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Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans are fixed-rate loans available to parents of degree-seeking dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time in courses that are degree-applicable. The annual limit on a Parent PLUS loan is equal to the student's cost of attendance minus any other financial aid the student receives. For example, if the cost of attendance is $40,000 and the student receives $22,000 in other financial aid, the student's parent can request up to $18,000.

Note 1: The SAME PARENT MUST complete steps 3-5 below when applying for a Parent PLUS loan.

Note 2: Step 1 is required each year; while steps 2, 3, and 5 must be completed for each PLUS loan. Step 4 is generally a one time process.

1. Have Your Student Complete the FAFSA

Your student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine loan eligibility.

2. Have your Student Record his/her eAward Decision

Have your student access his/her financial aid information from myCU.

  • Select the aid year that you wish to review at the 'Select an Award Year' field.
  • Click on ‘Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package’ under the Checklist section.
    • NOTE: All the steps on the checklist prior to this must be completed first.
  • Review the direct loans that are part of your financial aid package and record your decision.
    • NOTE: For the Parent PLUS loan, be sure to have the borrowing parent complete step #5 in order for the Parent PLUS loan to reflect the desired amount and term on your Self-Service Financial Aid account.
  • After you ‘Accept’ or ‘Decline’ the loan(s), you will be able to see the immediate changes in your eAward.
    • NOTE: If, at a later date, you change your mind regarding an ‘Accepted’ or ‘Declined’ loan, you CANNOT change it in your Self-Service account. To change the loan status OR amount, please review our FAQ on Loans (Types, Fees, Limits, Repayment) page for further instructions.

3. Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan

Reminder: The SAME PARENT MUST complete steps 3-5. Failure to do so will result in delayed processing and possible late fees and interest applied to the student’s bill.

Beginning late April for the upcoming academic year, you will log in to studentaid.gov using your parent FSA ID to  Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan each time you decide to borrow.

  • Applying for a PLUS Loan triggers a basic credit check
  • Once the PLUS application is submitted, you will immediately receive a credit decision of either 'Accepted' or 'Declined.'

Notes: The comments below are to help provide clarification on questions within the Parent PLUS Application.

  • Deferment of the loan: If a parent answers “yes” to defer repayment on the PLUS loan and “yes” to defer for six months, then the loan will not enter repayment until six months after the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half-time. If a parent answers “no” to defer repayment, then the loan will enter repayment as soon as the full loan amount is disbursed.
  • Amount requested: Select “maximum amount.” The official loan amount utilized by the Financial Aid Office is determined by the PLUS Authorization Form (step 5), not the PLUS Application. To change the initial requested amount of the PLUS loan after the Authorization Form is submitted, please refer to “FAQs on Loans.”
  • Credit balance refund: The "credit balance refund” question on the Parent PLUS Application is not used by Cedarville. The credit balance refund, whether to the parent or the student, must be set up with the Cashier’s Office with the appropriate banking information on where the funds are sent.

    4. Complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note

    Reminder: The SAME PARENT MUST complete steps 3-5. Failure to do so will result in delayed processing and possible late fees and interest applied to the student’s bill.

    If you received an 'Accepted' credit decision when applying for a PLUS loan, you must also complete the Parent PLUS MPN at studentaid.gov.

    Note: A Parent PLUS MPN is both parent and student specific and is normally good for 10 years.

    5. Complete Cedarville's Parent PLUS Authorization Form

    Reminder: The SAME PARENT MUST complete steps 3-5. Failure to do so will result in delayed processing and possible late fees and interest applied to the student’s bill.

    Complete Cedarville's Parent PLUS Authorization Form to specify the student, loan amount, and loan term(s) for your requested Parent PLUS loan.