The Graduate PLUS Loan
Effective as of July 1, 2026, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Graduate PLUS loans will only be available to grandfathered students, provided they have remaining cost of attendance eligibility and meet credit approval requirements. Non-grandfathered students will no longer be eligible to receive the Graduate PLUS loans.
Highlights
- Lower interest rate than most private educational loans.
- Fixed interest for the life of the loan. View details on the current interest rate.
- Possible program incentives to lower the rate.
- Eligibility based on review of “adverse credit” rather than “credit scoring.”
- Lack of credit history or insufficient credit history is not considered.
- Amount of eligibility determined using the same formula as private loans.
- Cost of Attendance (COA) – All Other Aid = PLUS Loan Eligibility
- Can be consolidated with other federal loans upon graduation.
Applying for the Loan
Students may be eligible for the Graduate PLUS loan; however, it is not offered automatically. Those interested must complete the Loan Adjustment Form. Students must speak with a Financial Aid representative to request this form.
Once the Graduate PLUS loan is offered to you, log in to Student Financial Aid Dashboard and accept it. You can accept the full loan offer or a partial amount, depending on what you need. Please remember, accepting your loan is not a guarantee you will receive it. The Graduate PLUS loan is “credit-based” which means that adverse credit may result in the denial of your Graduate PLUS Loan (or a request for an endorser). See “What is Adverse Credit” below for more details.
If the credit review is approved and the lender receives both the student’s application and the school’s certification for the loan, applicants must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The simplest and quickest way to submit the MPN for the Graduate PLUS loan is to complete it online at StudentAid.gov. Applicants have the option of completing a paper version of the MPN; however, this may cause unnecessary delays as processing time is increased for paper, mailed copies.
Once applicants complete all steps, funds will be disbursed to the school at the appropriate time. The loan will be disbursed in equal installments by the lender to Regent University according to a student’s aid period. An aid period represents the semesters in which a student is expected to enroll (Fall & Spring, Fall, Spring, & Summer, Fall only, etc.). If the Graduate PLUS loan disbursement results in a credit balance, a refund of that credit balance will be issued according to the normal university refund procedure. For continued Graduate PLUS loan eligibility, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Important Information About Origination
Please know that Regent University will be working diligently to ensure your Graduate PLUS Loan is originated in a timely manner. While not expected, should any delays occur, we will do our best to notify applicants and offer possible alternatives.
What About Repayment?
As with your Federal Direct Loan, new Graduate PLUS Loans that were disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, will have a six-month grace period upon a change in your enrollment to less than half-time. Graduate PLUS Loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2008, will continue to go into repayment immediately upon enrollment change to less than half-time.
Loan Eligibility
In order to qualify to receive a Graduate PLUS loan, a student must be enrolled and attend degree seeking classes/submit assignments on at least a half-time basis, regardless of the stage of his or her program. Courses must be required for degree completion. Loan borrowers must notify the Office of Advising if they wish to register for any courses not required in their degree plan as this can adversely impact their federal aid. Visit our Financial Aid Enrollment Requirements website page here for detailed credit hour requirements required for halftime enrollment.
If a student plans on changing their enrollment after receiving a student loan, he or she should contact Student Financial Aid before making any final decision or submitting paperwork. A representative will review with you the effects dropping course(s) will have on your loan eligibility.
With the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, students classified as non-grandfathered are subject to the new rules and loan limits. Students who meet the following criteria below, on or before June 30, 2026, are classified as grandfathered and remain eligible under the old loan limits and rules:
- Enrolled in a program of study at an institution as of June 30, 2026, and
- A direct loan was made for that same program of study prior to July 1, 2026.
Students will retain grandfathered status until:
- Completion of the degree at the same institution, or
- A student will remain eligible for grandfathered status during the period of the student’s “expected time to credential.” This means the student will remain eligible for either 3 academic years, or the length of time the student is expected to complete degree requirements, whichever is shorter.
- Withdrawing, or otherwise ceasing enrollment at that institution.
The total loan amount a student is eligible for is based on the following formula:
Cost of Attendance (COA) – Aid (scholarships, etc.) = Total Loan Eligibility
The following formula determines a student’s eligibility for a Graduate PLUS Loan:
COA – Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – Aid – Direct Loans = Graduate PLUS Loan Eligibility.
Applying for Aid
Students are encouraged to begin the financial aid application process in conjunction with their admissions application. Although a financial aid award cannot be made until a student is accepted, all necessary paperwork will be on file to expedite the awarding process upon acceptance. Students interested in borrowing a Graduate PLUS Loan should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after October 1st as possible or when the previous year’s taxes are completed. Student Financial Aid suggests submitting the FAFSA by March 15 to ensure timely processing and arrival of funds for the fall semester.
The FAFSA may be submitted one of two ways. The student may fill out the paper application or complete the FAFSA online. Submitting the FAFSA online greatly reduces the processing time of the application and requires the submission of a signature page.
Early submission of applications helps to ensure the arrival of funds by the final payment deadline. It also allows for necessary information to be available when Student Financial Aid begins the awarding process.
Where can I Find More Information?
General information can be found on finaid.org or on our recommended lenders websites.
What is Adverse Credit?
Unlike private alternative loans, Graduate PLUS Loans are not based on your credit score. This difference should make the loan more easily obtainable for those with little or no credit history.
Adverse credit is defined to mean as of the date of the credit report, the applicant:
- Is 90 or more days delinquent on any debt with an outstanding balance of $2,085 or more (including unpaid collection accounts and charge-offs); or
- Has been the subject of a default determination, bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or write-off of debt during the five years preceding the date of the credit report.