Parent PLUS Loans for College Education

By
MeekOmar
-

Parent PLUS Loans. Are you a parent trying to figure out how to pay for your child’s college? College costs a lot, but there are ways to get help. One way is with a Parent PLUS Loan. It’s a loan from the government to help parents pay for their child’s college. If you’re wondering how these loans work and if they’re right for you, this guide will explain everything in easy terms.

Parent PLUS Loans for College Education

In this article, we’ll explore Parent PLUS Loans. We’ll cover what Parent PLUS Loans are, how to apply, their benefits, drawbacks, and alternatives. Whether you’re considering this loan to fund your child’s education or simply want to learn more. This guide will provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions.

What are Parent PLUS Loans?

Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans that parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college or career school. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender for these loans. Parent PLUS Loans can cover the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, room and board, books, and other educational expenses.

These loans have a fixed interest rate and are available to parents regardless of their income, as long as they meet certain eligibility requirements. Unlike other federal student loans, it requires a credit check. However, the credit requirements are less strict than those for private student loans.

Parents are responsible for repaying the loan, not the student. Repayment typically begins after the loan is fully disbursed, but parents can request a deferment while the student is in school. Parent PLUS Loans offer several repayment options, including standard, graduated, and income-contingent plans.

Benefits of Parent PLUS Loans

Parent PLUS Loans offer several benefits that can make them an attractive option for parents looking to help their child pay for college or career school:

  • Fixed interest rates: The interest rate on your loan won’t change, even if national interest rates rise.
  • Borrow up to the cost of attendance: Parents can borrow up to the complete cost of attendance, deducting any other financial assistance the student receives.
  • Flexible repayment options: It offers a handful of flexible student loan repayment plans that you can easily change to fit your needs.
  • Deferment and forbearance options: It also qualify for deferment and forbearance, allowing you to pause payments in some cases.
  • Potential for loan forgiveness: They are eligible for limited forgiveness options, notably through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and ICR Plan.
  • Tax-deductible interest: Interest paid on it is tax-deductible. You can deduct up to $2,500 per year in interest paid on the loans.
  • Not solely based on credit score: You don’t need a specific credit score to have your Parent PLUS Loan application approved.

Eligibility Criteria for Parent PLUS loans

To be eligible for a Parent PLUS Loan, you must meet the criteria. Here are the criteria listed below:

  • Parent Eligibility:
    • The borrower must be the biological or adoptive mother or father of the student.
    • If the parent has remarried, the spouse is also eligible if their income and assets were taken into consideration when completing the Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Student Eligibility:
    • The student must be enrolled at least half-time in school.
    • The student must meet the school’s standards for satisfactory academic progress.
  • Citizenship: The borrower must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. national, or eligible non-citizen.
  • Credit Guidelines: The borrower must not have an adverse credit history.

How to Apply for Parent PLUS Loans

To apply for a Parent PLUS Loan, you’ll need to follow some steps. Here are the steps below:

  1. Have your child complete the FAFSA:
    • Your child must complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • This form determines your child’s eligibility to receive federal financial aid to help them pay for school
  2. Gather the necessary documents:
    • Your verified FSA ID.
    • Your requested loan amount.
    • Verification of Student Enrollment.
    • Proof of Citizenship or Eligible Non-Citizen Status.
    • Information about your child.
    • Information about yourself.
    • Information about your employer.
  3. Decide how much you want to borrow:
    • You can either request to borrow the maximum you’re eligible for, which is based on your child’s cost of attendance and other financial assistance.
    • Or you can request a specific amount.
  4. Complete the Parent PLUS Application:
    • The Department of Education has a simple online application process that can be completed in 20 minutes.
    • You can find the application on the Federal Student Aid website.
  5. Sign your Master Promissory Note:
    • Before receiving your Parent PLUS loan funds, you must sign the Master Promissory Note required for all Direct PLUS loans.
    • This promissory note is a legal agreement you sign agreeing to the loan’s terms, including how you repay the loan, including any interest and fees.

Loan Limits and Interest Rates

The loan limits and interest rates for Parent PLUS loans will be listed below. Here are the loan limits and interest rates below:

1. Loan Limits:

  • Unlike student loans with set maximum amounts based on year of study, Parent PLUS loans have a flexible limit. The maximum you can borrow is the total cost of attendance (COA) for your child’s school minus any other financial aid they receive (grants, scholarships, work-study awards). The COA is determined by the school and includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other approved educational expenses.

2. Interest Rates:

  • It has a fixed interest rate, which means the rate stays the same throughout the life of the loan. The interest rate is set annually on July 1st and applies to new loans disbursed after that date. For the 2023-2024 school year (loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024). The fixed interest rate is 8.05%.

Repayment Options

Parent PLUS Loans offer several repayment options to help parents manage their loan payments. Here are some common repayment options:

  1. Standard Repayment Plan: Under this plan, you will make fixed monthly payments over, typically 10 years or up to 20 years period. This is the default repayment plan for Parent PLUS Loans. Fixed monthly payments of at least $50 for up to 10 years.
  2. Graduated Repayment Plan: This plan starts with lower monthly payments that gradually increase over time, usually every two years. The repayment period is still 10 years.
  3. Extended Repayment Plan: This plan allows you to extend the repayment period to up to 25 years, depending on the total amount of your loan. This can result in lower monthly payments, but you will pay more in interest over the life of the loan.
  4. Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan: This plan bases your monthly payment amount on your income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans. Your monthly payment amount may be adjusted annually. Payments can be as low as $5.

Drawbacks of Parent PLUS Loans

While Parent PLUS Loans offer several benefits, there are also some drawbacks that parents should consider:

  • High-Interest Rate: Parent PLUS loans have a higher interest rate (currently 8.05%) compared to other federal student loans.
  • Fees: There is an origination fee of 4.228% deducted from the loan before disbursement.
  • Credit Check: Parents must pass a credit check to be eligible, which can be a barrier for those with poor credit history.
  • Repayment Terms: Repayment begins immediately after disbursement, and parents are solely responsible for repayment.
  • No Grace Period: There is no grace period for Parent PLUS loans, meaning payments are due immediately.
  • Limited Forgiveness Options: Parent PLUS loans are not eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and have limited forgiveness options.
  • Impact on Credit Score: Missed payments or default can negatively impact the parent’s credit score.
  • No Income-Driven Repayment: Parent PLUS loans are not eligible for income-driven repayment plans, which can make repayment more challenging.
  • Higher Monthly Payments: Parent PLUS loans often have higher monthly payments compared to other federal student loans.
  • Limited Deferment and Forbearance Options: Parent PLUS loans have limited deferment and forbearance options, making it difficult to temporarily suspend payments.

Parent PLUS Loan Forgiveness and Discharge

Parent PLUS Loans are not eligible for most federal student loan forgiveness programs that are available to students who take out federal student loans for their own education. However, there are a few circumstances under which a Parent PLUS Loan may be eligible for forgiveness or discharge:

  • Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR): Parent PLUS loans are forgiven after 25 years of repayment.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Borrowers must make 120 qualifying payments before they can apply for forgiveness.
  • Discharge due to death: If the parent PLUS borrower or the child for whom they took out a loan dies, the loan is forgiven.
  • Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge: If the parent borrower becomes totally and permanently disabled, their loans may be discharged.
  • Closed School Discharge: Parents may be eligible for discharge if their child’s school closed before the child could complete their degree program.

Alternatives to Parent PLUS Loans

There are several alternatives to Parent PLUS Loans that parents can consider to help their child pay for college or career school:

  1. Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans: These loans have lower interest rates and more favorable terms than Parent PLUS Loans.
  2. Private Student Loans: Private lenders offer student loans with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms.
  3. Scholarships and Grants: Explore scholarship and grant opportunities to help fund your child’s education.
  4. Work-Study Programs: Federal Work-Study (FWS) programs provide part-time jobs for students to help pay for education expenses.
  5. Student Employment: Encourage your child to find a part-time job to help cover education expenses.
  6. 529 College Savings Plan: A tax-advantaged savings plan designed to help families save for higher education expenses.
  7. Education Tax Credits: Claim tax credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) or Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) for education expenses.
  8. State-Specific Programs: Many states offer their own student loan programs or scholarships.
  9. Private Financing Options: Companies like SoFi, CommonBond, and Earnest offer private student loans with competitive rates and terms.
  10. Community Resources: Local organizations, foundations, and charities may offer scholarships or education funding assistance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Parent PLUS Loans can be a valuable tool for parents looking to support their child’s college education. They offer fixed interest rates, flexible repayment options, and the potential for loan forgiveness. However, it’s important to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks, such as the higher interest rates and lack of income-driven repayment plans. By knowing how Parent PLUS Loans work and exploring alternative options, parents can make informed decisions about financing their child’s education.