The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a federal loan that helps graduate and professional students cover educational expenses. Eligibility is based on credit history rather than financial need.
Although the Graduate PLUS Loan is available regardless of financial need, you must still complete the FAFSA to qualify.
Graduate PLUS Loans have a higher interest rate than Federal Direct Loans, so students are encouraged to use their full Federal Direct Loan eligibility before applying. A credit check is required, but credit standards are generally less strict than those for private (alternative) student loans.
For more information about Federal Direct Loans—including interest rates, fees, consolidation options, deferment, and loan calculators—visit the Federal Student Aid website.
If your Graduate PLUS Loan is approved through a credit appeal or with an endorser, you must complete PLUS Loan Counseling on the Federal Student Aid website.
The U.S. Department of Education will notify you when counseling is required, and it will appear as a To-Do item in your MyUBalt portal. Counseling must be completed before your endorsed or appeal-approved PLUS loan can be disbursed.
Additional details about PLUS Loan Counseling requirements are available on the Federal Student Aid website.
Elimination of the Graduate PLUS Loan
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan will no longer be available to new graduate and professional student borrowers.
Legacy Eligibility Provision
You may continue to access Graduate PLUS Loans under a limited legacy provision if all of the following apply:
Important Limitations
Important Disclaimer:
The information provided here reflects our current understanding of the law and is not official guidance. It should not be considered definitive. For official rules and regulations, please refer to federal government sources, including studentaid.gov.
You may borrow up to the full cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid you receive, including Federal Direct Loans, scholarships, grants, and tuition remission.
Your Graduate PLUS Loan eligibility may be adjusted if you receive additional aid or if your cost of attendance changes (for example, due to a residency status update). View the Cost of Attendance for more details.
*Loans for a full academic year are disbursed in two equal payments—one in the fall and one in the spring. For example, a $10,000 Graduate PLUS Loan would disburse $5,000 in September and $5,000 in February, minus the origination fee.
You may still qualify for a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan if:
Credit Approval
A credit decision is valid for three months. Your credit is reviewed each time you apply for a new Direct Graduate PLUS Loan unless you have already received a credit decision within the previous three months.
If you believe your credit report may include items that affect eligibility, you may want to review your credit report in advance. In some cases, issues can be resolved. For example:
Making a payment to bring a delinquency to less than 90 days past due
Working with a creditor to resolve a collection or discharge and obtain a “settled in full” status
Once an issue is resolved, it may no longer be considered during the credit review and could result in approval.
If Your Credit Is Denied
If you receive an adverse credit decision, the Direct Loan Servicer will send you instructions outlining your available options, which may include:
applying with an endorser
correcting inaccurate information on your credit report
appealing the credit decision.
PLUS Loan Counseling Requirement
If your Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is approved through an endorser or appeal, you must complete PLUS Loan Counseling on the Federal Student Aid website before your loan can be disbursed.
The U.S. Department of Education will notify you when this requirement applies. It will also appear as a To-Do item in your MyUBalt portal and must be completed before funds are released.
More information about PLUS Loan Counseling is available on the Federal Student Aid website.
Need Help?
For additional information about credit decisions or denial options, contact Applicant Services at 1-800-557-7394.
Direct Graduate PLUS Loans have a fixed interest rate, which is set annually by the federal government and remains the same for the life of the loan.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Education charges an origination fee, which is a percentage of the loan amount. This fee is deducted from each loan disbursement before the funds are applied to your account.
Current interest rates and origination fee percentages are published on the Federal Student Aid website and may change each academic year.