PLUS Loan Information

• Federal Direct PLUS program - Provide long-term, low-interest loans directly from the U.S. Department of Education.  If you choose this option, please click here to download the Federal PLUS Loan Request Form and complete the form.

If your application for a PLUS loan is not approved during the credit review process, our office will receive notification of the credit decision.  When a PLUS loan is denied, federal regulations permit the student to borrow additional funds from the Direct Unsubsidized Loan program.   If we receive notification that your application is not approved we will contact you by mail regarding your funding options.

We typically encourage all borrowers to maintain their debt with the same lender.  If you have any outstanding PLUS loans with the Direct Loan program, you may prefer to continue borrowing from this program.   You may be aware that PLUS loans can be consolidated. Information regarding consolidation repayment benefits and options is also included on the chart. 

 We hope these options will assist you in your plans for financing your child’s education at Cal State San Marcos.  If you have questions regarding these lending options, please feel free to contact our office at 760/750-4850 or by email to finaid@csusm.edu.

PLUS DISBURSEMENT INFORMATION

Direct PLUS Loans

• These loans are disbursed by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office to the student account.
• For students enrolled during Fall and Spring, the loan will be evenly disbursed, once per term. If the PLUS loan is for one term only there will be two disbursements during the term.
• If the student’s account has an outstanding balance the Student Financial Services Office will satisfy the outstanding balance with proceeds from the PLUS loan.
•  Credit balances will be processed by the Student Financial Services Office based on the preference stated by the parent on the Federal PLUS Loan Request Form.

FFELP PLUS Loans

• Co-payable checks will be sent to Cal State San Marcos by the parent’s PLUS lender.
• For students enrolled during Fall and Spring, the loan will be evenly disbursed, once per term. If the PLUS loan is for one term only there will be two disbursements during the term.
• If the student’s account is paid in full, the Student Financial Services Office will endorse the check and forward it to the parent.
• If the student’s account has an outstanding balance the Student Financial Services Office will forward the check to the parent for endorsement and require the parent to return the check for processing. Student Financial Services will then satisfy the outstanding balance with proceeds from the PLUS loan. A check for any credit balance will be drawn and forwarded to the parent unless the parent prefers the funds to be delivered to the student.