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Applying for Federal Direct PLUS or Grad PLUS Loans

What if I need additional money beyond tuition and fees?

You should contact Financial Aid to discuss your needs.  Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS loans may be the solution.

What is a Parent PLUS loan?

The Federal Direct PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) is a loan for the parents of dependent undergraduate students. The loan is not based on financial need and can be awarded up to the cost of attendance minus other aid the student is receiving. Parents determine the amount they wish to borrow. This loan is subject to credit approval policies set by the Department of Education as the lender.

How do my parents apply for a PLUS loan?

Your parent needs to complete the PLUS Loan Acceptance Form that was included with your Award Notification Letter. Your parent also needs to apply through the Department of Education: https://studentloans.gov.

What if my parents are denied a Parent PLUS loan?

If your parents are denied a Parent PLUS loan and you have a credit worthy endorser, your endorser can apply.

What is a Grad PLUS loan?

Graduate and professional students can apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Students who have exhausted their Federal Stafford Loans or who seek additional funding may apply for this loan. This loan may be better than alternative/private loans which have variable interest rates. Eligible credit-worthy students can borrow up to the full cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid they are receiving.

How do I apply for the Grad PLUS loan?

You have to apply through the Department of Education website: https://studentloans.gov.

What if I am denied a Grad PLUS loan?

If you are denied a Grad PLUS loan and you have a credit worthy endorser, your endorser can apply.

When is the last day that I can submit my loan acceptance documents to NLU?

The loan MUST be originated by the school before your last day of class for the term. Loans cannot be originated after the last day of the term due to federal regulations. You should submit the Loan Acceptance Form to our office at least a week before your term ends to ensure that it will be processed in time.

What happens if I did not submit my documents on time?

If you are not able to obtain a private loan for past due balances, you must work out a payment arrangement with the Student Finance Office. You will not be permitted to register with a past-due balance.

 

Locations

  • CHICAGO DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

    NLU’s Chicago campus on South Michigan Avenue occupies five floors of the historic Peoples Gas Building. This landmark building, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park, is easily accessible by train, bus and car and is surrounded by restaurants, parking lots/garages and shops.

    122 S. Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60603
    (888) 658.8632
    Info » | Directions »

  • ELGIN

    Conveniently located in a fast-growing business district off I-90 and Route 31, NLU Elgin features 10 classrooms with high-tech media equipment; a computer lab with high-speed Internet access; two conference rooms; and comfortable student lounges. Parking is free at this recently remodeled and upgraded teaching site, which now includes wireless Internet access.

    620 Tollgate Road
    Elgin, IL 60123
    (888) 658.8632
    Info » | Directions »

  • NORTH SHORE

    Opened in the summer of 2006, NLU North Shore at Skokie is a state-of-the-art modern campus located just off the Edens Expressway near the Old Orchard Shopping Center. The campus includes 44 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a walk-in lab in the library; six conference rooms; a public café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; and multiple, comfortable student lounge areas.

    5202 Old Orchard Road
    Skokie, IL 60077
    (888) 658.8632
    Info » | Directions »

  • LISLE

    Located just minutes from the East-West Tollway (I-88), NLU Lisle features 42 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a separate walk-in lab in the library; a café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; conference rooms; and six comfortable student lounge areas with wireless access.

    850 Warrenville Road
    Lisle, IL 60532
    (888) 658.8632
    Info » | Directions »

  • WHEELING

    Located in one of Chicago's major northwest suburbs, the newly renovated NLU Wheeling includes 20 classrooms with high-tech media equipment, four conference rooms, four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, large student lounge areas with wireless capabilities and interactive video capabilities, and an extensive research library. The site also houses the university library research collection.

    1000 Capitol Drive
    Wheeling, IL 60090
    (888) 658.8632
    Info » | Directions »

  • FLORIDA (TAMPA)

    Established in 1988 and located in one of Tampa's major business districts, NLU's Florida Regional Center serves students in 13 counties in central Florida. In addition to its classrooms, the National Louis University Tampa Regional Center features a computer lab, student lounges, and conference room.

    5110 Sunforest Drive, Suite 102
    Tampa, FL 33634
    (800) 366.6581
    Info » | Directions »