Direct PLUS Loan Procedures

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

 

As of July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS loans were eliminated. Interim exceptions are in place for pre-OB3 borrowers. Please reach out to a financial aid counselor for help navigating this change.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Procedures

  1. Parent(s) of dependent students must apply for and be approved for a Parent PLUS loan through StudentAid.gov.
  2. Parent PLUS loans are credit based and a credit check will be completed as part of the Parent PLUS loan process.
  3. The school and the borrower are notified of the credit approval or denial.
  4. If approved, parent(s) must complete the Parent PLUS loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) through StudentAid.gov.
  5. If approved, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships processes/certifies the loan.
  6. If denied, the student can request an additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan up to the annual limit by submitting an email to finaid@etsu.edufrom their ETSU email account or submitting a signed, written statement to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan Procedures

  1. Graduate students must apply for and be approved for a Graduate PLUS loan through StudentAid.gov.
  2. Graduate PLUS loans are credit based and a credit check will be completed as part of the Graduate Plus loan process.
  3. The school and the borrower are notified of the credit approval or denial.
  4. If approved, students must complete the Graduate PLUS loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) through StudentAid.gov.
  5. If approved, students must complete the Entrance Counseling for Graduate/Professional Student through StudentAid.gov.
  6. If approved, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships processes/certifies the loan.

 

Grad PLUS Limited Exception

Only students with an approved interim exception from Federal Student Aid are eligible to receive Grad PLUS Loans.