Applying for the Grad PLUS Loan

The Grad PLUS Loan is a federal loan for graduate and professional students. Here are the steps to take once you have viewed your financial aid offer on CheckMarq.

NoteLearn more about the Grad PLUS loan, including interest rates and eligibility criteria.

  1. View your Financial Aid Offer
    Log in to CheckMarq. Under the Financial Aid tile select Accept/Decline Aid.
    Find the PLUS - Grad/Prof - Optional line on the offer. The Optional Loan cannot be accepted on CheckMarq. The Offered amount listed is the maximum that can be applied for.

  2. Apply Online
    Apply online at studentaid.gov/plusapp. Log in with your FSA ID username and password. Click or tap the Start button next to the Loan Application for Graduate/Professional Students to begin the application.

  3. Final Steps

    Upon approval, you will be directed to complete the Grad PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) and, if required, Entrance Counseling. If you do not complete the MPN at the time of approval go to studentaid.gov/mpn and log in to complete it.

    If the credit is denied, you will be given information on your options, to return to these options at a later time go to studentaid.gov. Loans approved after completing the appeal process or obtaining an endorser will require the completion of PLUS Loan Credit Counseling through studentaid.gov.