Parent PLUS Loans are borrowed funding that parent(s) of dependent Undergraduate students (23 or younger) can use to help pay for college or career school as provided by the U.S. Department Of Education (DOE). These Loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid.
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How do I apply for a Parent PLUS Loan?
Loan Item(s) Processing Timeframe - 2 to 3 weeks after successful completion
For a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Parent PLUS Loan, please click on the guide provided right below.
1.) Vist studentaid.gov
2.) Find and click the tab that states "Parent (I want to help my child pay for college)"
3.) Under the Parent tab, select the "Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan" option
4.) Select the "Log In To Start" option to begin the application using the parent(s) studentaid.gov account
5.) If everything is done correctly, the parent applying will receive a confirmation at the end of the application that:
- The Parent PLUS Loan was successfully submitted
- The credit check was approved
Important Application Sections:
Award Year - Please review the academic year options that will be available for SF State for the Parent PLUS Loan application:
| Academic Year | Semesters |
|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Fall 2025, Spring 2026, & Summer 2026 |
| 2024-2025 | Fall 2024, Spring 2025, & Summer 2025 |
School Selection - Make sure to list San Francisco State University as the school. In case they ask for the school code: 001154
Loan Period - This section will confirm the academic year the Parent PLUS Loan will be used for and what months. In order to answer this section based on the student's dates of attendance, please review the table listed right below.
NOTE: Period listed is for the 2024-2025 school year (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, & Summer 2025)
| Semesters | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall/Spring | August 2024 | May 2025 |
| Summer | June 2025 | July 2025 |
Deferment - This section gives the parent the option to defer (Delay) the repayment of the Parent PLUS Loan. Select the "Yes" option to defer the repayment to 6 months after the student graduates or withdraws from school. If the "No" option is selected, Loan repayment will begin 60 days after the Loan disburses here at SF State.
Credit Option Balance - This section confirms who the Bursar's Office will issue refund to after all the charges are cleared with the student's account. This option cannot be changed after the application is successfully submitted. If it needs to be changed, the student will have to get in contact with our PLUS Loan Coordinator.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Apply for Parent PLUS Loan | The application process of the actual Parent PLUS Loan which will require a credit approval in order to be eligible for the funds. |
| Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Parent PLUS Loan |
A legally binding agreement in which the Parent promises repay all Direct PLUS Loans a they will receive under the designated MPN for the PLUS Loan. NOTE: A Parent PLUS Loan MPN is good for 10 years and will only need to be completed again if a different parent applies. |
Parent(s), feel free to use the demo links provided right below in order to get a preview of how the Loan application and MPN signing will go.
What happens if my Parents PLUS 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 Parent 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 Parent (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
There are a few factors that can cause a Parent to be ineligible for a Parent PLUS Loan:
- Poor credit score/history
- Parent is a non-eligible citizen or permanent resident
- Parent filed for bankruptcy
If a Dependent student is in need of additional funding but the Parent PLUS Loan is no longer an option due to the reasons listed above, they may submit a request for an Additional Unsubsidized Loan amount so that they may receive more funding based on their academic level.
| Academic Level | Amount (For the year) |
|---|---|
| Freshmen/Sophomore | $4,000 |
| Junior/Senior | $5,000 |
We highly recommend speaking to a Financial Aid Counselor with our office first before submitting this form. Please click on the link provided down below to complete the document.
No action will be taken by the school and the Parent PLUS Loan will never be awarded and disbursed for the designated school year requested.
Parent PLUS Loan Interest Rates & Fees
Interest rates and Loan origination fees are for the 2024-2025 school year (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, & Summer 2025).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Parent PLUS Loan Process
Unlike other types of financial aid, the Parent 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 Parent PLUS loan can replace all or a portion of the expected resources. If the student will not be receiving financial aid of any kind, the parent can borrow the full cost of attendance. On the other hand, the parent does not have to apply for the entire amount. The parent should calculate the amount they need. Please refer to the students Award Offer on the SF State Gateway for the amount of Parent PLUS Loan that you are eligible to borrow.
A student may complete a Parent PLUS Loan Change Request Form to increase/decrease amounts, cancel undisbursed amounts, and any other related action items regarding the PLUS Loan. We highly recommend speaking to a Financial Aid Counselor with our office first before submitting this form. Please click on the link provided down below to complete the document.
NOTE: Form is for the 2024-2025 school year (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, & Summer 2025)
Approval of a Parent PLUS Loan application does not commit the parent to accepting the loan. If approved, the parent must contact Office of Student Financial Aid to cancel or reduce the accepted Parent PLUS Loan amount.
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 parent may request an in-school deferment while the student is enrolled at least half time (6 undergraduate units). If the student drops to less than half time or withdraws during the period for which the loan was intended, the entire amount of the Parent PLUS Loan is immediately due.