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Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is a federally guaranteed and regulated loan that allows graduate or professional students to fund the entire cost of attendance, less awarded aid. Allowable costs include: tuition, room and board, fees, books, supplies, and other related expenses the financial aid office has set for their institutional budget, in accordance with federal guidelines. To apply, check your school's web site for an electronic application. Our lender name is: BONY Trust Co. for College Solutions Network (Lender ID: 834158).
Eligibility Requirements for Graduate or Professional Student Borrowers:
- U.S. citizen or National.
- Enrolled at least half time and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress, as determined by the school.
- Not in default on any federal education loan.
- Do not owe a refund on a Federal grant, unless satisfactory payment arrangements have been made.
- Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to applying.
- Must have applied for the maximum annual loan eligibility under the Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program before applying for the Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan.
Credit Requirements:
This is a credit-based loan only. Your income, debt, credit score, and assets
are not factors for approval. The following negative credit items are cause for
denial:
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Any unpaid judgment, tax lien, repossession, charge-off, or collection item
(regardless of amount).
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Any delinquent account in excess of 90 days past due.
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Any two delinquent accounts in excess of 60 days past due.
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Any loan default, foreclosure, or repossession.
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Accounts settled for less than the full balance are still considered
charge-offs.
Interest Rate:
Loans disbursed after July 1, 2006 have a fixed interest rate of 8.5%.
Repayment:
Graduate or Professional students will automatically be placed into deferment until enrollment drops below half-time status or at graduation. The standard repayment period is 10 years; however, those that have borrowed
more than $30,000 can request an extended period of 25 years.
Denial Options:
If you are denied approval, the following options are available:
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Obtain a co-signer and complete the Endorser
Addendum Application*
to submit to the guarantor. This will likely be the quickest method for
approval if there are time constraints and/or you cannot clear your credit
issues.
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If you are a parent borrowing for your dependent student, submit the denial letter to the school's Financial Aid Office to increase your
student's Unsubsidized Stafford Loan eligibility.
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Request reconsideration by submitting a written request to:
College Solutions Network
PLUS Reconsideration
33 Bassett Lane
Hyannis, MA 02601
Note: it generally takes 7-10 days before the copy of a credit report reaches
Ed-Invest's PLUS Loan Reconsiderations department at College Solutions Network. Any supporting documentation regarding a negative credit report item
should also be sent with the appeal. If there is a negative credit listing
of $500 or less, you can submit an explanation with the appeal. If the
listing is for $500 or more, a letter from the creditor must be submitted for
reconsideration.
Suggested Planning Hints:
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Obtain annual credit reports from the three credit bureaus. In many cases,
borrowers are not aware of a derogatory credit listing because the reporting
entity did not pursue collection efforts, primarily due to the size of the
collection item.
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Contest negative listings directly with a creditor to either have the listing
removed from the credit bureau(s) or obtain a letter from the creditor
acknowledging the debt has been resolved. A creditor's request to have a
placement removed from your credit report may take several weeks to process by
the credit bureau(s), so if time is a factor, obtain a letter from them to
submit with the appeal form.
Credit Bureaus:
Equifax
Web site: www.equifax.com
Toll-free phone number: (800) 685-1111
Address:
Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian
Web site: www.experian.com
Toll-free phone number: (800) 682-7654
Address:
Experian
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion
Web site: www.tuc.com
Toll-free phone number: (800) 796-6623
Address:
TransUnion LLC
Consumer Disclosure Center
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
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Before your loan is paid in full, College PayWay, a brand of the College Solutions Network, may transfer your loan to another holder. If so, we will ensure that the terms and associated borrower benefits you received on your loan will remain unchanged. However, if you consolidate your student loans after graduation with College PayWay or another lender, it is likely that the benefits will change and only the benefits offered under the terms of the consolidation loan will apply.
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