The student borrower must meet the general requirements listed below.
- Student must have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Student must be matriculated in a degree program.
- Student must be registered on at least a half-time basis (6 credits per term).
- Student must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Student must not be in default on a federal educational loan or owe an overpayment on an educational grant.
- Student borrower must have a satisfactory credit history as determined by the federal loan servicer.
- Student borrower and student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
The Department of Education will check your credit when you apply for the loan. If you are found to have an adverse credit history, you may still borrow a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan if you get an endorser who does not have such a history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the loan if you do not. In some cases, you may also be able to obtain a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan if you document to the Department of Education’s satisfaction that there are extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history.