Parent PLUS Loans

 by: Vanessa McHooley

Do you have good credit that you would like to put towards the further education of your child? Is your child planning on becoming a student at an American college or university? Is your child a dependent and planning on attending this college or university as an undergraduate at least “half-time” during the college or university semester schedule? If these questions apply to you, then a parent PLUS loan just may be the best option for financing the education of your child.

What a PLUS Loan Is

A PLUS loan is basically a loan given out to the parents of dependent children looking to enroll at any college or university. The PLUS loan covers up to any amount that is not already covered by any other form of financial aid. For instance, if your child is going to a university that costs $10,000, and he/she receives $7,000 is financial aid from other sources, a PLUS loan is good for up to $3,000 in this specific instance. No lender is necessary under the pretenses of a PLUS loan, because the U.S. Department of Education works directly with your college or university to distribute the loan application, process the loan application, and eventually distribute the loan funds to the appropriate sources (i.e. the college or university).

How To Obtain a PLUS Loan

Little is required of you to receive a PLUS loan as the parent of a child wishing to take out a loan in order to finance a college education. Simply submit a Direct PLUS loan application and promissory note to the U.S. Department of Education office located within your specific state. All of this information can be obtained through your college or university’s financial aid office, and application packets are readily available through the same office. It is also recommended that you fill out a FAFSA form (also available through your school’s financial aid department), so that your child may receive the largest amount of financial aid possible.

This article is distributed by NextStudent. At NextStudent, we believe that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we're dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding as easy as possible. We invite you to learn more about Parent PLUS Loans at http://www.NextStudent.com.