Graduate PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students
If you have borrowed the maximum amount for which you are eligible under the Federal Stafford Loan Program, consider your next best option — a Federal PLUS Loan for graduate and professional students.

Advantages of a PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students:
  • Low fixed interest rate
  • No prepayment penalty
  • Lenient credit criteria
  • No cosigner required
  • No minimum income requirements
  • No debt-to-income calculation
  • No payments required during at least half-time enrollment
  • Forbearance to align with Stafford loan repayment is available
  • Flexible repayment options available
  • Qualifies for Federal Consolidation
  • Borrow up to Cost of Attendance minus other aid
  • Deferment and forbearance options
  • In the event of permanent disability or death your loan will be forgiven
In addition, many lenders offer discounted fees and money-saving benefits for responsible repayment habits.
Before you apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete the FAFSA and apply for the maximum amounts of Stafford unsubsidized and subsidized loans.

How To Apply
The graduate/professional student can apply for a PLUS loan and receive a pre-approval decision by contacting one of the PLUS loan lenders listed. Please make sure you complete the correct application with your lender. Graduate/Professional students should complete the PLUS for Graduate and Professional Students application. Upon approval, the graduate/professional student must sign a PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) electronically (online) or sign a hard copy of the MPN and mail it back to their lender.

Submit proof of U.S. citizenship to the FIU financial aid office (Borrower must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.)

The lender will notify our office of the preapproval decision so that we can determine final eligibility.

About our Lender Partners
These are our Lending Partners as selected through a competitive process following a Request For Proposal (RFP) process through the FIU Purchasing and Procurement Office.

We encourage you to research these Lenders when deciding who you will borrow through. The Lenders were selected on the basis of best service in processing, lowest cost and customer service.

If you wish to use a Lender not on our Lending Partner list, through PantherSoft, please complete an Administrative Request with the name of your Lender. In order to expedite the processing of your loan, please request your Lender to submit by mail or by fax a Stafford Loan Certification form to the Financial Aid Office.

Click on the lender logo or web address to research additional information and apply online.
Lender Code Key Features — Federal PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students