Where to apply for subsidized, unsubsidized, and Parent PLUS loans for out-of-state college?

Congrats on your daughter's acceptance! For all federal student loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, and Parent PLUS), you apply through the FAFSA at studentaid.gov - it's the same process regardless of what state you live in or what state the college is in. The FAFSA application is the first step. Once that's processed, your daughter will receive a financial aid offer from her NY college that may include subsidized and/or unsubsidized loans. If those don't cover everything, that's when you (the parent) can apply for a Parent PLUS loan, also through studentaid.gov. Just make sure you complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA if she's starting this fall. And yes, do it ASAP because some aid is first-come, first-served!

Apply at fasfa.gov it's were we got are loans for my son when he stared at school in PA. We live in NJ and it didn't matter.

Everyone here is correct that you start with the FAFSA at studentaid.gov, but there are specific steps after that for each loan type: 1. Subsidized/Unsubsidized Direct Loans: After FAFSA processing, your daughter needs to log into studentaid.gov, complete entrance counseling, and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). 2. Parent PLUS loans: You (the parent) must separately apply for this at studentaid.gov after the FAFSA is processed. You'll need your own FSA ID (not your daughter's), complete a credit check, and sign your own MPN. The FAFSA itself doesn't directly give you loans - it determines eligibility, then you need to take those additional steps to actually secure the loans. Don't wait for the school's aid package to get started on the entrance counseling for your daughter!

Your daughter should wait until after getting the aid package to complete entrance counseling and the MPN, because that's when you'll know which loans she's being offered. Entrance counseling isn't a class - it's an online module (takes about 30 minutes) that explains loan terms, repayment obligations, and financial responsibility. It's required for first-time borrowers before loan funds are disbursed. For Parent PLUS loans, you don't need to do anything until you see the aid package. The package will show how much your daughter can borrow in Direct loans, then you'll know if you need Parent PLUS loans to cover the remaining costs.

im in NJ and my kid goes to school in CA and we just did the fafsa thing and got subsidized loans. its not a state thing its a federal thing so same process for everyone

Has anyone dealt with extreme delays trying to call the Federal Student Aid helpline about loans? My daughter is also going to an out-of-state school, and we're trying to figure out if we qualify for Parent PLUS with some credit issues, but I've been on hold for HOURS multiple days. So frustrating!

Yes - I found out that for Parent PLUS loans, they do check credit but they're mainly looking for "adverse credit history" like defaults, bankruptcies, or accounts in collection. They don't have minimum credit score requirements like private loans do. If you do get denied, your daughter becomes eligible for additional unsubsidized loans automatically, or you can try again with an endorser (like a co-signer).

AVOID PARENT PLUS LOANS IF YOU CAN!!! The interest rates are RIDICULOUS compared to the regular student loans. Our first child graduated 2 years ago and we're still buried in Parent PLUS debt. The subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans have much better rates and more flexible repayment options. Max those out first! Also look into private loans before Parent PLUS - if you have decent credit you can probably get a better rate.

Does anyone know if we need to fill out a separate CSS Profile for the NY school? I've heard some schools require that in addition to FAFSA, but I'm not sure if that's related to the federal loans or something else entirely.