Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is available to parents of dependent undergraduate students to help cover direct and indirect costs not covered by other financial aid.

Eligibility

The student must meet federal and institutional eligibility requirements and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for a parent to be eligible to borrow a PLUS loan.

The parent must:

be the biological/adoptive (custodial or non-custodial) parent or step-parent (step-parent must be listed on the FAFSA);
be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (permanent resident);
not be in default on repayment of federal aid;
must not have federal loans in an active discharge status, and consent to, and
pass a credit check by the U.S. Department of Education.

Your debt-to-income ratio and employment status are not considered; however, adverse credit typically results in a PLUS loan denial. Additional information about the credit approval process, including adverse credit, credit appeals, and endorser use, is available online.

If a parent is denied a PLUS loan and opts not to secure an endorser or appeal the credit decision, the student becomes eligible for increased unsubsidized federal Direct loan limits (add $4,000 for Freshmen and Sophomores; add $5,000 for Juniors and Seniors). Only one parent needs to apply and be denied a PLUS loan. However, if one parent is denied and the other parent applies and is approved for the loan, the student is not eligible for increased Unsubsidized Direct loan limits.

Loan Periods

Students are charged tuition, fees, housing, and meals by term (fall and spring). We strongly encourage you to request a fall/spring loan if your student plans to attend both terms. Funds for a spring term are not disbursed until the fees are due in early January so interest does not accrue on funds that have not been disbursed.

Interest Rates and Loan Fees

The interest rate on loans disbursed between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, is 9.07%.

PLUS loans carry a loan fee deducted from the gross loan proceeds. The loan fee for PLUS loans is 4.228%. For example, the net proceeds on a $10,000 loan would be $9,577. Due to federal sequestration, the loan fee may change after October 1, 2026.

How to Apply

Step 1 of 2 - The Parent borrower should complete the PLUS loan application at studentaid.gov. The parent borrower will need to log in with the FSA ID issued to the parent. If you do not have an FSA ID you can sign up at studentaid.gov.Once logged in 'Apply for Aid' and 'Apply for a Parent PLUS loan'. Follow the application instructions through to the end and submit. You will receive a decision within a few minutes.
Step 2 of 2 - Complete PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) immediately following loan approval.
Our office will receive electronic notification of your loan application and completion of the MPN.

How Much Should I Borrow?

Beginning with the 2026–27 academic year, new undergraduate Federal Direct Loan borrowers will be subject to annual and lifetime federal borrowing limits established under OB3. Current guidance limits Parent PLUS Loan borrowers to no more than $20,000 per academic year and $65,000 total over the course of undergraduate enrollment.

Because these limits apply across all years of undergraduate study, students who anticipate borrowing annually should carefully consider how much eligibility they may need in future years. Borrowing approximately $16,250 or less per year may help preserve remaining eligibility through graduation.

The Student Financial Services staff is available to help you determine an appropriate borrowing amount based on your educational costs and long-term repayment considerations.

Once all loan requirements are completed, our office will send a confirmation email from o-financialaid@coe.edu with your finalized loan amount.

Can I increase or decrease my loan?

Yes, you can increase your loan by contacting our office, but note that we can only do so within your eligibility limits. Use the parent portal at my.coe.edu (if your student has granted you access) to review your student's account statement and determine whether you need to adjust your loan amount.

How are loan proceeds paid?

Loan proceeds are applied directly to the student account by the Coe College Office of Financial Aid, provided that all administrative requirements have been met. A loan for two terms will be divided in half. We will send an email to the address you provide on the Parent Loan application to let you know that the loan is approved and the final loan amount. Please review this email and contact our office with any questions.

Can I use Parent PLUS Loan funds for non-billed Coe charges such as books and travel expenses?

Yes, you can use the Parent Loan to cover charges that the college does not bill. However, it is important to account for the timing of the loan disbursement, any outside scholarships, and unearned work-study when calculating how much you must borrow to generate the refund you need. The Office of Financial Aid will help you weigh the amount you plan to borrow against your expected charges to ensure you borrow enough. We strongly suggest you complete an ACH Authorization Form so your refund can be issued by direct deposit. This can be especially important if you borrow to cover the cost of books and other course materials at the beginning of the semester. The other choice is for the Coe Student Accounts Office to cut a paper check and mail it to the refund recipient.

When do I begin repaying my PLUS Loan?

Repayment of the Parent (PLUS) loan begins within 60 days of the full disbursement of the loan. Information about repayment terms and timing will be provided to you by your federal loan servicer. Repayments are made directly to the loan servicer. Borrowers generally have 10 to 25 years to repay the Parent PLUS Loan. To calculate estimated loan payments, use the Direct Loan Repayment Calculator. Additional information is also available on the Federal Student Aid website under Repayment.

Can I Defer Repayment of my Parent PLUS Loan?

It is possible to delay (defer) loan repayment until after your student is no longer enrolled at least half-time (two course credits). Generally, the request for deferment is made at the time of application and confirmed with the loan servicer. The parent borrower also has the option to request an additional six-month post-enrollment deferment after the student drops below half-time, graduates, or withdraws. Parents must request separate deferments through their federal loan servicer for each loan period. You may make interest payments during deferment periods without penalty for early repayment.

Compare the PLUS loan and Alternative Educational Loan Programs

Many students and families need to borrow additional funds to meet the cost of education. The decision becomes whether to borrow through the Parent Loan or a private student loan program.

Fast Facts about Parent Loans vs. Private Student Loans

Parent Loans have a fixed interest rate (8.94% for the 2025-26 academic year). Private student loans may have a fixed interest rate but most likely have a variable rate that is "capped" well beyond the parent loan rate.
Parent Loans cannot be transferred to the student's name, however, a parent is equally liable for a co-signed private student loan.
Parent and most private student loans can both be deferred from payment (not from interest accrued) while the student is in school.
Parent loans require that you pass a credit check. Private alternative loans will require a more thorough credit screening.
Accrued interest on a Parent loan will capitalize at repayment. Private alternative loans may capitalize interest as often as quarterly.
Parent loans are federally insured against the death or disability of the parent or student. Private alternative loans may be insured, but many are not.

Our office is not able to recommend a specific lender to you. However, for your convenience, we can provide you with information about historical borrowing trends at Coe College.

Loans that require "certification" from the college will generally offer you better terms and disburse funds directly to the college. Our office is committed to working with whatever financing option best suits your needs.

Additional information about choosing a loan that is right for you is available from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.