
Editing the amount on your Parent PLUS student loan can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. You can only edit the amount online if you have a FSA ID, which is a username and password you create with the U.S. Department of Education.
To edit the amount, you'll need to log in to your account and click on the "View and Manage Your Loan" section. This is where you can make changes to your loan, including editing the amount.
Keep in mind that you can only edit the amount during the annual review period, which is usually around October of each year.
Applying for Direct Payment
To apply for a Parent PLUS loan, you and your student must first complete a FAFSA.
Your student must also complete all the items under their Priority Tasks on My ASU for the loan to be processed.
If your student is graduating in the fall, they must apply for graduation and notify Financial Aid and Scholarship Services in writing that they plan to graduate and will only need their Parent PLUS loan for one semester.

The loan proceeds will be disbursed and applied to your student's account at their university.
Any excess funds on the student's account will be refunded by paper check or direct deposit (if requested).
You can find the University Refund Processing Schedule and individual contact information from the Office of Enrollment Services - Student Financial Services.
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Understanding Direct Payment
Direct Payment can be a bit tricky to understand, but it's actually quite straightforward once you get the hang of it.
If you need to request a change to your Direct Parent PLUS Loan, you can do so by completing a Federal Direct Loan Reduction Request, which is available on the Forms page.
To request a reduction or cancellation, you'll need to fill out this form, which makes the process relatively easy.
You cannot increase your Direct Parent PLUS Loan, so if you need more money, you'll need to initiate a second loan following the same steps as the first one.
Amount and Limits
The amount you can borrow for a Parent PLUS loan is determined by your student's estimated cost of attendance minus any other financial aid they receive.
To give you a better idea, here are the specific details: the maximum Parent PLUS Loan Award Year amount is equal to the student's Cost of Attendance minus his or her Estimated Financial Assistance. The minimum loan amount is $100 per semester.
Direct Refunds
Direct Refunds are handled by the University, and any excess funds on your account will be refunded by paper check or direct deposit if requested.
The University Refund Processing Schedule is available from the Office of Enrollment Services - Student Financial Services, so be sure to check that out for more information.
Any loan proceeds will be disbursed and applied to your student's account at the University, and then any excess funds will be refunded.
Curious to learn more? Check out: How to Find Student Loan Account Number
What Are the Limits?
The Parent PLUS Loan limits can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, I'm here to break it down for you.
The maximum Parent PLUS Loan Award Year amount is equal to the student's Cost of Attendance minus his or her Estimated Financial Assistance.
You can borrow a minimum of $100 per semester, which might not seem like a lot, but it's a good starting point.
The amount you can borrow is determined by your student's estimated cost of attendance less any other financial aid they get.
Here's a quick rundown of the Parent PLUS Loan limits:
- Maximum: Cost of Attendance minus Estimated Financial Assistance
- Minimum: $100 per semester
You should apply for only what you feel is necessary given your family's financial situation, and the amount you accept should reflect the amount you wish to borrow for your student's actual period of enrollment.
Amounts
The amount you can borrow with a Parent PLUS Loan is determined by your student's cost of attendance minus their estimated financial assistance. This will give you the maximum amount you can borrow.
The minimum loan amount is $100 per semester, so you won't be able to borrow less than that. This is a pretty standard minimum, and it's good to know what to expect.
Here's a breakdown of the key points to keep in mind:
- Maximum loan amount: student's cost of attendance minus estimated financial assistance
- Minimum loan amount: $100 per semester
Repayment and Options

Repaying Parent PLUS loans can be a complex process, but understanding your options can make it more manageable. You can choose from various repayment plans, including the income-contingent repayment plan, which allows for lower monthly payments based on your income.
To qualify for the income-contingent plan, you may need to consolidate your Parent PLUS Loans into a single federal direct loan after you finish borrowing for your student or students. This can help you make lower monthly payments if you qualify.
You can also consider a 10-year extended repayment plan or a Parent PLUS consolidation loan, which doesn't require income verification. Consolidating your loans can potentially give you a 30-year repayment term, keeping payments low, but be aware that you may end up paying more over the life of the loan if you extend the term.
Here are some key repayment plan options to consider:
- Income-contingent repayment plan (requires income verification)
- 10-year extended repayment plan or a Parent PLUS consolidation loan (income verification not required)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - possible forgiveness for public service employers in specific roles
Remember, you can always repay student loans early without penalty, so consider choosing a longer, more affordable repayment option and making extra payments.
Paying Back

Paying back Parent PLUS loans can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. You can't transfer repayment responsibility to the student, so if you want them to take over the debt, consider cosigning a private student loan instead.
You can choose from various repayment plans to make paying back Parent PLUS loans more manageable. One option is the income-contingent repayment plan, which requires income verification and can result in higher payments, but still allows for lower monthly payments if you qualify. To qualify, you may want to consolidate your Parent PLUS Loans to one federal direct loan after you finish all the borrowing for your student or students.
The 10-year extended repayment plan or a Parent PLUS consolidation loan is another option, which doesn't require income verification. Consolidation means combining all your loans into a single loan, potentially allowing you to choose a repayment plan for up to 30 years to keep payments low. However, keep in mind that extending the term may result in paying more over the life of the loan.
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You can also consider the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which may forgive some Parent PLUS Loans if you work for specific public service employers in specific roles. To get an idea of whether you could qualify, call the number on the PSLF employer certification form.
Here are some repayment plan options to consider:
- Income-contingent repayment plan (requires income verification)
- 10-year extended repayment plan or a Parent PLUS consolidation loan (income verification not required)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
Remember, you can always repay student loans early without penalty, so it may help to choose a longer, more affordable repayment option and make extra payments. Ten dollars per month or more added to your monthly payment may reduce months off your total repayment time frame.
Options for You
If you're a parent struggling to make ends meet, there are options available to help you manage your Parent PLUS Loan payments. You can choose from different repayment plans to find one that suits your financial situation.
One option is the Income-Contingent Repayment plan, which allows you to make lower monthly payments if you qualify. To qualify, you may want to consider consolidating your Parent PLUS Loans to one federal direct loan after you finish all the borrowing for your student or students.
For another approach, see: Can You Make Student Loan Payments with a Credit Card

You can also opt for a 10-year extended repayment plan or a Parent PLUS consolidation loan, which can help keep payments low. However, keep in mind that extending the term of your loan may result in paying more over the life of the loan.
Another option is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), which may allow you to get some Parent PLUS Loans forgiven if you work for specific public service employers in specific roles. To get an idea of whether you could qualify, call the number on the PSLF employer certification form.
You can always repay student loans early without penalty, so consider choosing a longer, more affordable repayment option and making extra payments. Even sending in just a few extra dollars monthly can reduce the balance and the interest charged.
Here are some repayment plan options to consider:
Dealing with Rejection
Rejection for a Parent PLUS Loan doesn't have to be a roadblock for your student's education.

If you're rejected for a Parent PLUS Loan, your student may be eligible for more federal student loans at a lower interest rate.
Your student could still have to find other methods for filling remaining financial aid gaps, like a private student loan.
Rejection for a Parent PLUS Loan means your student may have to explore alternative options for funding their education.
Federal Direct Loan Changes
To make changes to a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, you can use the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Change form. This form is used to request a loan decrease, cancellation, or increase to an existing loan.
The loan borrower must have an active application on file to use this form. Parents who wish to apply for a Parent PLUS loan should visit studentloans.gov instead.
To request an increase, the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan credit check must be active and the maximum Loan indicator must be selected on the initial application.
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Federal Direct

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a non-need-based loan made to parents of dependent undergraduate students. The loan is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are the parents (including adoptive or stepparents) of students enrolled at least half-time in 6 or more credits.
The interest rate for the 2024-2025 PLUS Loan is fixed at 9.08% until June 30, 2025. This is a relatively low interest rate compared to other loan options.
A Loan Origination Fee of 4.228% is charged with the principal amount of each loan. This fee is deducted by the U.S. Department of Education before the loan is disbursed, so the loan amount disbursed will be less than the amount originally borrowed.
Repayment begins 60 days after the full disbursement of the loan. Parents are responsible for repaying the entire amount, including the fee.
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Federal Direct Change
You can use the Federal Direct Change form to request a loan decrease, cancellation, or increase to an existing loan.

To request a reduction, you'll need to contact the Parent PLUS borrower to complete the request. The loan borrower must have an active application on file to use this form.
Parents who wish to apply for a Parent PLUS loan should visit studentloans.gov to get started.
Increase requests are honored when the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan credit check is active and the maximum Loan indicator is selected on the initial application.
If your request cannot be processed, you'll be notified by the parent and/or student.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I edit my parent PLUS loan amount?
To edit your parent PLUS loan amount, contact the Direct Loans Student Loan Support Center at 1-800-557-7394 and select the option to change the loan amount.
Sources
- https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/faforms/change-in-aid
- https://tuition.asu.edu/financial-aid/loans/parent-plus
- https://financial-aid.catholic.edu/undergraduate/aid-programs/federal-direct-parent-plus-loan.html
- https://osfa.uga.edu/types-of-aid/undergraduate/loans/federal-direct-parent-plus-loan/
- https://www.salliemae.com/blog/what-is-a-parent-plus-loan/
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