Do Parent PLUS loans need new application each semester or just once annually?

Parent PLUS loans are generally for the full academic year, not by semester. When your mom initially applied, she should have requested the total amount needed for both fall and spring. However, the loan is typically disbursed in two equal payments (one per semester). You shouldn't need to submit a new application, but you might need to request an increase to the original loan amount if it wasn't enough to cover both semesters. Log into studentaid.gov with your mom's FSA ID, go to the Parent PLUS section, and look for an option to request an increase to an existing loan.

The whole parent plus loan thing is super confusing!! I did the same thing last year and ended up having to call FSA like 3 times to fix it. In my case we had to do a whole new application for spring but that might be because we waited too long??

To clarify some confusion here: Parent PLUS loans can be requested for the full academic year OR for a single semester. The application asks for the loan period and amount requested. If your mother only requested fall semester in the loan period section, then yes, you'll need to submit a new application for spring. If she requested the full academic year but the amount wasn't enough to cover both semesters, you can request an increase without a new application. To check this: 1. Log into studentaid.gov with your mom's FSA ID 2. Go to My Loan Documents 3. Find the Parent PLUS loan application 4. Check the "loan period" section - this will tell you if it was for fall only or the full year The deadline depends on your school, but generally you want to submit at least 4-6 weeks before payment is due. If you need to act quickly, I'd recommend calling FSA directly.

I had the EXACT same issue with Parent PLUS loans last year! Spent hours trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid to help with the application for spring semester. After getting disconnected 5 times, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent confirmed we needed a new application since we originally only applied for fall semester. The good news is that since your parent was already approved once this academic year, the spring application should go through faster as long as nothing major has changed with their credit.

omg the timing of this post!! i'm literally dealing with the SAME thing right now with my dad's parent plus loan. the whole system is a nightmare!!!

The financial aid system is DELIBERATELY confusing. They make it complicated so people give up or make mistakes and then hit you with late fees. I've been dealing with this Parent PLUS nonsense for 3 years now with my two kids in college. Every semester it's a new headache. The loan servicers don't care - they just want the interest payments to keep flowing. And don't get me started on how these loans affect parents' credit and retirement planning. The whole system is predatory!

An important detail I want to add: If you need to submit a new Parent PLUS application for spring, make sure your mom also completes a new Master Promissory Note (MPN) specifically for this new loan. Many people forget this step and it causes disbursement delays. The credit check is good for 180 days, so if it's been less than that since the fall application, you might not need a new credit check (though policies can vary).

when my daughter was in school we always had to do the parent plus application twice a year. once for fall and again for spring. but her school might have been different from yours. your financial aid office should really answer these questions!!!! that's literally their job

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at my school's financial aid office! Turns out my mom did only apply for fall semester. We need to submit a brand new Parent PLUS application for spring and specify the spring semester dates in the application. The counselor said we should do this ASAP since it can take 3-4 weeks to process, and we'll need to complete a new Master Promissory Note as well. Thanks everyone for your help! I feel much less confused now.

Glad you got it figured out! I went through the same confusion last year. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure to check the loan disbursement schedule with your school's bursar office too. Sometimes even after the Parent PLUS loan is approved, there can be delays in when the funds actually hit your student account. My school had specific disbursement dates that were different from when FSA approved the loan. Also, keep all the paperwork from both applications organized - you'll need it for tax purposes later since the IRS treats each semester's loan separately for the American Opportunity Tax Credit calculations.

Just wanted to add another perspective from someone who's been through this multiple times with different schools. Some schools have their own internal deadlines for Parent PLUS applications that are earlier than the federal deadlines, so definitely confirm those dates with your financial aid office. Also, if your mom gets denied for any reason on the spring application (even though she was approved for fall), you as the student become eligible for additional unsubsidized Direct Loans - I think it's an extra $4,000-5,000 depending on your year in school. This happened to a friend of mine when her parent's credit situation changed between semesters. It's not ideal since student loans have different terms than Parent PLUS, but it can be a backup option if needed. Good luck with the application process!