Direct Grad PLUS Loans are fixed-interest, federal loans available to graduate students to assist with educational expenses. 

Loan funds are disbursed by the Department of Education to the University approximately 10 days before the start of classes each semester. The loans are typically divided equally between fall and spring semesters. Depending on the program, loans can be split between summer, fall, and spring semesters.

To be eligible to receive Direct Grad PLUS Loan funds students must: 

• Have a valid FAFSA on file for the current academic year.
• Be enrolled in at least 6 credits for a graduate-level program for each term they borrow loan funds for. 
• Have already accepted or exhausted their full Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility. 
• Pass a simplified credit check. The Department of Education doesn't specify a credit score but requires the absence of an adverse credit history. 

1. Complete the FAFSA (UMB School Code: 002104).
2. Once the aid offer is available, accept loan amount in SURFS
3. Fill out the Online Direct Loan Request Form. 
4. Complete Entrance Counseling
5. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN). Students who have accepted Grad PLUS loan funds must complete a new MPN each academic year. 

Students are not required to complete the Grad PLUS application online through Federal Student Aid. However, if you have placed a security freeze on your credit, you must lift or remove the freeze with all three credit bureaus before your loan can be processed. 

The maximum amount a student may borrow in Grad PLUS loan funds each academic year is determined by their cost of attendance and the amount of other financial assistance they are expecting to receive.

There is no aggregate limit for the Grad PLUS loan.

Interest begins to accrue upon disbursement of the loan, and is calculated on a daily basis by your loan servicer. Origination fees also apply, meaning a portion of the loan amount is deducted upfront to cover administrative costs.

¹For the loan period 7/01/2024 - 6/30/2025

Students who are denied the Grad PLUS Loan based on their credit will receive a email from the Department of Education notifying them of the decision. Some of the reasons for a denial include (but are not limited to): 

• Current delinquency of 90 days or more, including unpaid collection accounts and charge-offs.
• Default within the past five years or a defaulted loan that has been claim paid.
• Bankruptcy (Chapter 7, 11, and 12) within the past five years (Chapter 13 is acceptable).
• Discharge, foreclosure, foreclosure proceedings, deed in lieu of foreclosure, lease or contract termination by default, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, voluntary surrender, or write off of Title IV debt in the past five years.

Appeal Options

If you are denied, there are two options available to still borrow Grad PLUS loan funds:

Appeal the Credit Decision

The Department of Education allows borrowers whose credit was denied the opportunity to document either of the following situations: 

• Information showing that credit reporting used in the credit denial is incorrect and/or has been corrected.
• Extenuating circumstances exist relating to the adverse credit history. 

Obtain an Endorser

An endorser is someone who does not have an adverse credit history and agrees to repay the loan if the borrower does not repay it. The endorser must be 18 years of age or older and must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. 

Students who opt to appeal the decision or obtain an endorser must also complete PLUS Credit Counseling.