Federal Direct PLUS Loans

Parents of Undergraduate Students

1. Complete Stanford’s Parent PLUS Application

Complete Stanford's Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Request. Follow the instructions to complete and submit the form, then print, sign and mail the form to the Financial Aid Office.

 

 

After you have printed, signed and mailed your loan request form, please proceed to Step 2. You do not need to wait for an acknowledgment message before continuing.

2. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The FAFSA is required from all families borrowing Federal Direct PLUS Loans, even those who are not requesting need-based financial aid. If you have already applied for need-based aid, you probably have already filed the FAFSA. Upon review of the FAFSA, we may offer your student eligibility for a Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Direct Loan.

3. Complete Your Promissory Note

Note: If you completed a Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) in a prior academic year for the same student at Stanford, you do not need to complete a new MPN. Your existing MPN covers your Direct PLUS Loan borrowing for this student for up to ten years.

1. Go to the Direct Loan website at http://StudentLoans.gov/. 
   
   
   


2. Click on the green “Sign In” button.
3. Log in with your Social Security number and FAFSA PIN number.  You will see a screen with these options:
   
   


4. Click on “Complete Master Promissory Note.”  You will be taken to a screen with these options:
   
   


5. Click on “Parent PLUS”.  
6. Complete all required fields (indicated by red asterisk) in the Personal Information section.  Parent borrowers should also complete the Student section with information about the dependent student for whose educational costs the loan is being requested.
7. For School State, select CALIFORNIA.
8. For School Name, select STANFORD UNIVERSITY.
   
   
   DO NOT select the STANFORD GSB, STANFORD LAW, or STANFORD MED options as these are meant for students at Stanford’s professional schools. 

9. Continue with Steps 2, 3 and 4, including the electronic signature. You will have the opportunity to print a copy of your completed, signed MPN. The Stanford Financial Aid Office will be notified when you have completed and signed your MPN.
   
   If you have questions about completing your MPN, you can call Direct Loan Applicant Services at (800) 557-7394 or contact the Stanford Financial Aid Office.
   
   NOTE: Direct Parent PLUS borrowers are not required to complete entrance counseling.

4. Receiving Your Loan Funds

Loans are generally divided evenly over the three quarters of the academic year. If your promissory note is complete and you have enrolled for courses, your loan funds will be applied to the University bill a few days prior to the beginning of each quarter. If the quarter has already begun, students can monitor the loan disbursements in AXESS.