid.gov. The MPN is required of all first-time borrowers, unless otherwise notified. The Federal Direct Loan Servicer will complete a credit check on the borrower.

What if I don’t pass the credit check? 
If you don’t pass the credit check, you will be notified in writing by the Federal Direct Loan Servicing Center and they will indicate that you have the following options:

• Appeal: If you think there may be an error in how the credit worthiness was determined.
• Endorsement: You may obtain someone else who does not have adverse credit history to endorse the loan. This person would be responsible to repay the loan if you are unable to make the payments.

Who receives the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan funds? 
WMU receives the funds from the federal government. We will apply the Federal Grad PLUS Loan (and any other financial aid the student is receiving) to the direct educational charges on the student’s account (usually tuition, fees, housing and food) and then to other authorized charges. If any funds remain after the student’s bill is paid, a refund will be sent to the student.

How do I repay the loan? 
After you have accepted the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, a “Disclosure Statement” will be sent to you by the Department of Education indicating the amount you are borrowing, the loan period and the loan fees. The repayment period begins on the date of the final loan disbursement for the loan period and the first payment is due within 60 days after the day the loan is fully disbursed. Interest begins to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made. For more information about your loan account, interest rates or repayment plans, visit studentaid.gov or call the Direct Loan Servicing Center at (800) 848-0979.

Am I eligible for a postponement of payments if I am enrolled at least half-time? 
Yes, if you are enrolled on at least a half-time basis at an eligible school, payments may be postponed. You must apply for an In-School Deferment from the Direct Loan Servicing Center. To apply for a deferment contact Direct Loan Servicing by telephone, (800) 848-0979 The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan enables a graduate student to borrow money for educational expenses. You must be enrolled at least half-time. It is available through the Federal Direct Loan Program at WMU. The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is additional assistance beyond the Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan Program.

Offer eligibility is based on the information supplied on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The maximum amount you may borrow is based on the cost of attendance for the loan period minus other estimated assistance, including eligibility for the Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan Program. However, applicants are encouraged to borrow the minimum amount needed to cover your actual costs.

To apply for the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, the parent borrower must fill out the online application. The fall, spring and summer I application is available at studentaid.gov and the summer II application is available at wmich.edu/finaid/forms. 

What is the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan? 
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan enables a parent or stepparent to borrow to pay the educational expenses of a child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time. Applicants are encouraged to borrow the minimum amount needed to cover actual costs. Eligibility is determined by subtracting the student’s total financial aid and resources from the cost of attendance. 

Who may borrow a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan? 
To borrow a Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan for a student, the parent must be the student’s biological or adoptive mother or father. Both parents may get a Parent PLUS Loan as long as the total aid package does not exceed the student’s cost of attendance. A stepparent is also eligible to borrow a Parent PLUS Loan if his/her income and assets were reported on the FAFSA. A legal guardian is not considered a parent for financial aid purposes. 

What if I don’t pass the credit check? 
If you don’t pass the credit check, you will be notified in writing by the Federal Loan Servicing Center, and they will indicate that you have the following options: 

• Appeal: If you think there may be an error in how the credit worthiness was determined.
• Endorsement: You may obtain someone else to endorse the loan. This person would be responsible to repay the loan if you are unable to make the payments.
• Reconsideration: You may be notified by the Department of Education that you are eligible to request reconsideration after a denial. If you proceed with reconsideration and are approved, you must notify our office.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: Your undergraduate student can request additional loan funds (maximum $4,000 for freshmen and sophomores, $5,000 for juniors and seniors) by completing the financial aid adjustment form located at wmich.studentforms.com. The additional loan is available to your student only if the Parent PLUS Loan is denied due to an adverse credit check. 

How will the loan be paid to my student’s account? 
The loan will be divided equally between the semesters that the loan covers. 

Can I postpone payments? 
Yes, if your student is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school, payments may be postponed. You must apply for an In-School Deferment from the Loan Servicing Center. To apply for a deferment contact the loan servicer that is assigned to your loan. 

Who receives the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan funds? 
Western Michigan University will receive the funds and apply them (and any other financial aid your student is receiving) to the charges on your student’s account (usually tuition, fees, housing and food). If any funds remain after your student’s bill is paid, a refund will be sent to the parent or the student (depending upon the refund option selected by you on the Parent PLUS Loan application and the order in which the aid is paid to your student’s account). This refund is processed by the WMU business office. Students may receive a refund via direct deposit if they have signed up for it. Parents receive a refund electronically or paper check in the mail. Repayment information After you have accepted the Parent PLUS Loan, a “Disclosure Statement” will be sent to you by the Department of Education indicating the amount you are borrowing, the loan period and the loan fees. Repayment of principal and interest begins 60 days after the final loan disbursement for the academic year. Interest begins to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made.