Federal PLUS loan

Parents of dependent students can borrow a PLUS Loan to help pay education expenses of an undergraduate student enrolled at least half time in an eligible program at an eligible school. PLUS Loans are available through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. An acceptable credit history is a requirement to receive a PLUS loan.
Applying for a Federal PLUS Loan
While filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is technically not a requirement to receive a PLUS loan, most schools do require a FAFSA be filed before they will certify a PLUS. We always recommend families file a FAFSA whether you think you will qualify for federal assistance or not.
If the school is a Direct Loan school, a parent will need to contact the school directly in order to receive the loan. Funds for "Direct Loans" come directly from the federal government.
If the school (and most are) is a FFEL school, you will need to obtain your loan through a bank or lender. Your school may provide a list of lenders to help you narrow your choices. However, you may choose any lender you wish including lenders in our LoanFinder. Compare your options before you borrow. Many lenders offer repayment incentives that can lower the cost of a PLUS loan.