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William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
Direct PLUS Loan

Program Description

The Direct PLUS Loan is a credit-worthy loan for the parent or legal guardian of a dependent student (Direct PLUS) or a graduate student (Direct Graduate PLUS) who has borrowed the maximum amount of Direct Loan assistance. The loan is available to students regardless of the level of financial need. Direct Loans are funded by the U.S. Department of Education through Villanova University and are managed by federal loan servicers, under the supervision of the Department of Education.  If you are a dependent student, your parent(s) can borrow up to your cost of education less all other financial aid received. Graduate students are also eligible to borrow up to their total cost of education less all other financial aid received. Direct PLUS Loans are not based on need but rather the borrower's creditworthiness.

Villanova parents who wish to apply only for a Direct PLUS Loan for the 2011-2012 academic year are required to complete the FAFSA.

Loan Amounts

Parents and Graduate students can borrow up to an amount equal to the cost of attending Villanova, less any other financial aid received. This would include grants, scholarships, and other loans including the Direct Loan. Since interest is not paid by the Federal Government, family income has no impact on how much you can borrow.

Lender

Direct PLUS and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are funded by the U.S. Department of Education through Villanova University. Under the supervision of the Department of Education, the following servicers are assigned to manage all Direct Loans:

  • NelNet
  • Sallie Mae
  • Great Lakes
  • ACS
  • FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA)

One to two weeks after the first disbursement, parents/students will receive a mailing notifying them of their selected loan servicer.

Fees

Fees are deducted from the loan funds and are included in the amount a parent will pay back. The U.S. Department of Education charges a loan fee of 4% of the principal amount of each Direct PLUS Loan. This fee is deducted proportionately from each disbursement of your loan.

Interest Rates

All loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 will be subject to a fixed interest rate of 7.9%.

Repayment

For parents of dependent undergraduate students, repayment normally begins within 60 days after the loan has been fully disbursed. Parents may request an in-school deferment of repayment until after the student's graduation.

Graduate students will automatically receive an in-school deferment while they are enrolled at least half-time. Once you graduate, or drop below half-time status, repayment will begin within 60 days after your enrollment status has changed.

Direct PLUS Endorser Alternative

An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Direct PLUS Loan if the borrower does not repay the loan. The endorser may not be the student on whose behalf a parent obtains a Direct PLUS Loan. In some cases, you may also be able to obtain a Direct PLUS Loan if you document to the Department of Education's satisfaction that there are extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history.

Master Promissory Note

All borrowers seeking a Direct PLUS or Graduate PLUS Loan must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) with the U.S. Department of Education. Through a Direct PLUS Loan MPN, you may receive multiple PLUS loans over a maximum 10 year period. You have to complete the promissory note only once. Thereafter, all you need to do is supply the amount you want to borrow each year and successfully complete the credit-check process. An MPN must be completed for each student enrolled.

If borrowing a Direct PLUS loan with an endorser, please note that a new MPN will need to be signed each academic year.

You may complete your Direct PLUS MPN at www.studentloans.gov.

Credit Check

When you apply for a Direct PLUS Loan, the Department of Education will check your credit history. To be eligible for a Direct PLUS Loan, you must not have an adverse credit history. If you are found to have an adverse credit history, you may still borrow a Direct PLUS Loan if you get an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history.

Application Process

Steps to complete a Direct PLUS/Graduate PLUS Loan:

1. Go to www.studentloans.gov to complete the Direct PLUS Loan application.

2. Complete the MPN at www.studentloans.gov and sign the MPN. Upon approval of the Direct PLUS application and credit check, follow step 2.

3. Complete the Villanova University Direct PLUS Loan Application (for parent or graduate student) and return the completed form to Office of Financial Assistance.

*NOTE: Your loan is not complete and will not be certified by the Office of Financial Assistance until ALL three of the above steps have been completed.

 

If you have any questions about the Federal Direct PLUS or Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan, please send us an email with your question, name, and Villanova University number to finaidloan@villanova.edu