Graduate PLUS Loans are borrowed funding that Graduate students can use to help pay for college or career school. These Loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid.
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The application process of the actual Graduate PLUS Loan which will require a credit approval in order to be eligible for the funds. |
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| A legally binding agreement in which the student promises repay all Direct PLUS Loans a they will receive under the designated MPN for the PLUS Loan. | |
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Entrance Loan Counseling for Graduate PLUS Loans (For FIRST time borrowers only) |
A module overview of how the Graduate PLUS Loan process works - What a Loan is, how interest works, options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. |
Manually accepted Loans will trigger additional items to complete on a student’s To Do List located in their SF State Gateway or Student Center. For Graduate PLUS Loans, these are the items students must complete as they will appear on there.
As confirmed by Federal Student Aid (FSA), listed below are the Interest rates and Loan origination fees for the 2024-2025 school year (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, & Summer 2025).
What happens if my Graduate PLUS Loan application is denied?
- Appeal the decision by calling Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1 (800) 557-7394.
- If the appeal is approved, the student must complete an additional loan counseling known as PLUS Credit Counseling. This is a requirement if they had an adverse credit history but were able to document extenuating circumstances to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education.
- Go to studentaid.gov and log in with your student FSA User ID & Password.
- Once logged in, click on "Complete PLUS Credit Counseling."
- Secure an endorser willing to co-sign the Graduate PLUS Loan.
- The endorser will create an FSA User ID & Password.
- Have the endorser complete an Endorser Addendum while logged in with their FSA credentials
- If the endorser is approved, the student (borrower) must complete an additional loan counseling, known as PLUS Credit Counseling. This is a requirement if they had an adverse credit history but were able to obtain an endorser.
No action will be taken by the school and the Graduate PLUS Loan will never disburse for the designated school year.
Additional FAQs for Graduate PLUS Loan Process
How to Apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan:
- Complete a 2024-2025 FAFSA
- Make sure all financial aid related items on the student's To Do List on their SF State Gateway are completed and cleared
- Go to https://studentaid.gov/
- Borrower will need to complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application
- Borrower will also need to complete the appropriate PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Allow 2-3 weeks for the Loan application and MPN to be processed.
Unlike other types of financial aid, the Graduate PLUS Loan is not need-based. The maximum eligibility amount is determined by the Student's Cost of Attendance minus any financial aid that the student has been awarded and accepted. The Graduate PLUS Loan can replace all or a portion of the expected resources. If the student is not receiving financial aid of any kind, the student can borrow the total cost of attendance. Students do not have to apply for the entire amount. Students should calculate the amount they need. Please refer to your Financial Aid award offer on the SF State Gateway for the amount of Graduate PLUS Loan that you are eligible to borrow.
Approval of a Graduate PLUS Loan application does not commit you to accept the loan. If approved, you must contact the Office of Student Financial Aid should you want to cancel or reduce the accepted Graduate PLUS Loan amount.
The Graduate PLUS Loan is disbursed to the student. If the loan is a full-year loan, the loan will be disbursed half in the Fall and half in the Spring. If the loan is for one semester, the loan will be disbursed in one disbursement. If the student owes money to San Francisco State University, the university deducts all financial obligations and forwards the balance check to the student or initiates a direct deposit. We encourage students to sign up for direct deposit at Student Center. Click on Enroll In Direct Deposit.
Repayment and interest will apply to funds after the loan has been disbursed. The first payment of interest and principal are due within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. The student can defer payment while enrolled at least half-time (4 graduate units). Interest that accrues will be capitalized if not paid by the student.