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Please Note: If you have more than one student in college, you will need to file an individual FAFSA for each student for whom you will borrow a PLUS loan. Before the Direct PLUS loan proceeds can disburse to a student’s account, Wheaton’s Office of Student Financial Services must receive both confirmation from the Department of Education that the applicant has successfully completed a loan promissory note and passed a credit check.

Complete the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Application

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Application is an online application available via Federal Student Aid. Click here to apply . Wheaton will begin to accept applications during the early summer preceding the start of each academic year.

Receive Credit Decision

If you are credit approved for the PLUS loan, it will be added to the student’s financial aid package and your student will receive a revised financial aid notification by email. If you are credit denied* for the PLUS loan, you will receive an email notification from the Department of Education with further instructions.

Complete the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Promissory Note

A legally binding agreement to repay a parent loan, the agreement is between the parent (not the student) and the Department of Education. A student cannot complete the Direct Parent PLUS Loan promissory note on the parent’s behalf.

Complete the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Promissory Note on the Federal Student Aid website.

* In the case of a Parent PLUS Loan Denial: Parents who are denied a PLUS loan based on credit have two options available to them:

  1. Appeal the denial decision with Direct Loan Borrower Services (1-800-848-0979) and/or borrow the loan with a co-signer called the endorser. If you select this option you must also complete the online PLUS Credit Counseling in addition to the PLUS Loan Promissory Note.
  2. The second option allows the student to borrow additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds. Parents who wish to have the student borrow additional Direct Loan proceeds should contact our office by email.

For information regarding the terms and conditions of the Federal Direct PLUS loan please visit the Department of Education’s PLUS Loan information page .

If you have any questions regarding the Direct Loan programs at Wheaton College or the completion of your Direct PLUS Loan application, contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 508-286-8232 or e-mail us at [email protected].