Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

• Only applicable for Graduate students; Post-baccalaureate Certification students do not qualify for this loan
  
• Has a fixed interest rate of 8.05% for loans disbursed between July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
• The borrower is charged an origination fee
  • 4.228% for loans first disbursed between October 1, 2020 - October 1, 2024
• During the application process the student can choose to defer payments while the student is enrolled in school; and/or 6 months post-enrollment
• Interest accrues from the date the loan disburses
• To be approved, the student must pass a credit check/not have an adverse credit history
• If denied, the student is not eligible to receive additional unsubsidized loan money; however, they can choose to appeal the decision or add an endorser
• It is recommended that a student borrows the maximum under the Federal Direct Loan program first. The Federal Direct Loan maximum for one academic year is up to $20,500.

To receive a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must:

• Have a completed FAFSA application on file.
• Not have an adverse credit history
  • Adverse credit history is defined as being more than 90 days late on any debt or having any Title IV debt within the past five years subjected to default determination, bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or write-off.
• The student must meet all other general eligibility requirements for federal aid.
• The student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• The student must be enrolled in at least 6 credits (half-time).
• The student must be a degree-seeking student.
• This loan is for Graduate Students ONLY (must be seeking a graduate degree - i.e. Master's Degree)
  • Students seeking a Post-baccalaureate Certification (teacher certification), and Undergraduate students do NOT qualify for this loan.
• Students must complete Direct Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note before the Graduate PLUS Loan can be disbursed (See the section below: "What additional steps must I take to receive my loan?").

RETURNING STUDENTS:

• We request that you do not apply for the PLUS loan until after May 1; prior to the year the student will attend (i.e. May 1, 2024, for the 2024-2025 Academic Year).

INCOMING FRESHMAN:

• We normally request that you apply for the PLUS loan between May 1 and June 15; prior to the year you plan to attend. 
• This will allow sufficient time for processing the loans prior to billing for the fall semester. 

NOTE: Applications for each upcoming academic year are not available until May 1st.

Please be advised that if you do not indicate a loan period on your loan application, the loan term will default to the academic year (Fall/Spring). It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to indicate the correct loan term dates to ensure the correct processing of your PLUS loan

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2024-2025 LOAN PERIOD DATES

Summer/Fall/Spring: 05/2024 - 05/2025

• The student must have a Summer Aid Application on file requesting to use the PLUS loan throughout the entire academic year or for the summer term only.
  • If you choose the option Summer/Fall/Spring and apply for a specific amount: it will generally be processed and split into thirds.
  • If you choose the option Summer/Fall/Spring and "I wish to receive up to the maximum cost of attendance": your loan will be processed based on the maximum budget for each semester.
  • If you choose the option Summer Only, you will be awarded up to the student's maximum budget at the time we receive the application; which is based on the total number of credits they are enrolled in summer.

Fall/Spring: 08/2024 - 05/2025 (recommended option)

Spring Only: 01/2024 - 05/2025 (do not apply until after November 1st)

To apply for a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must:

• Go to: studentaid.gov and log in using your information.

To log in, you will need:

• FSA User ID and Password this is the same ID and password used to sign the FAFSA
• To create an FSA User ID click here.
  • If you have forgotten your username or password, click here

Once logged into your account:

• Follow directions carefully and complete each section in its entirety.
• Review all information for accuracy before submission; then click "SUBMIT".

Once the application has been submitted:

• You will immediately receive an approval or denial.
• If approved, follow the directions below on how to complete a Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN).
• If denied, click here.

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If you have been approved for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, and choose to borrow the funds, you MUST complete the following:

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Master Promissory Note (MPN):

1. Log into your account at studentaid.gov using your FSA user ID and password
2. Click on the link that says "Complete Aid Process"
3. Select MPN for Graduate/Professional Students
4. Select MPN for Direct PLUS Loans
5. Enter personal information and Select Millersville from the list of PA schools
6. Provide two personal references. These references are in no way responsible for your loan repayment.
7. Continue clicking through each step until you have signed and completed the form.
8. You will receive a confirmation once your Master Promissory Note has been completely submitted

Graduate students who are denied a Graduate PLUS loan have two options. They can try to appeal the decision to the Department of Education, or add an endorser (co-signer) on the loan.

Please click here to see additional information on your Graduate PLUS Denial Options and how to complete them.

• The school can refuse to certify a student's loan application OR certify the loan for an amount less than the student would otherwise be eligible. The school must document the reason for its action and explain the reason to the student in writing. The decision of the school is final and cannot be appealed to the Department of Education.
• During the repayment period, under certain circumstances, the USDE may grant deferments, forbearances, or cancellations. The student must contact USDE.
• Yearly limit is equal to the student's Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid received by the student.
• You may cancel all or a portion of the loan within 14 days after the date the school has sent notification that the loan funds have been credited to the student's account. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to cancel the loan.
• Interest is charged from the date the first disbursement is made until the loan is paid in full.
• You have up to 10 years to repay loan depending on the size of your debt.

In accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations (HEOA 489 amended HEA Sec.485B), Millersville University and the Office of Financial Aid acknowledges to students and parents that when the student enters into an agreement regarding a Title IV (HEA) loan, i.e.: Direct Student Loan and Direct Parent  and Graduate PLUS Loans that the loan will be submitted to NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System) and accessible by authorized agencies, lenders, and institutions.

Lyle Hall, 2nd Floor, Room 241

Office Hours:
Standard: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (mid-August to mid-May)                                                                Summer: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (mid-May to mid-August)

Call Center Hours:
Available by Phone: Mon.-Fri. 8:00am to 6:00pm 

Phone: 717-871-5100                           
Fax:  717-871-7980 
Email: fa.mail@millersville.edu

USPS Mailing Address:
Office of Financial Aid
Millersville University
P.O. Box 1002
Millersville, PA 17551-0302

Address for UPS/FedEx:
Office of Financial Aid
Lyle Hall, 2nd Floor
40 Dilworth Rd
Millersville, PA 17551-0302