The Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students (Grad PLUS)

The University of Georgia participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students (Grad PLUS) is an educational loan for graduate and professional students enrolled at least half-time. Financial need is not a requirement, but good credit is required. The maximum annual loan amount is based on the student's Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid received (scholarships, tuition waivers, other loans, etc.).

The Financial Aid Application Process must be completed each year by ALL students requesting loans. We will award students the maximum Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans for which they qualify before awarding the Grad PLUS Loan.

Click here to review the Origination Fee and Interest Rates.

Your first loan payment is due within 60 days after the final disbursement of the loan for the award year. There is no grace period for Direct PLUS Loans. However, the Direct Loan Servicing Center will automatically grant you an in-school deferment on your Direct Grad PLUS Loan based on information reported by the UGA Registrar to the U.S. Department of Education as long as you remain enrolled at least half-time. Your in-school deferment ends once you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment status. The Direct Loan Servicing Center will automatically grant you an in-school deferment on your Grad PLUS Loan as long as you remain enrolled at least half-time and during the six-month period following the date you are no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Once your Grad PLUS Loan has been awarded and accepted, the Student Accounts Department of the Bursar's Office will mail you a notice instructing you to complete both the Web-based Master Promissory Note and Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan entrance counseling.

As is the case for all student aid at UGA, Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan funds are disbursed by the Student Accounts Department. OSFA does not disburse checks. Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans are disbursed each semester they appear on your Award. See the Student Accounts Web page ( http://www.bursar.uga.edu/fin_aid_disbursement.html) for details.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans are automatically offered to otherwise eligible students who complete the Financial Aid Process.

As a consumer, you need to know that the U.S. Department of Education will post your Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan data on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) which is accessible by guarantee agencies, lenders and institutions which the Department of Education has authorized access to this data.