Student Financial Services
PLUS Loans Application Process
Apply for a PLUS Loan
Borrowers can apply for the PLUS Loan after May 1st for the upcoming academic year. The credit decision is determined solely by the Department of Education, is displayed to borrowers during the application process, and is valid for 180 days. Brown receives your PLUS Loan record and credit decision automatically; PLUS Loans are processed beginning in mid-June.
PLUS Application Tips
- Refer to our Federal Loans page for details about PLUS Loan eligibility and loan amounts.
- Be careful to select the correct academic year
- Apply for the full year vs a single semester; use our Tuition & Fees pages to estimate your education expenses for the year.
- Loan changes: To decrease an existing PLUS Loan, contact our team. To increase an existing PLUS Loan, a new application & new credit check may be required.
Notes on the Origination Fee
The Origination Fee is taken out before the loan is disbursed (paid to the student account).
If you are requesting less than the maximum, you may choose to add the amount of the origination fee to your requested loan amount. To include the origination fee in your requested loan amount, determine how much you need to cover your expenses (net amount) and multiply that amount by the origination fee percentage. (Example: To receive $10,000 and include the 1.057% origination fee; calculate $10,000 x 0.01057 = $105.70. Request a total loan amount of $10,105.70.)
Application Process
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required and must be completed before any PLUS Loans can be processed (Parent or Graduate/Professional).
Parent Borrowers - PLUS Loan Application Process
In addition to completing the FAFSA, all of the following must be completed.
- PLUS Loan Application for Parents
- PLUS Master Promissory Note for Parents (Must use your own FSA ID to login, not your student's)
- Title IV Authorization Form to instruct Brown University on how to apply your federal funds toward charges on your student's account. This MUST be completed by the PLUS Loan borrower.
- Parents who are initially denied and later approved, must also complete the PLUS Loan Credit Counseling.
Your completed PLUS Application and completed loan requirements will be sent electronically from the U.S. Department of Education to Brown's Student Financial Services.
Graduate/Professional Borrowers - PLUS Loan Application Process
In addition to completing the FAFSA, all of the following must be completed.
- Apply for AND accept your maximum Unsubsidized Loan (required before PLUS will be processed).
- PLUS Loan Application for Graduate/Professional Students
- Grad PLUS Master Promissory Note
- Grad PLUS Entrance Counseling
- If you are initially denied and later approved, you must also complete the PLUS Loan Credit Counseling.
Your completed PLUS Application and completed loan requirements will be sent electronically from the U.S. Department of Education to Brown's Student Financial Services.
Adverse Credit History
A credit check will be performed by the Department of Education during the application process. Brown University only receives the credit decision (approval or denial) and we do not have access to any details regarding borrowers credit history or the reason for the credit decision. If you have an adverse credit history and receive a credit decision denial, you may still receive a PLUS loan.
Loan Details
Loan Repayment
Use the Loan Simulator to estimate your monthly payment amount.
If you're a new borrower, been in school for a while, graduating soon, or a Brown alum, there are steps you can take to be successful in your loan repayment.