HOW TO APPLY FOR A FEDERAL DIRECT PLUS LOAN FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS There are several steps that you need to complete in order to receive your Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan.  Please follow the steps listed below carefully to begin the process.

Steps

1) Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you have not already done so.  This form is required for all federal loans.  The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Our federal school code is 001170.

2)  The federal government requires graduate students to complete an Entrance Loan Counseling session prior to receiving their loan funds.  The entrance counseling session will explain various aspects of student loans, such as repayment and the student's rights and responsibilities.  Click here to complete the entrance counseling session.
You will need your U.S. Department of Education PIN to complete your session. Results of your entrance counseling session will be sent to CMC electronically, however, you may want to print a copy of the Rights and Responsibilities page for your records.

3) Complete both sides of the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Request Form and submit it to the Financial Aid Office.

4)  Next, you will need to access the federal website at: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action to begin the federal PLUS Request process and complete your Electronic Master Promissory Note (EMPN).  Once CMC is notified by the Federal Direct Loan Processor that they have a valid EMPN on file and the loan is approved, the funds will automatically be credited to the student's account as long as all other federal student aid eligibility requirements are met.

The graduate student borrower has the right to reduce or cancel their loan within 14 days after it credits their student account.  This may be done by notifying the Financial Aid Office in writing.

You can contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center (DLSC) at 800.848.0979 or visit the website at https://www.dl.ed.gov/borrower/BorrowerWelcomePage.jsp.

Additional FAQs for graduate PLUS

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