Can't find Parent PLUS loan application link - where exactly is it on StudentAid.gov?

The Parent PLUS loan application is sometimes tricky to find! You need to log in with YOUR FSA ID (not your son's) at StudentAid.gov. Then look for the 'Apply for Aid' section, and there should be a link specifically for Parent PLUS loans called 'Apply for a PLUS Loan for Parents'. You'll need to complete the application and credit check. Make sure you have your son's school information and the loan amount you want to request ready before you start. Hope this helps!

OMG I had the same issue last month. The website is SO confusing. I kept clicking around in circles for like an hour!

The direct link you want is studentaid.gov/plus-app - this takes you straight to the PLUS loan application. Just make sure YOU (the parent) log in with YOUR FSA ID since you're the borrower, not your student. You'll need to specify which academic year you're applying for (2025-2026), your student's information, and how much you want to borrow. They'll run a credit check immediately. If you're having trouble contacting FSA directly for any questions, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me get through to an actual agent in 10 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. I found it really helpful when I needed clarification on my Parent PLUS application last semester.

ur supposed to apply AFTER the financial aid office reviews the studen't FAFSA i think. has that happened yet?

I'm a financial aid counselor and I see this confusion ALL THE TIME. Here's what's happening: the school lists the PLUS loan as an "offered" item in the aid package, but you still need to actually apply for it separately as a parent. The StudentAid.gov/plus-app link another commenter shared is correct. A few important notes: 1. The parent (not student) must complete this application using the PARENT'S FSA ID 2. You'll need to specify the exact loan amount you want (max is usually listed in the award letter) 3. There's a small loan fee (around 4.2%) that gets deducted from the disbursement, so if you need exactly $10,000 to cover costs, you might want to borrow slightly more to account for the fee 4. The current interest rate for 2025-2026 Parent PLUS loans is 8.05% 5. After approval, you'll also need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) if you haven't done one before The whole process takes about 20-30 minutes if you have all the information ready.

I had the EXACT same problem when trying to help my daughter. The financial aid award letter makes it seem like the PLUS loan is already approved and ready to go, but it's really just saying you're eligible to APPLY for it. The whole system is designed to confuse parents and trap students in debt if you ask me. After fighting with it for three years, I've learned that the entire financial aid system is just a giant scam to make sure colleges get their money regardless of whether families can actually afford it. The PLUS loan program is particularly predatory since they'll loan to parents regardless of ability to repay, and the interest rates are absurd. BUT - to actually answer your question - yes, the studentaid.gov/plus-app link works. Just be VERY CAREFUL about how much you borrow because those loans are almost impossible to discharge even in bankruptcy.

when my son was at school we did the plus loan thing and the money went straight to the school not to us just fyi

Good luck getting through to anyone at Financial Aid this time of year lol. My daughter's application has been "processing" for weeks and every time I call I get disconnected after waiting for an hour. The whole system is broken.

UPDATE: I found it! That direct link (studentaid.gov/plus-app) worked perfectly. I completed the application today using my FSA ID and was instantly approved. The whole process took about 15 minutes once I had the right link. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone else looking - make sure you're logged in as the PARENT, not the student, and have the student's school code and requested loan amount ready.