We encourage you to submit your application by August 15, 2019, in order for the loan credits to be available toward the payment required for fall term registration. Please note that you cannot apply for a PLUS loan prior to June 1st, 2019.

If you are applying for financial aid, you should not submit your loan application until you have received a financial aid decision and can determine how much you will need to borrow.

For New Direct PLUS Borrowers:

1. Complete a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal government requires all PLUS applicants to have a completed FAFSA for the student they are borrowing for on file. Please use our school code, E00468, to designate Harvard to receive the completed FAFSA.
2. Create an FSA Account online. The federal government no longer uses the 4 digit FAFSA PIN to validate student or parent identity. In order to complete an application for a PLUS Loan, you will need a FSA username/ID and password. Account creation takes about 5 minutes to complete and is required to be able to log in to the site.
3. Complete the on-line Master Promissory Note and PLUS Loan Application. In order for us to process your new loan, the borrower information must match exactly the information that was submitted on your original Master Promissory Note. Please note: you must select “Harvard College,” school code G02155, when completing the online PLUS application.

For Returning PLUS Borrowers:

1. Complete a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal government requires all PLUS applicants to have a completed FAFSA for the student they are borrowing for on file. Please use our school code, E00468, to designate Harvard to receive the completed FAFSA.
2. Complete the on-line PLUS Loan Application. In order for us to process your new loan, the borrower information must match exactly the information that was submitted on your original Master Promissory Note. If your address has changed since the last time you applied, please complete a new Master Promissory Note. Please note: you must select “Harvard College,” school code G02155, when completing the online PLUS application.

Please note the Federal PLUS Loan program carries a loan origination fee of 4.248% (and 4.236% for loans first disbursed after October 1, 2019) which will be added to the amount you request online. For example: if you request a loan of $10,000, your application will be processed for $10,442, in order to net the proper amount. Please contact our office with any questions.

If you are denied a PLUS Loan, please refer to our "Direct PLUS Loan Details" sheet found on our website for additional information and next steps.