Missouri State University

Affordable Choice, Unbeatable Value - Financial Aid

Loans for Parents

Investing in your child's education

The Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) program helps parents of dependent children cover the cost of higher education.

How much does Missouri State cost? Net price calculator.

When is the deadline? Use our calendar.

Applying for a PLUS loan

Before you apply for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan, your student should accept or decline all aid that has been offered to them following the instructions listed on his/her award notification. Failure to do so will result in inaccurate processing of the Direct Parent PLUS Loan.

We recommend that you wait until after May 1 to apply for a PLUS loan for the 2013/2014 academic year. Applying too early for a PLUS loan could cause your credit check to expire before the loan is processed.

The parent borrower must complete the following steps when applying for a Direct PLUS Loan:

  1. Complete the FAFSA for your student
  2. Determine the amount to borrow based on your student’s award notification and the Cost Information Worksheet
  3. Log on to the Federal Student Loan website to complete the Federal Parent PLUS Direct Loan Application for a credit check and the Direct Parent PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). You will need your Department of Education PIN used to sign your FAFSA to access both items.
  4. Access, complete and submit the MSU Parent PLUS Loan Application

Certifying your loan

Completing those steps will indicate the amount you wish to borrow and will provide the office of student financial aid with the information needed to certify the loan—a process which is completed electronically.

When we are notified of your credit approval, we will schedule disbursements according to established policy each semester after your student registers for classes.

If the credit check is not approved, we will notify your student of additional unsubsidized loan eligibility. Your student will be required to accept the additional unsubsidized loan funds from the PLUS denial either on My Missouri State or by submitting an Adjustment to Direct Loans Form.

If you receive a credit denial after completing the Parent PLUS Direct Loan Application on the federal website, the Missouri State form needs to be submitted with the word “Denied” written on the loan amount requested line.

Cancelling a Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Complete and submit the Aid Cancellation Request Form.