Can my ex take out Parent PLUS loans if I already completed the FAFSA as the supporting parent?

Yes, your ex can technically take out Parent PLUS loans even if he wasn't the parent who completed the FAFSA. The Parent PLUS loan application is separate from the FAFSA. Any biological or adoptive parent can apply for a Parent PLUS loan as long as they meet the eligibility requirements (U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen, no default on federal loans, pass credit check, etc.). The student must have a FAFSA on file, but either parent can apply for the PLUS loan regardless of which parent completed the FAFSA or which parent the student lives with.

happened 2 me 2... my ex did this and then tried to make our kid feel guilty about it later. be careful, there might be strings attached. does ur son know about this?

This is a common situation with divorced parents. Here's what you need to know: 1. Parent PLUS loans are completely separate from the FAFSA 2. Either biological/adoptive parent can apply for them regardless of who filled out the FAFSA 3. The loans will be in your ex's name only - he's fully responsible for repayment 4. It won't affect your son's aid package that was based on your income 5. Your ex will need to pass a credit check to qualify One thing to consider - make sure your ex understands these are loans in HIS name, not your son's. Some parents mistakenly think these are student loans the child will repay.

Great questions. Your ex can borrow up to the full Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid received. He won't need information from you directly, but he will need your son's information: - Student's name, SSN, DOB - Student's school code - Information about the academic period for the loan He'll apply directly at studentaid.gov with his own FSA ID. The school financial aid office will verify your son's enrollment and aid package before approving the loan amount.

BE CAREFUL WITH THIS!! I went through EXACTLY this situation with my ex 2 years ago. Here's what happened - he took out the Parent PLUS loans to "help" but then ended up trying to control my daughter's education choices because "he was paying for it." Started demanding she switch majors from art to business and threatening to not take future loans if she didn't comply. It was a NIGHTMARE of manipulation. Make sure you and your son have a VERY clear written agreement with your ex about these loans and his expectations before he takes them out. Don't trust sudden generosity without understanding the motivation!

When I was trying to sort out my son's aid package, I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid to get clear answers about Parent PLUS loans in divorce situations. The wait times were ridiculous, and I kept getting disconnected. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a real person at FSA who could explain all the rules. They have this video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Totally worth it because the agent I spoke with gave me specific documentation about Parent PLUS loans with divorced parents that I couldn't find anywhere online. Apparently there are some nuances about how the loans interact with child support obligations that can vary by state.

im confused... isnt parent plus just for parents who file fafsa? my mom took one out but my dad couldnt cuz he wasnt on my fafsa i think?? anyone else have this happen

Another thing to consider - if your ex takes out these loans, it could potentially impact your son's future financial aid. Not because it changes your income calculation, but because the financial aid office might see additional PLUS loan support and factor that into their professional judgment reviews in future years. Some schools look at the "family contribution" holistically, even from divorced parents. Also, WATCH OUT for the SAI calculation next year! If your ex is suddenly acting financially supportive, he might try to claim your son on his taxes, which could completely change your SAI score for future FAFSA applications.

To clarify a point above - Parent PLUS loans themselves won't impact future aid eligibility through the FAFSA formula. The SAI calculation doesn't consider loans from previous years, only current income and assets. However, some private scholarships and institutional aid may take a more holistic view. The most important thing is to understand that Parent PLUS loans are serious financial obligations. Your ex will be legally responsible for repaying the full amount, and these loans have fewer repayment options than student loans. They also can't be discharged in bankruptcy except in extreme circumstances.

trust ur gut!! my ex did this to look good to his new girlfriend who had college kids... wanted to seem like supportive dad of the year when he hadnt paid full child support in YEARS!!

Document EVERYTHING before he takes any action! I learned this the hard way with my ex. Get any promises or agreements about the loans in writing - what he expects from your son, what happens if he can't pay, etc. Also consider having your son speak directly with the financial aid office at his school. They can explain how having two parents take different types of loans might work and what protections are in place for students. Some schools have specific policies about divorced parents and financial aid that could be helpful. Your instincts about this being suspicious are probably right - protect yourself and your son!

Since your son is over 18, you can't really speak for him with the financial aid office due to FERPA privacy laws - they'll need to hear from him directly or have him sign a release form allowing them to talk to you. I'd suggest having your son initiate the conversation with financial aid, but maybe offer to go with him for support if he wants. That way he's taking ownership of understanding his aid situation while still getting guidance. Also, definitely get any agreements with your ex in writing before he applies for the loans. Even something as simple as a text exchange confirming what he plans to contribute and what (if anything) he expects in return can be helpful documentation later.

As someone who's been through a similar situation with my ex, I'd strongly recommend having a frank conversation with your son before your ex applies for any loans. My ex suddenly wanted to "help" with college costs after years of minimal support, and it turned into a control mechanism. He used the loans as leverage to dictate everything from my daughter's course load to her living arrangements. The key is to establish clear boundaries upfront - what does your ex expect in return for taking on this debt? Is he planning to have input on your son's academic decisions? Will he expect regular updates or have conditions about grades/major? Get all of this spelled out before any loan applications are submitted. Also, make sure your son understands that Parent PLUS loans are entirely your ex's responsibility - your son shouldn't feel guilty or obligated to make certain choices just because his dad is taking on debt. Trust your instincts about the suspicious timing!

I'm going through something similar with my ex right now! One thing I learned from my financial aid counselor is that you should also check if your state has any specific laws about divorced parents and educational expenses. In my state, the court can actually order a non-custodial parent to contribute to college costs even if it wasn't in the original divorce decree. Your ex might be getting ahead of potential legal requirements, or he could be trying to show "voluntary support" to avoid court-ordered payments later. Either way, I agree with everyone saying to document everything and have that conversation with your son ASAP. My daughter was so confused when her dad suddenly wanted to be involved financially after years of excuses. It really helped when I explained the whole situation to her beforehand so she could make informed decisions about accepting his "help.