PLUS Loans for Graduate School

• be a graduate or professional student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school in a program leading to a graduate or professional degree or certificate;

• not have an adverse credit history (unless you meet certain additional eligibility requirements); and 

• meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid. 

Unlike PLUS loans made to parents, PLUS loans made to students are eligible for repayment plans without needing to consolidate.  

Learn more about repayment options available for PLUS Loans made to students 

A credit check will be completed during the application process of a Grad PLUS Loan. If you have an adverse credit history, then you will receive a Grad PLUS Loan through one of these two options:  

1. Obtain an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone like a co-signer, who agrees to pay the Grad PLUS Loan if you do not repay it.  

2. Documenting to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances relating to your adverse credit history, such as the information causing the adverse credit decision is incorrect or provide a statement that contains an explanation of the extenuating circumstances with documentation that supports your claim. 

With either option 1 or 2, the borrower must also complete credit counseling for PLUS loan borrower.