Graduate PLUS Loan

PLEASE NOTE: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, through the budget reconciliation process. This legislation contains provisions that reshape student financial aid, including significant changes to the federal student loan programs, most of which become effective for periods of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 2026.

The information provided by Widener Law Commonwealth's Financial Aid Office represents the best information available at this time. It is based on our current understanding of the changing federal loan regulations and should not be considered official guidance. Please refer to federal government sources for all official rules and regulations. See studentaid.gov for more information. Updated 2/25/26

GradPLUS Loan for Returning/Legacy* Students

*Legacy students are those that borrowed a Federal Direct loan in the same degree program prior to July 1, 2026.

The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans available to eligible graduate or professional students. A Direct PLUS Loan is commonly referred to as a grad PLUS loan when made to a graduate or professional student. PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Details on the Grad PLUS Loan can be found at studentaid.gov. 

Returning/Legacy* students may apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan after May 1, 2026. As part of the application process, you will authorize a credit check. This loan is credit-based. It is based on credit history, not credit score or debt to income. Note: The credit check may expire and funds may not be disbursed without an additional credit check if the application is completed prior to May 1.

The GradPLUS loan application and MPN can be found at studentaid.gov. You will need your FSA User ID and password to e-sign the note.

If you have placed a security freeze on your credit file, you must lift or remove the freeze at each credit bureau before you continue. Your application will not be processed if you have a security freeze on your credit file.

If approved for a Grad PLUS Loan, you will need to complete a PLUS MPN (using your FAFSA login information). If you are denied, you will have the option to obtain an endorser. If obtaining an endorser, you will also have to complete Credit Counseling.

The maximum PLUS loan amount you can borrow is the cost of attendance (determined by the Financial Aid Office) minus any other financial assistance you receive.

For Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2025, and before July 1, 2026, the interest rate is 8.94%. This is a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan. There is also a loan fee of 4.228%, which will be deducted from the loan disbursement.

A new PLUS loan application will need to be completed each academic year.

The PLUS application will request the amount that you wish to borrow. If you choose the “maximum” amount, then we will determine the amount you are eligible for up to your Cost of Attendance and process that amount. We highly recommend borrowing as little as needed, but we do understand you may need the funds to assist with living expenses as well. If you need assistance calculating the exact amount that you need, please email the Financial Aid Office.

The PLUS application will also request the loan period for which you choose to borrow. Please be sure to enter the correct term that you are applying for. If you are borrowing for Fall 2026 – Spring 2027, please enter August 2026 – May 2027 (this is not an option if you are borrowing any Federal Direct Loans for the Summer – must be processed by term).

Once we have an approved PLUS application and PLUS MPN, we can process your loan amount requested and will send you a revised Financial Aid Offer Notification. The Financial Aid Office will reach out if there are any questions.