How to Apply for a Grad Plus Loan

A Grad PLUS Loan is a loan from the federal government to graduate students. Grad PLUS loans are credit based using the borrower’s financial information to determine if the loan will be approved. Students who are not approved for the Grad PLUS Loan may appeal the credit decision or apply with a co-signer (also called an endorser).

To be eligible to apply for a Grad PLUS Loan an individual must be:

• A degree seeking Graduate, Law, or Doctoral student enrolled at least half-time.
• A student must also have a FAFSA on file for the financial aid year. Ex: for Spring 26 a 2025-2026 FAFSA must be filed.

The following individuals are not eligible to apply for a Grad PLUS Loan:

• An Undergraduate Student
• A Student-at-Large
• A Post-Baccalaureate Student
• A Visiting Student
• A student enrolled less than half-time
• A Parent of the student

To apply for a Grad PLUS loan the Student borrower must go to studentaid.gov and "Log In" using their FSA ID and password.

Steps to Apply for a Grad PLUS Loan

1. Move your mouse to the top of the page and hover over the "Grants and Loans" dropdown.
2. Click on the link that says: "PLUS Loans: Graduate Plus and Parent PLUS" when it appears.
3. Click the "Learn More" button under Select a borrower type.
4. Click the "Start" button under Apply for a Plus Loan.
5. Before starting, make sure that you do not have a freeze on your credit report. Click the "Continue" button to proceed with the application.
6. Select the award year that you will be attending. For example, if you are starting in the Fall of 2025, Spring of 2026, or Summer of 2026, the award year will be 2025-2026.
7. Search for the school by selecting "Illinois" as the state and "Northern Illinois University" as the school name. When the school has been selected your screen should look like the one below on the right. Once the Grad Plus Loan application has been submitted the US Department of Education will send the results to NIU in a few days.
8. If this is your second plus loan application for the aid year you need to select if this is a new loan or if you are trying to change the previous loan. (Please note, it may be significantly easier to email the financial aid office if you want your loan adjusted)
9. Select the "Loan Amount Requested" as either:
   • "I want to borrow the maximum Direct PLUS for which I am eligible, as determined by the school."
   • "I would like to specify a loan amount" then type in the loan amount you want. (You can contact the financial aid office for a recommended amount based on your other aid and charges.)
     Note: An amount must be specified, or the application process will be delayed while the school requests this information.
   • "I do not know the amount I want to borrow. I will contact the school."
     Note: If you choose this option, it is important you contact the school or the application process will be delayed while the school requests the information.
10. Enter your information into the Borrower section. Some of the data fields may be populated with information that is already on file for you. Verify the information is correct before moving on.
11. Enter your employer information into the fields. If you are not employed check the box.
12. Click "Continue" at the bottom to move on to the next step.
13. Select the Loan Period from the drop-down list:
    • For most borrowers we recommend choosing a full year loan if the student will be enrolled in both the Fall and Spring semesters.
    • If you are graduating in Fall 2025 or you only want a Fall semester loan — select Fall only.
    • If you are starting in the Spring 2026 or you only want a Spring semester loan — select Spring only.
      Note: Contact the Student Financial Aid Office if you are unsure when you will be attending.
14. Click "Continue" at the bottom to move on to the next step.
15. Check the box if you want to authorize the loan to pay for additional charges.
16. Review the "IMPORTANT NOTICES" by selecting each drop down then click the box to confirm you understood the information.
17. Certify the accuracy of the information on the application by checking the first box. Authorize the Department of Education to check the credit of the borrower by checking the second box.
18. Review the information and update if necessary, then click "Continue." Upon selecting "Continue" the results of the PLUS application will be displayed.

Loan funds are disbursed to the Bursar account after the add/drop period is closed. If the Federal Direct Grad PLUS disbursement generates a refund after University charges are paid, the refunded amount will be mailed to you.

You have the option of signing up for direct deposit. Direct Deposit offers a timely, reliable, and safe way to deliver your refund to your checking or savings account. For more information on refunds, please see the Bursar Office Website.

What Happens If the Grad PLUS Loan Is Denied?

If the Grad PLUS Loan is denied, there are two options available if you still want to get the loan:

• Apply with an endorser—allows the borrower to reapply with a co-signer. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Grad PLUS Loan if the borrower becomes delinquent in making payments or defaults on the loan.

• Appeal the credit decision—allows the borrower to provide documentation to the Department of Education to prove extenuating circumstances that may override the initial credit decision. More information on the appeal process can be found at studentaid.gov