The Office of Financial Aid

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Quick Facts

Time to Complete: ~20 minutes (Single session required)

Who Applies: The biological/adoptive parent (or stepparent) using their own verified FSA ID.

Borrowing Limits:

• Legacy Borrowers: Up to the full Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid
• New Borrowers (Starting Fall 2026): Capped at $20,000/year and a $65,000 lifetime limit per student

Before You Begin – Ensure the parent borrower has the following ready:

• Parent FSA ID: Do not use the student's login
• School Name: University of California, Riverside – Code 001316
• Personal Info: Social Security Number and Employer Information
• Student Info: Student's full legal name and date of birth

Application Steps

Log In: Go to StudentAid.gov and select "Apply for a PLUS Loan" under the Parent menu.

Start Application: Select the appropriate Award Year and enter the student, school (UCR), and loan information.

Specify Amount: You may choose to borrow the "Maximum" or enter a specific "Requested Amount."

Review & Submit: Carefully verify all "Important Notices" and "Certifications" before submitting for a credit check.

Complete the MPN: If credit is approved, borrowers must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at the same website before funds can be released.

If Your Application if Denied: If you receive a credit denial, you have three options:

• Option 1: Add an Endorser. Apply with a credit-worthy co-signer.
• Option 2: Appeal. Appeal the credit decision directly with the Dept. of Education.
• Option 3: Student Eligibility. If the parent chooses to accept the denial and not pursue the loan, the student may become eligible for additional Unsubsidized Loans (up to $4,000 for Fr/So and $5,000 for Jr/Sr).