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After completing the application at , you will be notified by the Direct Loan Servicing Center of your loan eligibility. Generally, you are eligible if:

• You are enrolled in at least 5 credit hours in a graduate degree program (undergraduate students are not eligible)
• You filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for this academic year
• You do not have an adverse credit history (a credit review will be completed)
• You are not in default on a federal student loan (including Federal Direct PLUS Loan or Graduate PLUS Loan)
• You meet the other eligibility requirements outlined on your loan application, including the federal requirements for satisfactory academic progress

Once the FAFSA is submitted, a Graduate PLUS loan application can be made at any time throughout the academic year. The online application can be completed at .

A promissory note is a binding legal document that lists the conditions of your loan and the terms of repayment. Instead of completing a promissory note every year, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a multi-year promissory note that only has to be completed once while you are attending ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú. The MPN will simplify the processing of your future Graduate PLUS loan(s). This MPN will be valid for 10 years, unless you must obtain a co-signer on your loan.

If you do not have a valid Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) on file, you may complete the MPN at . You will need a  to complete the MPN; this is the same username and password used when completing the FAFSA. If you don’t have a FSA ID, one may be obtained online at the U.S. Department of Education's . You may request a paper MPN; however the disbursement of funds is delayed up to two weeks or more from the point in which ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University receives the completed MPN. Because of this delay in disbursement, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University recommends the electronic MPN process.

You have met the requirements for an MPN if you had an approved Graduate PLUS loan and signed an MPN for a previous academic year and the MPN did not have an endorser. If the MPN had an endorser, you will be required to complete a new promissory note.

A signed and completed Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application is confirmation that you wish to pursue a loan for this academic year. You may apply online at . In addition to the Graduate PLUS Loan Application, the  must be submitted each academic year.

The interest rate is fixed and is adjusted each year on July 1. Information about interest rates and fees is available on the .

In accordance with federal loan regulations and ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s disbursement schedule, the loan will be applied to your Bursar account once all requirements are met. Federal Direct Lending deducts a loan fee from each disbursement. Information about interest rates and fees is available on the . If enrolled fall and spring semesters, one-half of the loan will be disbursed at the beginning of fall semester and the remaining half will be disbursed at the beginning of spring semester. If enrolled one semester only, the loan will disburse in one disbursement at the beginning of the semester. If the Graduate PLUS loan results in an overage on your account, a check is made payable to you and mailed to your local address or sent via direct deposit if you have signed up for RedHawk Refunds.

If you received additional financial aid and you now wish to reduce or cancel the amount you borrowed with the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, it is important that you notify the One Stop at OneStop@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu. You may cancel all or a portion of your loan after funds have been credited to your account by notifying us in writing within 30 days after the date of your loan disbursement notice. After 30 days, you will work with your loan servicer directly. If the additional financial aid received results in aid that is in excess of your cost of attendance, our office will automatically reduce the appropriate loan fund. These loan funds will be returned to the U.S. Department of Education. The amount returned will appear as a charge on your monthly Bursar bill.

You may apply for additional Graduate PLUS loan funds by completing another Graduate PLUS loan application at . You need to list the additional amount that you are requesting. Please note that your credit history may be reviewed again to determine your eligibility. The total amount of a Graduate PLUS loan may not exceed the cost of attendance minus all the financial aid and resources you receive.

If your Graduate PLUS loan is denied due to the result of your credit review, you will receive notification from the Direct Loan Servicing Center. You may choose from the following options:

• You may try to have a credit status override completed by the Direct Loan Servicing Center. Please contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1-800-557-7394.
• You may provide documentation to the Direct Loan Servicing Center if you have extenuating circumstances. Your request for a Graduate PLUS loan will be reviewed again by the servicer.
• You may have a third party endorser co-sign the Graduate PLUS Loan Application with you. The Direct Loan Servicing Center will send you a packet of information for this option. If additional information is needed, please contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1-800-557-7394.
• If you are successful in obtaining a credit status override OR third party endorser to co-sign the PLUS Loan Application, you will be required to complete PLUS Counseling at .

Yes. While you are enrolled in school at least half-time (5-8 credit hours), you are automatically placed in an in-school deferment status that allows you to postpone payments on your Graduate PLUS loan until you Graduate or drop below half-time.

Your first payment will be due within 30 days after the deferment end date. Your loan servicer will notify you 60 days before your deferment ends. Approximately 7-10 business days after the first disbursement of your loan, your loan is assigned to a loan servicer who will then send you information regarding your loan. Repayment of the Graduate PLUS is managed by your loan servicer. To review your loans and to obtain your loan servicer contact information, you may access the . You will need to login using your .