Financing Options - Graduate Students

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

A Graduate student is the borrower of this federal credit-based loan.

Eligibility Requirements
  • You must be a Graduate student enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program at a participating school.
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National or Permanent Resident/Other Eligible Non-Citizen.
  • You must have a FAFSA on file.
Loan Basics
  • A credit check is required.
  • Graduate students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.
  • Interest begins accruing at the time of disbursement.
  • The interest rate is fixed and determined annually.
  • The government withholds an origination fee from each disbursement.
  • Graduate students will be required to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN), a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education.
How to Apply
  1. Graduate students sign into using the FSA ID (username and password) they used to sign the FAFSA.
  2. Select the option “Apply for a Grad PLUS loan” then complete and submit the application.
  3. If approved, Graduate students will need to “Complete a Master Promissory Note" for a Grad PLUS Loan (MPN).

Private Student Loan

This private, credit-based loan is borrowed by the student and a creditworthy cosigner.

  • This loan is offered through many lenders, such as banks, credit unions, state agencies, and other financial institutions.
  • These loans are credit-based and may have either fixed or variable-interest rate.
  • The loan application process is completed online and may take a minimum of four weeks for approval and subsequent processing by the University.

Please visit the Financial Aid Office for more information on applying for loans.