Parent PLUS Loan Guide

Before You Start

Here is some important information to keep in mind when you are completing a PLUS Loan Application.

1. Determine the amount you need to borrow.
   1. Loan amounts cannot exceed a student's cost of attendance minus other aid received.
   2. Starting in aid year 2026-2027, the maximum values parents can borrow in a PLUS are:
      1. Annually:$20,000 on behalf of each student they support
      2. Aggregate (Total over time): $65,000 for each student they support
   3. Note that you may run out of PLUS eligibility for the student you support if you borrow the maximum amount every year!
      1. Year 1: 20,000
      2. Year 2: 20,000
      3. Year 3: 20,000
      4. Year 4: 5,000 (Aggregate Limit is 65,000)
   4. Consider borrowing evenly across four years or the number of years recommended for your degree program.
      1. Example: $65,000/4 = $16,250 per year
      2. This amount would reach the 65,000 aggregate maximum at the end of year four.
2. Students must accept the award in Pathway for the same amount that was requested on the PLUS Application.
   1. If the amount requested on the PLUS loan application is greater than the amount accepted by the student, only the amount accepted by the student in Pathway will be processed.
3. Be sure to communicate with your student to find the amount that works best for the student's needs.
4. A credit check is completed on all PLUS Loan applicants and you must not have an adverse credit history to qualify.
   1. If you have an adverse credit history, you may still become eligible for a Parent PLUS loan through and endorser or documenting extenuating circumstances.
   2. Alternatively, if you are denied a PLUS loan due to adverse credit history, your student may be eligible for an additional amount of Direct Unsubsidized Loan up to the amount an independent student can receive.

Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan

In order for your Parent PLUS loan to be processed by the UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, you must first complete the Parent PLUS Loan Application online at studentaid.gov.

1. Go to the Federal Student Aid website.
2. Click Log In
   1. Sign in using your FSA ID and Password (the same login used to file the FAFSA)
3. Click on Grants and Loans and select the PLUS Loan link
   
4. Select the Learn More
   
5. Read the Things you Should Know Before Continuing and select Start if you desire to proceed.
   

Completing Parent PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Once the Parent PLUS loan application is approved, all first-time parent borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

1. Go to the Federal Student Aid website.
2. Click Log In
   1. Sign in using your FSA ID and Password (the same login used to file the FAFSA)
3. Click on Grants and Loans and select the Master Promissory Note (MPN) link
   
4. Select the Parent of an Undergraduate Student start button
   1.  
   
5. In the School Information section, make sure to include University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC)

Complete PLUS Credit Counseling

Direct Parent PLUS loan borrowers who were originally denied and received a credit override or an endorser are also required to complete PLUS Credit Counseling. The following steps to complete PLUS Credit Counseling are only required for parent borrowers who have:

• Obtained an endorser or
• Documented extenuating circumstances to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education

1. Go to the Federal Student Aid website.
2. Click Log In
   1. Sign in using your FSA ID and Password (the same login used to file the FAFSA)
3. Click on Grants and Loans and select PLUS Loan Credit Counseling
   
4. Select the Parent of an Undergraduate Student start button to begin