If you are in a graduate program and need to borrow funds, a federal grad plus loan may be your ideal solution. This loan type has many advantages that private student loans do not, such as income-driven repayment and forgiveness programs.
Eligibility for a graduate plus loan is determined by your credit history. If yours has been poor, you might want to consider getting a cosigner or explaining your extenuating circumstances.
Eligibility
The Grad Plus Loan is specifically tailored for graduate and professional students, such as law and medical students. This federal loan program allows you to borrow up to the cost of attendance at an accredited school minus any other financial aid received.
Loans can be an advantageous way to finance a degree program, and the interest on these loans may be tax-deductible. Be sure to explore other funding options such as scholarships and grants in order to reduce debt before applying for a graduate plus loan.
To qualify for a Graduate Plus Loan, you must fill out the FAFSA and be enrolled at least half time at an accredited school in a degree-seeking program. Furthermore, you must sign a Master Promissory Note or MPN and attend entrance counseling.
Interest rates
Every academic year, Congress sets an interest rate for federal direct PLUS loans. This amount remains fixed throughout that 12-month period and applies to all loans first disbursed during that timeframe.
Grad PLUS loans are available to graduate and professional degree students as well as parents helping their children finance college. For 2022-2023, the interest rate on Grad PLUS loans will increase to 7.54% from its previous year’s 6.28% figure of 6.28%).
Additionally, an origination fee of 4.228% will be deducted from each loan disbursement. You may avoid this fee by refinancing your federal or private student loans.
If you are a graduate student, consider other ways of financing your education before taking out a Grad PLUS loan. Private student loans tend to be cheaper than Grad PLUS loans and don’t come with any fees, making them an attractive option for students.
Fees
Graduate plus loans offer students who require more funds for school than their other financial aid options provide. Graduate plus loans can cover tuition, room and board, textbooks, technology costs and other associated with attending a graduate program.
You can borrow up to the cost of attendance, less any other financial aid you receive. To be eligible, you must have a good credit history and be enrolled at least half-time.
Interest rates on grad plus loans are higher than other federal student loans, but they’re fixed for the life of the loan. You also have to pay a loan origination fee when you get it – an amount equal to a percentage of what is borrowed.
Repayment
A graduate plus loan is a federal loan designed to assist students in financing their education. It can be used for tuition, fees and other educational costs.
Grad plus loans require repayment within 60 days after receiving the funds, and borrowers have the option to pay in full or partially without penalty. The standard repayment plan is ten years; however, you may also opt for an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) program.
However, grad plus loans often carry higher interest rates than private student loans, making them more costly in the long run if you need to pay back your loan early.
In addition to the interest rate, grad plus loans also come with an origination fee of 4.228% of the amount borrowed that must be deducted before funds are sent directly to your school.