Parent (PLUS) Loans, the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students
Parent (PLUS) Loans are a very easy and affordable way for parents to borrow up to the total cost of college for their child. Parent (PLUS) Loans are not a need-based loan, so just about everyone qualifies for a Parent (PLUS) Loan. Parent (PLUS) Loans are available for multiple students each year.
A low Federal interest rate of 8.50%.
Borrow up to 100% of college costs, less any financial aid awarded to student
No collateral required
Interest paid may be tax-deductible (check with your tax advisor)
Parent (PLUS) Loans allow parents to receive federally guaranteed loans at low interest rates to help pay for their child’s education. To be eligible for Parent (PLUS) Loans, the parent must be:
A biological, adoptive or step-parent of a dependent undergraduate student
A U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Able to meet Federal minimum standards of creditworthiness
In addition, students must be:
U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens
Less than 24 years of age as of December 31 of the academic school year
Unmarried with no dependents
Here are the Rates, Fees and Terms for Parent (PLUS) Loans
Since July 1st, 2006 all Parent (PLUS) Loans that are disbursed after July 1st, 2006 will have a low fixed interest rate of 8.50%, any Parent (PLUS) Loans disbursed prior to that date will remain variable.
Parent (PLUS) Loans have a low fixed rate of 8.50%. For any Parent (PLUS) Loans disbursed before July 1st, 2006 check to see how Federal Parent (PLUS) Loan Consolidation can lock in the rate on any existing Parent (PLUS) Loans for the life of the loan.
The interest rate on Parent (PLUS) Loans are capped at 9.00% for the borrower for the life of the loan, so when the interest rates rise above 9%, the government will pay the additional interest to the lender.
Parent (PLUS) Loans currently have a 3.00% government origination fee and a 1.00% guarantee fee (which may be waived by the guarantor). Fees are taken out of the proceeds of the loan, so there is no out-of-pocket cost to the parent for the Parent (PLUS) Loan.
Repayment terms are usually 10 years for a Parent (PLUS) Loan. A level repayment schedule begins within 60 days after the final disbursement is made to the student. Since funds are disbursed at the beginning of each semester, repayment typically begins around March.