Applying for a federal PLUS loan requires a separate application in addition to the FAFSA!  By following the steps below, you may complete a credit pre-approval and sign a Master Promissory Note with a lender of your choice.

Graduate/professional students now have the option to take advantage of the federal PLUS loan previously offered to the parents of undergraduate students only. The Graduate PLUS program is a loan for graduate/professional students in their own name. This loan will give graduate/professional students a valuable federal loan alternative to private loans. Just like parent borrowers, graduate/professional students will be able to borrow under the PLUS program up to the cost of education less other aid received.

For additional information on the Federal PLUS loan, click here. Please print this instruction page for easy reference.

1. Apply Online

New Graduate PLUS and Parent PLUS borrowers

All PLUS borrowers will complete the application process via the web through Sallie Mae’s OpenNet web site. Borrowers will be able to complete an application to request pre-approval for the PLUS loan and electronically sign their Master Promissory Note (first time borrowers only).

To begin the process, borrowers must first select a lender by clicking on “apply now” under the specific lender section. All of the lenders on our “Preferred Lender” list come highly recommended by our office for their excellent benefits and services offered to LSU borrowers. Next, you will create a unique borrower id and password. You should then select the Start a New Loan option and enter the requested information. A credit check will be performed. If your credit is approved, you will electronically sign your PLUS Master Promissory Note.

Click here to select your Graduate PLUS lender

Click here to select your Parent PLUS lender

Returning PLUS borrowers

If you are a Serial borrower, which means you borrowed a PLUS loan for the 07-08 academic year with a Master Promissory Note, please click here. This will take you directly into Sallie Mae’s processing system to Start a Loan for the 08-09 academic year. You will not be required to sign a new Master Promissory Note. If a valid note cannot be found, you would be required to sign a new note.

Note to parents who receive a credit denial:  If your Parent PLUS loan is not approved, Sallie Mae will notify LSU.  Your student may be eligible for additional federal unsubsidized Stafford loans due to the PLUS denial.  The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Aid will contact your student by email regarding this additional aid

2. Wait for School Certification.

Once Sallie Mae approves the PLUS request and they are in possession of the Master Promissory Note, Sallie Mae will request certification of PLUS eligibility from LSU. If Sallie Mae is unable to pre-approve your PLUS loan, your application will be automatically evaluated to determine if the credit issues resulting in your denial can be resolved. Sallie Mae may ask you to submit additional information in order to get your PLUS loan approved. If you are selected to go through this process and are approved, you will be required to electronically sign a Master Promissory Note.

You have the right to request a cancellation or a reduction of your PLUS loan provided you submit written notification to the Office of Student Aid and Scholarships, Room 1146 Pleasant Hall .