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William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Federal Direct PLUS Loan Request for Supplemental Information 

Warning: Any person who knowingly makes a false statement or misrepresentation on this 

form will be subject to penalties which may include fines, imprisonment, or both, under the U.S. 

Criminal Code and 20 U.S.C. 1097.

This is a request for supplemental information in connection with your application for a Federal 

Direct PLUS Loan (Direct PLUS Loan) through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct 

Loan) Program. You should complete this Direct PLUS Loan Request for Supplemental 

Information (Direct PLUS Loan Request) only if instructed to do so by the school you are 

attending or (if you are a parent) the school your child is attending. Some schools may have a 

different process for obtaining the additional information needed to process your Direct PLUS 

Loan application.

The information that you provide will be sent to the school that you select. The school you 

select will use the information collected to process your application for a Direct PLUS Loan.

Before you can receive a Direct PLUS Loan, you must complete a Direct PLUS Loan Master 

Promissory Note (Direct PLUS Loan MPN), which explains all of the terms and conditions of 

Direct PLUS Loans and constitutes your legally binding agreement to repay all Direct PLUS Loans 

that you receive under the Direct PLUS Loan MPN. If you have not previously completed a Direct 

PLUS Loan MPN, you will have an opportunity to do so after you complete the Direct PLUS Loan 

Request.

In addition to collecting information needed by the school to process your application for a 

Direct PLUS Loan, the Direct PLUS Loan Request allows you to authorize the school to use your 

loan funds to satisfy other educationally related charges after tuition and fees, and room and 

board have been paid. You are not required to provide this authorization.

If you are a parent borrower, the Direct PLUS Loan Request also allows you to:

 Indicate whether you want the school to pay any credit balance directly to you or to the 

student

 Request a deferment while the student is in school at least half-time

 Request an additional deferment for 6 months after the student ceases to be enrolled at 

least half-time

View What You Need

Some schools may have a different process for obtaining the additional information needed to 

process your Direct PLUS Loan application. You may verify that your school participates in the 

Direct PLUS Loan Request process after you select a borrower type below or by contacting the

school's financial aid office.

Your school will tell you what loans, if any, you are eligible to receive. If you have questions 

regarding your loan eligibility, the next steps in the processing of your loan, when the loan will 

OMB No. 1845-0103

Form in clearance 

process

Exp. Date xx/xx/xxxx
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be disbursed (paid out), or no longer wish to receive the loan, contact your school's financial 

aid office.
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1. Select borrower type:

Graduate/Professional Student Borrower 

(mouse over text: Direct PLUS Loans for eligible graduate/professional students. Students must 

be signed in with their own Federal Student Aid PIN.)

Parent Borrower (mouse over text: Direct PLUS Loans for eligible parents of eligible dependent 

undergraduate students. Parents must be signed in with their own Federal Student Aid PIN.)

AFTER SELECTING BORROWER TYPE THE FOLLOWING IS PRESENTED.

2. Select Award Year 

THE USER SELECTS THE YEAR FROM A DROP DOWN MENU.

Student Information

[THE STUDENT INFORMATION SECTION IS PRESENTED ONLY TO APPLICANTS WHO IDENTIFY 

THEMSELVES AS PARENTS WHEN THEY LOG IN TO COMPLETE THE DIRECT PLUS LOAN 

REQUEST]

If you have previously completed information for the student: (Box “Select Student”)

[IF THE PARENT HAS PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED AN MPN OR DIRECT PLUS LOAN REQUEST 

FOR A STUDENT, A DROP DOWN BOX APPEARS FOR THE PARENT TO SELECT THE STUDENT’S 

NAME. THE SYSTEM PREPOPULATES THE STUDENT DATA BASED ON THE SELECTION OR A 

NEW STUDENT CAN BE ADDED BY MANUALLY ENTERING DATA.]

3. Student’s Name (first name/middle initial/last name/suffix)

[ALREADY POPULATED IF STUDENT IS SELECTED FROM THE DROPDOWN ABOVE]

More Information [LINK]

[IF THE ‘MORE INFORMATION’ HYPERLINK IS SELECTED THE FOLLOWING APPEARS:]

If your last name is followed by a suffix indicating that you are the second or subsequent person 

in your family with the same name, use Roman numerals. Example: Write “Smith III” instead of 

“Smith 3

rd”.

If you have only one name, enter it in the Last Name box.

4. Student’s Social Security Number

[ALREADY POPULATED IF STUDENT IS SELECTED FROM THE DROPDOWN ABOVE]

5. Student’s Date of Birth

[ALREADY POPULATED IF STUDENT IS SELECTED FROM THE DROPDOWN ABOVE]

6. Student’s Permanent Address 

[ALREADY POPULATED IF STUDENT IS SELECTED FROM THE DROPDOWN ABOVE]

Address (line 1):

Address (line 2):

City:
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State:

Zip Code:

Country:

7. Student’s Area Code/Phone Number

[ALREADY POPULATED IF STUDENT IS SELECTED FROM THE DROPDOWN ABOVE]

8. Request for Deferment While Student is in School

Do you want to defer repayment of your Direct PLUS Loan while the student on whose 

behalf you obtained the loan is enrolled at an eligible school on at least a half-time basis? 

If you check Yes below, your servicer will contact you shortly before your Direct PLUS Loan 

enters repayment. A Direct PLUS Loan enters repayment on the date the final disbursement 

of the loan is made. At this time, your servicer will:

(1) Provide you with the complete terms and conditions of the deferment; and 

(2) Give you the opportunity to cancel your deferment request and begin making 

payments on your loan.

Unless you cancel your deferment request, your servicer will grant a deferment on your 

Direct PLUS Loan that will begin on the date your Direct PLUS Loan enters repayment, and 

will end on the date the student ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis or, if you 

request the additional deferment period described below, six months after the student 

ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. 

During the deferment period, you will not be required to make any payments on your Direct 

PLUS Loan. However, interest will continue to accrue. You will receive interest statements 

during the deferment period and may pay the accruing interest at any time. Any interest 

that you do not pay will be capitalized (added to your loan principal balance) at the end of 

the deferment period. Capitalization will increase your loan principal amount and the total 

cost of your loan.

If you select No below, the first payment on your Direct PLUS Loan will be due within 60 

days after the date of the last disbursement of the loan. Your servicer will notify you of your 

payment due date and payment amount. If you later change your mind and decide that you 

wish to defer payments while the student is in school, you may request a deferment at any 

time while the student remains enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

 Yes

 No

9. Request for 6-Month Post-Enrollment Deferment

Do you want to defer repayment of your Direct PLUS Loan for an additional 6 months 

beginning on the date the student ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis? 

If you check Yes below, your servicer will contact you shortly before your Direct PLUS Loan 

enters repayment. A Direct PLUS Loan enters repayment on the date the final disbursement 

of the loan is made. At this time, your servicer will:

(1) Provide you with the complete terms and conditions of the deferment; and
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(2) Give you the opportunity to cancel your deferment request and begin making 

payments on your loan.

Unless you cancel your deferment request, your servicer will grant a deferment on your 

Direct PLUS Loan that will begin on the date the student ceases to be enrolled on at least a 

half-time basis and will end six months after that date. 

During the deferment period, you will not be required to make any payments on your Direct 

PLUS Loan. However, interest will continue to accrue. You will receive interest statements 

during the deferment period and may pay the accruing interest at any time. Any interest 

that you do not pay will be capitalized (added to your loan principal balance) at the end of 

the deferment period. Capitalization will increase your loan principal amount and the total 

cost of your loan. If you also requested a deferment while the student is enrolled in school 

on at least a half-time basis, unpaid interest that accrues during both deferment periods will 

be capitalized only once, at the end of the additional 6-month deferment period.

If you check No below and you requested a deferment while the student is enrolled on at 

least a half-time basis, the first payment on your Direct PLUS Loan will be due within 60 days 

after the date the student ceases to be enrolled on at least a half time basis. Your servicer 

will notify you of your payment due date and payment amount. If you later change your 

mind and decide that you wish to defer payments for an additional six months after the 

student ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis, you may request a deferment at 

any time while the student remains enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

 Yes

 No

Authorization for School to Use Loan Funds to Satisfy Other Charges

10. Your Direct PLUS Loan will be applied to your or (if you are a parent borrower) the student’s 

school account to pay for tuition and fees, and room and board. By checking the box below, 

you may authorize the school to use your Direct PLUS Loan to satisfy other educationally 

related charges that you or (if you are a parent borrower) the student incurred at the 

school. Examples of other charges that may be paid with your authorization include, but are 

not limited to, library fines, campus parking tickets, lab fees, and charges for minor damage 

to school property. 

You are not required to provide this authorization. If you provide this authorization, you 

may revoke or modify the authorization at any time by contacting the school.

 I authorize the school to use my Direct PLUS Loan to pay for other educationally related 

charges that I or (if I am a parent borrower) the student incur at the school, as described 

above.

11. Credit Balance Option

Your Direct PLUS Loan will first be applied to the student’s school account to pay for tuition 

and fees, room and board, and, if you provide authorization, other educationally related 

charges. Any loan amount that remains after these charges have been paid is called a credit 

balance. You may choose to have the school pay the credit balance directly to you or to the 

student.
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If there is a credit balance after your Direct PLUS Loan has been applied to the student’s 

school account, to whom do you want the school to pay the credit balance?

 Me

 The Student

School and Loan Information

12. Select the school at which you are requesting a Direct PLUS Loan. 

○ U.S. Schools / U.S. Territory Schools

[U.S. SCHOOLS IS THE DEFAULT AND THE FOLLOWING DISPLAYS.]

School State [DROP-DOWN MENU LISTING STATES AND TERRITORIES]

School Name [DROP-DOWN MENU LISTING DOMESTIC SCHOOLS]

○ Non-U.S. Schools

[IF Non-U.S. Schools IS SELECTED THE FOLLOWING DISPLAYS AND 

THE SCHOOL STATE AND SCHOOL NAME ABOVE NO LONGER DISPLAY.]

School Name [DROP-DOWN MENU LISTING FOREIGN SCHOOLS]

[IF A SCHOOL THAT IS NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE DIRECT PLUS LOAN REQUEST PROCESS IS 

SELECTED, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE DISPLAYS:]

Your school has chosen to not use this Direct PLUS Loan Request process to collect the 

information needed to process your application for a Direct PLUS Loan. Contact your school’s 

financial aid office for guidance.

13. Specify a reason for submitting this Direct PLUS Loan Request: 

[ONLY APPEARS IF THE PERSON HAS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A DIRECT PLUS LOAN REQUEST 

FOR THE SAME SCHOOL, SAME STUDENT, AND SAME AWARD YEAR.]

 New (I am submitting a new Direct PLUS Loan Request)

 Change (I am requesting a change to the loan amount specified in a previously submitted 

PLUS Loan Request.)

[IF ‘CHANGE’ IS SELECTED, A DROPDOWN BOX APPEARS DISPLAYING THE BORROWER’S 

PREVIOUS PLUS LOAN REQUEST REFERENCE NUMBERS: ]

Please select the PLUS Loan Request you want to modify:

Previous Loan Reference Number: _________________ More Information

More Information [LINK]

[IF BORROWER SELECTS ‘MORE INFORMATION’ LINK, THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS PRESENTED:]

The loan reference number(s) that displays is for your previous PLUS Loan Request(s). Your loan 

reference number(s) was also sent to you by e-mail when you submitted your original Direct 

PLUS Loan Request if you opted to receive your correspondence electronically. You can also 
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obtain your Loan Reference Number and review your previous PLUS Loan Request(s) by 

choosing “Completed Loan Requests” on the left navigation bar. 

14. Loan Amount Requested

For each academic year, you may borrow up to – but not more than – the school’s cost of 

attendance, minus the amount of other financial assistance that you receive (if you are a 

graduate or professional student) or that the student receives (if you are a parent 

borrower). The school determines the cost of attendance based on federal guidelines. It is 

important not to borrow more than you can afford to repay, even if you are eligible to 

borrow more.

 I want to borrow the maximum Direct PLUS Loan amount for which I am eligible, as 

determined by the school.

[IF THE BORROWER SELECTS”I WOULD LIKE TO SPECIFY A LOAN AMOUNT IN CONJUNCTION 

WITH A NEW PLUS LOAN REQUEST, THE FIELD WILL DISPLAY AS:]

 I would like to specify a loan amount: $ _______________ (may not exceed the school’s 

cost of attendance, minus other financial assistance that I or the student receive(s)).

[“I WOULD LIKE TO SPECIFY A LOAN AMOUNT” IS THE DEFAULT SELECTTION. IF THE 

BORROWER SELECTS “I WOULD LIKE TO SPECIFY A LOAN AMOUNT” IN CONJUNCTION WITH 

A REQUEST FOR A CHANGE TO A PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED PLUS LOAN REQUEST, THE FIELD 

WILL DISPLAY AS:]

 I would like to specify a new total loan amount

Total Loan Amount Requested: $ _______________ (may not exceed the school’s cost 

of attendance, minus other financial assistance that I or the student receive).

 I do not know the amount I want to borrow. I will contact the school.

15. Loan Period

Specify the loan period for which you are requesting a Direct PLUS Loan:

More Information [LINK] 

[IF THE ‘MORE INFORMATION’ HYPERLINK IS SELECTED THE FOLLOWING APPEARS:]

The loan periods displayed are those that your school most commonly uses. If you do 

not see a loan period that coincides with the period for which you are requesting a 

Direct PLUS Loan, you may choose “Other” if your school has opted to participate in that 

option. If you choose “Other,” you will be asked to enter the beginning and ending 

dates (month and year) of your requested loan period. If you do not know the loan 

period for which you want to borrow please contact your school’s financial aid office.

Loan Period Requested [DROPDOWN MENU WITH SCHOOL-SPECIFIED LOAN PERIOD DATES 

AND OPTION TO CHOOSE ‘OTHER.’; OR SCHOOLS CAN CHOOSE TO HAVE SPRING, SUMMER, 

FALL, WINTER DISPLAY FOR LOAN PERIOD INSTEAD OF DATES]

[IF ‘OTHER’ IS SELECTED FROM THE DROPDOWN MENU OR THE SCHOOL HAS NOT SPECIFIED 

LOAN PERIOD DATES, THE FOLLOWING APPEARS:]
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Requested Loan Period Start Date

Month [DROPDOWN MENU] Year: [DROPDOWN MENU]

Requested Loan Period End Date

Month [DROPDOWN MENU] Year [DROPDOWN MENU]

Borrower Information 

16. Social Security Number

[POPULATED FROM PIN SITE AND CANNOT BE CHANGED]

17. Name

[POPULATED FROM PIN SITE AND CANNOT BE CHANGED]

18. Date of Birth

[POPULATED FROM PIN SITE AND CANNOT BE CHANGED]

19. Citizenship Status 

[APPEARS ONLY IF A BORROWER SELECTS “PARENT BORROWER” BEFORE BEGINNING THE 

DIRECT PLUS LOAN REQUEST PROCESS; ALREADY POPULATED IF THERE IS AN EXISTING 

RECORD WITH THIS INFORMATION]

More Information (LINK) 

If more information is selected the following displays:

Select the option that corresponds to your citizenship status. If you choose 

Permanent Resident/Other Eligible Non-Citizen, enter your Alien Registration 

Number.

1. "U.S. Citizen" includes citizens of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, 

Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. 

"National" includes not only all U.S. citizens, but also citizens of American 

Samoa and Swain's Island.

2. "Permanent Resident" means someone who can provide documentation of 

this status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). "Other 

Eligible Non-Citizen" includes individuals who can provide documentation from 

the USCIS that they are in the United States for a purpose that is not temporary, 

with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident. This category 

includes refugees, persons granted asylum, Cuban-Haitian entrants, temporary 

residents under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and others.

NOTE: If your citizenship status is not one of the categories described above, 

you are not eligible to receive a Direct PLUS Loan.

 U.S. Citizen or National

 Permanent Resident/Other Eligible Non-Citizen

Alien Registration Number: _______________________
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 Neither of the above

20. Default Certification

[APPEARS ONLY IF THE BORROWER SELECTS “PARENT PLUS” BEFORE BEGINNING THE DIRECT 

PLUS LOAN REQUEST PROCESS]

If you are in default on any loan received under the Direct Loan Program, the Federal Family 

Education Loan (FFEL) Program, or the Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins Loan) Program (including 

National Direct Student Loans), you are not eligible to receive a Direct PLUS Loan unless you 

have made satisfactory repayment arrangements with the loan holder to repay the amount 

owed. Check the box below to certify that you meet this requirement.

 I am not in default on a loan received under the Direct Loan Program, the FFEL Program, 

or the Perkins Loan Program (including National Direct Student Loans), or if I am in 

default, I have made satisfactory arrangements with the loan holder to repay the 

amount owed.

[IF APPLICANT DOES NOT CHECK THE DEFAULT CERTIFICATION BOX, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE 

APPEARS AND THE APPLICANT IS NOT ALLOWED TO PROCEED:]

“To continue with the Direct PLUS Loan Request process, you must certify that you are not in 

default on a loan made under the Direct Loan Program, the FFEL Program, or the Perkins Loan 

Program, or if you are in default, that you have made satisfactory arrangements with the loan 

holder to repay the amount owed. If you do not meet this requirement, you are not eligible to 

receive a Direct PLUS Loan. Contact your school’s financial aid office for information on other 

financial aid options that may be available to you.”

21. Permanent Address

[ALREADY POPULATED IF THERE IS AN EXISTING COD RECORD WITH THIS INFORMATION]

Address (line 1): 

Address (line 2): 

City: 

State: 

Zip Code: 

Country: 

[IF THE PERMANENT ADDRESS IS A U.S. ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IS 

PRESENTED]

22. Is your mailing address different from your permanent address?

 Yes

 No

More Information (Link)

[IF BORROWER SELECTS ‘MORE INFORMATION’ LINK, THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS PRESENTED:]

Permanent Address
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Enter your permanent address (number, street, apartment number, or rural route number 

and box number, then city, state, zip code, and country).

If your mailing address is a post office box or a general delivery, you must list both your 

street address.

If you do not have a permanent street address or rural route number and box number, 

provide the physical location of your residence.

A temporary school address is not acceptable.

23. Mailing Address More Information

[APPEARS ONLY IF APPLICANT ANSWERS ‘YES’ TO #22; ALREADY POPULATED IF THERE IS AN 

EXISTING COD RECORD WITH THIS INFORMATION]

Address (line 1):

Address (line 2):

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Country:

Mailing Address - More Information

If your mailing address is a post office box or a general delivery, you must list both your 

street address and your mailing address.

[IF THE PERMANENT ADDRESS IS A FOREIGN ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IS 

PRESENETED]

24. The permanent address you provided is outside the United States (U.S.). Do you have 

a U.S. Address? Yes No (no default)

Alternate US Address More Information

[APPEARS ONLY IF APPLICANT ANSWERS ‘YES’ TO #24; ALREADY POPULATED IF THERE IS AN 

EXISTING COD RECORD WITH THIS INFORMATION]

Address (line 1):

Address (line 2):

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Country:

Alternate U.S. Address - More Information

The permanent address you entered is outside the United States.

 If you have a U.S. address you can provide, select “Yes.”

 If you don’t have a U.S. address you can provide, select “No.”

If you are attending school in the U.S., provide the U.S. address you are using while attending 

school.

24. Area Code/Telephone Number
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[ALREADY POPULATED IF THERE IS AN EXISTING COD RECORD WITH THIS INFORMATION]

Enter the area code and telephone number at which you can most easily be reached. If you 

do not have a telephone, enter N/A.

25. E-Mail Address More Information (LINK)

[IF BORROWER SELECTS ‘MORE INFORMATION’ LINK, THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS PRESENTED:]

Enter your preferred e-mail address for receiving communications from StudentLoans.gov. 

You are not required to provide this information. If you do, we may use your e-mail address 

to communicate with you.

If you have chosen to receive correspondence electronically under "My Preferences", any 

update to the e-mail address will change the e-mail address on file and future 

correspondence will be sent to the updated e-mail address.

Confirm E-Mail Address

Employer Information More Information (LINK)

[IF BORROWER SELECTS ‘MORE INFORMATION’ LINK, THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS PRESENTED:]

Employer Information

• Enter your employer's name and address (street, city, state, zip code, and country).

• If you are self-employed, enter the name and address (street, city, state, zip code, and 

country) of your business.

• If you are unemployed, check the box next to "I am not employed."

26. Employer Name OR  I am not employed

[ALREADY POPULATED IF THERE IS AN EXISTING RECORD WITH THIS INFORMATION]

27. Employer Address

[ALREADY POPULATED IF THERE IS AN EXISTING RECORD WITH THIS INFORMATION]

[AFTER THE APPLICANT CLICKS CONTINUE, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS DISPLAYED AND 

THE FOLLOWING TEXT DISPLAYS. THE APPLICANT IS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT ANY 

DATA THAT IS INCORRECT BEFORE CONTINUING.] 

Review all information provided and verify that it is correct.

28. Certifications

You must review the IMPORTANT NOTICES before you can continue.

Click here to review.

You must read and agree to the statements below by clicking on the boxes.

 I certify that (1) the information I have provided on this Direct PLUS Loan Request for 

Supplemental Information is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief 

and is made in good faith, and (2) I have read and understood the entire Direct PLUS Loan 

Request for Supplemental Information, including the Important Notices.
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 For the loan that I am requesting by completing this Direct PLUS Loan Request for 

Supplemental Information, I authorize the U.S. Department of Education to check my credit 

history for the purpose of determining my eligibility for the loan(s), and to report information 

about my loan eligibility to persons and organizations permitted by law to receive that 

information.

Your Direct PLUS Loan Request for Supplemental Information cannot be processed unless you 

authorize the U.S. Department of Education to check your credit history. One of the eligibility 

requirements for receiving a Direct PLUS Loan is that you must not have an adverse credit 

history, unless you meet certain other requirements. The results of your credit check will be sent 

to the school that you have selected.

[ONCE THE CERTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN CLICKED ON, THE USER PROCEEDS BY CLICKING ON 

CONTINUE AND THE CREDIT CHECK IS COMPLETED.]

[WHEN THE APPLICANT CLICKS ON “Click here to review.” LINK THE FOLLOWING DISPLAYS]

IMPORTANT NOTICES

GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY ACT NOTICE 

In 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Public Law 106-102). This Act requires 

that lenders provide certain information to their customers regarding the collection and use of 

nonpublic personal information. 

We disclose nonpublic personal information to third parties only as necessary to process and 

service your loan and as permitted by the Privacy Act of 1974. See the Privacy Act Notice below. 

We do not sell or otherwise make available any information about you to any third parties for 

marketing purposes. 

We protect the security and confidentiality of nonpublic personal information by implementing 

the following policies and practices. All physical access to the sites where nonpublic personal 

information is maintained is controlled and monitored by security personnel. Our computer 

systems offer a high degree of resistance to tampering and circumvention. These systems limit 

data access to our staff and contract staff on a “need-to-know” basis, and control individual 

users’ ability to access and alter records within the systems. All users of these systems are given 

a unique user ID with personal identifiers. All interactions by individual users with the systems 

are recorded.

PRIVACY ACT NOTICE 

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) requires that the following notice be provided to you: 

The authority for collecting the requested information from and about you is §451 et seq. of the 

Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) and the authorities 

for collecting and using your Social Security Number (SSN) are §§428B(f) and 484(a)(4) of the 

HEA (20 U.S.C. 1078-2(f) and 1091(a)(4)) and 31 U.S.C. 7701(b). Participating in the William D. 

Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and giving us your SSN are voluntary, but you 

must provide the requested information, including your SSN, to participate.

The principal purposes for collecting the information on this form, including your SSN, are to 

verify your identity, to determine your eligibility to receive a loan or a benefit on a loan (such as 

a deferment, forbearance, discharge, or forgiveness) under the Direct Loan Program, to permit 
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the servicing of your loan(s), and, if it becomes necessary, to locate you and to collect and 

report on your loan(s) if your loan(s) become delinquent or in default. We also use your SSN as 

an account identifier and to permit you to access your account information electronically.

The information in your file may be disclosed, on a case-by-case basis or under a computer 

matching program, to third parties as authorized under routine uses in the appropriate systems 

of records notices. The routine uses of this information include, but are not limited to, its 

disclosure to federal, state, or local agencies, to private parties such as relatives, present and 

former employers, business and personal associates, to consumer reporting agencies, to 

financial and educational institutions, and to guaranty agencies in order to verify your identity, 

to determine your eligibility to receive a loan or a benefit on a loan, to permit the servicing or 

collection of your loan(s), to enforce the terms of the loan(s), to investigate possible fraud and 

to verify compliance with federal student financial aid program regulations, or to locate you if 

you become delinquent in your loan payments or if you default. To provide default rate 

calculations, disclosures may be made to guaranty agencies, to financial and educational 

institutions, or to state agencies. To provide financial aid history information, disclosures may 

be made to educational institutions. To assist program administrators with tracking refunds and 

cancellations, disclosures may be made to guaranty agencies, to financial and educational 

institutions, or to federal or state agencies. To provide a standardized method for educational 

institutions to efficiently submit student enrollment status, disclosures may be made to 

guaranty agencies or to financial and educational institutions. To counsel you in repayment 

efforts, disclosures may be made to guaranty agencies, to financial and educational institutions, 

or to federal, state, or local agencies.

In the event of litigation, we may send records to the Department of Justice, a court, 

adjudicative body, counsel, party, or witness if the disclosure is relevant and necessary to the 

litigation. If this information, either alone or with other information, indicates a potential 

violation of law, we may send it to the appropriate authority for action. We may send 

information to members of Congress if you ask them to help you with federal student aid 

questions. In circumstances involving employment complaints, grievances, or disciplinary 

actions, we may disclose relevant records to adjudicate or investigate the issues. If provided for 

by a collective bargaining agreement, we may disclose records to a labor organization 

recognized under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 71. Disclosures may be made to our contractors for the 

purpose of performing any programmatic function that requires disclosure of records. Before 

making any such disclosure, we will require the contractor to maintain Privacy Act safeguards. 

Disclosures may also be made to qualified researchers under Privacy Act safeguards.

FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT NOTICE

Under the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3401-3421), ED will have access to 

financial records in your student loan file maintained in compliance with the administration of 

the Direct Loan Program.

PRA Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a 

collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The valid OMB 

control number for this information collection is 1845-0103. Public reporting burden for this 

collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes (0.5 hours) per response, including 

the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining

the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to 
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respond to this collection is voluntary. If you have any comments or concerns regarding the 

status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: 

U.S. Department of Education

Common Origination and Disbursement School Relations Center

Attn: Applicant Services

PO Box 9002

Niagara Falls, NY 14302

[IF THERE IS NO ADVERSE CREDIT HISTORY, THE USER IS DONE. IF THE CREDIT CHECK INDICATES 

THE APPLICANT HAS AN ADVERSE CREDIT HISTORY, THE FOLLOWING DISPLAYS]

28. Adverse Credit Determination 

[THIS ITEM APPEARS ONLY IF CREDIT CHECK RESULTS IN ADVERSE CREDIT DETERMINATION]

Based on the results of your credit check, we are unable to approve your request for a Direct 

PLUS Loan. However, you may still receive a Direct PLUS Loan if you obtain an endorser, or if you 

document to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating 

circumstances related to your adverse credit history. 

Under federal law, you're entitled to a free credit report if a company takes adverse action 

against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment, and you ask 

for your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice will give you the 

name, address, and phone number of the credit reporting company. Otherwise, a credit 

reporting company may charge you up to $11.00 for another copy of your report within a 12-

month period.

To obtain a copy of your credit report, contact: 

•Equifax: 1-800-685-1111; equifax.com

•Experian: 1-888-397-3742; experian.com 

•TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800; transunion.com

View Credit Check Details [APPLICANT MAY CLICK HYPERLINK TO VIEW RESULTS OF CREDIT 

CHECK] 

Indicate how you want to proceed by checking the appropriate box below and click "Submit". 

Your response will be reported to the school that you selected on the Direct PLUS Loan Request.

How would you like to proceed? 

 I want to obtain an endorser. More Information 

[IF BORROWER SELECTS ‘MORE INFORMATION’ LINK, THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS PRESENTED:]

An endorser is someone who agrees to repay your Direct PLUS Loan if you do not repay the 

loan. If you are a parent borrower, the endorser may not be the student on whose behalf 

you are requesting a Direct PLUS Loan.
15

If you choose to obtain an endorser, he or she may complete the Endorser Addendum 

electronically on this site, or you may print the endorser addendum and provide it to the 

endorser.

If your endorser chooses to complete the Endorser Addendum electronically, he or she will 

need: 

•A Federal Student Aid PIN

Endorsers must be signed in with their own Federal Student Aid PIN. If they do not have a 

Federal Student Aid PIN they can visit the PIN site, at www.pin.ed.gov.

•Endorser Code or Award ID and Borrower's Last Name

You must provide your endorser with the endorser code or the award identification number 

and your last name. 

The endorser code will be provided to you in an email. The endorser code is also available 

on the StudentLoans.gov Web site. To access, select "Direct PLUS Loan Requests" located on 

the left navigation bar under "My Loan Documents."

If your endorser prefers to complete a paper Direct PLUS Loan Endorser Addendum, you 

may print the Endorser Addendum by selecting "Print Endorser Addendum" under "PLUS 

Loan Process" on left navigation bar.

Mail the paper Direct PLUS Loan Endorser Addendum to the following address:

US Department of Education 

P.O. Box 5692

Montgomery, AL 36103-5692 

Or

Overnight the paper Direct PLUS Loan Endorser Addendum to the following address:

US Department of Education

100 Capitol Commerce Blvd., Suite 160

Montgomery, AL 36117

 I want to provide documentation of extenuating circumstances. More Information 

[IF BORROWER SELECTS ‘MORE INFORMATION’ LINK, THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS PRESENTED:]

Document Extenuating Circumstances - More Information 

If you have received an adverse credit decision, you may still be eligible to receive a Direct 

PLUS Loan. In order to become eligible, you may take one of the following actions:
16

1. Obtain an endorser. 

 An endorser is someone who does not have an adverse credit history and agrees to 

repay the loan if you do not repay it.

 If you are a parent borrower, the endorser may not be the student on whose behalf 

you are requesting the Direct PLUS Loan.

2. Document to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that: 

 The information causing the adverse credit decision is incorrect or has been 

corrected.

 OR

 There are extenuating circumstances relating to the adverse credit history. (Note: 

Endorsers aren't eligible for this option.) The Secretary is able to use 

discretion and, based on your circumstances, consider whether extenuating 

circumstances allow you to qualify for a loan. 

 The chart below provides a non-exhaustive list of examples of extenuating 

circumstances.

 If you believe that your situation fits within these examples, or presents a 

situation that otherwise qualifies for extenuating circumstances, review the 

information in the Proof of Extenuating Circumstances column to determine if 

your circumstances could qualify you for review.

 Review does not guarantee approval.

 Previous approval based on extenuating circumstances does not guarantee 

further approvals.

 Additional documentation may be required beyond the basic requirements 

listed below.

 Loss of a job, poor economy, etc. alone are generally not considered 

extenuating circumstances.

Adverse 

Credit Reason

Description Proof of Extenuating Circumstances

1 Charged Off 

Account

Any account (open 

or closed) listed as 

an unpaid charge 

off/write off with a 

balance greater than 

zero in the past 5 

years preceding the 

date of the credit 

report.

 Borrower is authorized user on the account. 

 Account has been paid in full. 

 Satisfactory repayment arrangement has been 

established and six months of voluntary, 

consecutive, on-time, full monthly payments 

have been made. 

Example of documentation for the above:

Documentation on creditor company letterhead 

documenting one of the above.

 Account/debt included in a Chapter 13 

Bankruptcy. 

Required documentation:

o Final Order from the bankruptcy court 

indicating the account in question is 
17

Adverse 

Credit Reason

Description Proof of Extenuating Circumstances

included in the bankruptcy.

 Debt Consolidation. 

Required documentation:

o A letter from the debt consolidation 

company on the company's letterhead 

showing all accounts included in the debt 

consolidation. 

AND

o Proof of six months of voluntary, 

consecutive, on-time, full monthly 

payments have been made.

 Divorce. 

Required documentation:

o Final Divorce Decree showing that the 

borrower is not responsible for 

repayment of the debt in question.

2 Collection 

Account

Any account (open 

or closed) listed as 

an unpaid collection 

with a balance 

greater than zero in 

the past 5 years 

preceding the date of 

the credit report. 

By definition, 

accounts in collection 

are more than 90 

days past due.

 Borrower is authorized user on the account. 

 Account has been paid in full. 

 Satisfactory repayment arrangement has been 

established and six months of voluntary, 

consecutive, on-time, full monthly payments 

have been made. 

Example of documentation for the above:

o Documentation on creditor company 

letterhead documenting one of the 

above.

 Account/debt included in a Chapter 13 

Bankruptcy. 

Required documentation:

o Final Order from the bankruptcy court 

indicating the account in question is 

included in the bankruptcy.
18

Adverse 

Credit Reason

Description Proof of Extenuating Circumstances

 Debt Consolidation. 

Required documentation:

o A letter from the debt consolidation 

company on the company's letterhead 

showing all accounts included in the debt 

consolidation. 

AND

o Proof of six months of voluntary, 

consecutive, on-time, full monthly 

payments have been made.

 Divorce. 

Required documentation:

o Final Divorce Decree showing that the 

borrower is not responsible for 

repayment of the debt in question.

3 90 or More 

Days 

Delinquent on 

any Debt

Any account (open 

or closed) that is 

currently 90 or more 

days past due

 Borrower is authorized user on the account. 

 Account has been paid in full. 

 Satisfactory repayment arrangement has been 

established and six months of voluntary, 

consecutive, on-time, full monthly payments 

have been made. 

Example of documentation for above:

o Documentation on creditor company 

letterhead documenting one of the 

above.

 Account/debt included in a Chapter 13 

Bankruptcy. 

Required documentation:

o Final Order from the bankruptcy court 

indicating the account in question is

included in the bankruptcy.

 Debt Consolidation. 
19

Adverse 

Credit Reason

Description Proof of Extenuating Circumstances

Required documentation:

o A letter from the debt consolidation 

company on the company's letterhead 

showing all accounts included in the debt 

consolidation. 

AND

o Proof of six months of voluntary, 

consecutive, on-time, full monthly 

payments have been made.

 Divorce. 

Required documentation:

o Final Divorce Decree showing that the 

borrower is not responsible for 

repayment of the debt in question.

 Federal student loan has been consolidated. 

Required documentation:

o Proof of consolidation: 

 Letter from current lender 

showing loan in question was 

consolidated and the 

consolidation loan is not 

delinquent. 

 Letter from prior lender showing 

loan was bought through a 

consolidation and the 

consolidation loan is not 

delinquent.

 Federal loan is no longer in default. 

Required documentation:

o Documentation on loan holder/servicer 

letterhead verifying that borrower has 

either made satisfactory repayment 

arrangements on the loan or has 

rehabilitated the loan.

4 Wage 

Garnishment

Borrower's wages 

have been garnished 

in the past 5 years 

 Garnishment has been released. 
20

Adverse 

Credit Reason

Description Proof of Extenuating Circumstances

preceding the date of 

the credit report. Required documentation:

o Documentation on official letterhead 

showing the garnishment was released or 

paid in full.

5 Repossession/

Voluntary 

Surrender

Borrower has had a 

repossession or a 

voluntary surrender 

within the past 5 

years preceding the 

date of the credit 

report.

 Account has been paid in full. 

 Satisfactory repayment arrangement has been 

established and six months of voluntary, 

consecutive, on-time, full monthly payments 

have been made. 

Example of documentation for the above:

o Documentation on creditor company 

letterhead documenting one of the 

above.

 Divorce. 

Required documentation:

o Final Divorce Decree showing that the 

borrower is not responsible for 

repayment of the debt in question.

 Car loan has been reinstated. 

Required documentation:

o Documentation on creditor letterhead 

showing borrower is still responsible for 

paying the loan. 

AND

o Six months of voluntary, consecutive, 

on-time, full monthly payments have 

been made.

6 Defaulted 

Loan that is 

Claim Paid

Any Title IV debt 

that is currently in 

default.

 Federal student loan has been consolidated. 

Required documentation:

o Letter from current lender showing loan 

in question was consolidated. 

o Letter from prior lender showing loan 

was bought through a consolidation. 
21

Adverse 

Credit Reason

Description Proof of Extenuating Circumstances

AND

o The consolidation loan is not delinquent.

 Loan is no longer in default. 

Required documentation:

o Documentation on loan holder/servicer 

letterhead verifying that borrower has 

either made satisfactory repayment 

arrangements on the loan or has 

rehabilitated the loan.

7 Foreclosure 

Process 

Started

Mortgage account 

has the loan listed as 

having the 

foreclosure process 

started

 Divorce. 

Required documentation:

o Final Divorce Decree showing that the 

borrower is not responsible for 

repayment of the debt in question.

 Loan Modification Agreement. 

Required documentation:

o Finalized signed and notarized 

modification paperwork and proof of 

payment in accordance with the 

modification agreement.

 Mortgage is Paid-in-Full. 

Required documentation:

o Release of Deed from the lender.

 Short Sale has been approved and completed. 

Required documentation:

o Notarized HUD-1 statement.

8 Deed in Lieu 

of Foreclosure 

Deed in Lieu is being 

reported in the past 

5 years preceding 

the date of the credit 

report.

 Divorce. 

Required documentation:
22

Adverse 

Credit Reason

Description Proof of Extenuating Circumstances

o Final Divorce Decree showing that the 

borrower is not responsible for 

repayment of the debt in question.

 Mortgage is Paid-in-Full. 

Required documentation:

o Release of Deed from the lender.

 Short Sale has been approved and completed. 

Required documentation:

o Notarized final HUD-1 statement.

 Timing Issue regarding deed in lieu. 

Required documentation:

o Proof from Mortgage Company that Deed 

in Lieu is over 5 years old.

9 Foreclosure Borrower has had a 

foreclosure in the 

past 5 years 

preceding the date of 

the credit report.

 Short Sale has been approved and completed. 

Required documentation:

o Finalized HUD-1 statement.

 Mortgage was paid in full before foreclosure. 

Required documentation:

o Cancellation of Sherriff Sale. 

o Release of Deed from the lender.

 Timing Issue regarding foreclosure. 

Required documentation:

o Proof from Mortgage Company that 

foreclosure is over 5 years old.

10 Bankruptcy 

Discharge

Borrower has a 

discharged Chapter 

7, 11 or 12 

Bankruptcy in the 

past 5 years 

 Timing Issue regarding bankruptcy. 

Required documentation:
23

Adverse 

Credit Reason

Description Proof of Extenuating Circumstances

preceding the date of 

the credit report.

o Discharge Paperwork that shows 

bankruptcy was discharged over 5 years 

ago.

 Bankruptcy chapter conversion. 

Required documentation:

o Discharge paperwork or paperwork 

showing that a Chapter 7, 11 or 12 

bankruptcy has been converted into a 

Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

11 Tax Lien Borrower has a 

State, County or 

Federal Tax Lien in 

the last 5 years 

preceding the date of 

the credit report 

regardless of file 

date

 Satisfactory repayment arrangement has been 

established and six months of voluntary, 

consecutive, on-time, full monthly payments 

have been made. 

Example of documentation for the above:

o Documentation on official letterhead 

documenting one of the above.

 Account/debt included in a Chapter 13 

Bankruptcy. 

Required documentation:

o Final Order from the bankruptcy court 

indicating the account in question is 

included in the bankruptcy.

 Lien was incorrectly filed. 

Required documentation:

o Letter on official letterhead showing that 

the lien was filed in error. This is 

sometimes in the form of a release.

 Lien has been released. 

Required documentation:

o Copy of the actual release. 

o Proof of payment.

There may be other documentation required depending on your specific circumstances.
24

If you feel that the information your credit decision is based on is incorrect or you believe 

you qualify for a review based on extenuating circumstances, you may begin the process 

in one of two ways:

1. Log in to StudentLoans.gov and select "Document Extenuating Circumstances" on the left 

navigation bar. Follow directions. Applicant Services will contact you with further 

instructions.

2. Contact Applicant Services between 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Eastern Time, Monday through 

Friday. Applicant Services may be reached toll-free, at 1-800-557-7394.

 I do not want to pursue a Direct PLUS Loan at this time. More Information 

[IF BORROWER SELECTS ‘MORE INFORMATION’ LINK, THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS PRESENTED:]

I will not pursue a Direct PLUS loan at this time – More Information

Contact your school's financial aid office to learn more about your available options.

 Undecided. More Information 

[IF BORROWER SELECTS ‘MORE INFORMATION’ LINK, THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS PRESENTED:]

Undecided - More Information 

If you are not sure of your best choice, contact the school's financial aid office to discuss your 

options.

[ONCE THE USER SELECTS ONE OF THE OPTIONS, THEY MUST SELECT SUBMIT TO COMPLETE 

THE PROCESS]

SUBMIT