Federal Grad PLUS Loans

Long-term federal loans for graduate students who are US citizens or permanent residents. Students may borrow up to the full cost of attendance, as defined by the UCSC Financial Aid Office, less any financial assistance the student receives. Borrowers must demonstrate creditworthiness for loan approval. Principal and/or interest payments may be deferred until after the student is not enrolled or is enrolled less than half-time. The Graduate PLUS Loan must be applied for and approved no later than 10 business days prior to the end of your term of enrollment or an academic year. Awards not applied for and approved by this time (including all required loan documents) cannot be processed. 

To apply for a Graduate Plus Loan complete the next steps:

Step 1: Log-in to studentloans.gov and apply for the loan. You will receive a notification via-e-mail indicating the approval or denial of your loan.

Step 2: If your graduate plus loan was approved, sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Step 3: If your loan is denied, contact our office for additional information on other loan options available.

Application- You can apply and complete a PLUS Loan Request beginning June 1.

For information on interest rates and loan fees click here.

Eligibility Requirements

You must file a FAFSA to be considered for the loan You must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree of certificate program at a participating school You must be a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available graduate or professional degree students regardless of financial need

Graduate Plus Loan Terms

Graduate students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus financial aid and outside resources Begins accruing interest at the time of disbursement Interest and processing fees for the year are determined annually on July 1 Processing fee is deducted from each disbursement Credit check required Graduate students can complete application and a promissory note at studentloans.gov First payment is due within 60 days of the final annual disbursement

To Receive Loan Funds- the student must have a permanent address in MyUCSC. The permanent address must be set to “active” before the loan will disburse. To avoid delays, be sure this address is current and active.