Apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan
We recommend using your Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility before applying for a Graduate PLUS Loan, as the Unsubsidized Loan has a lower interest rate and lower origination fee.
What You Need to Know Before Applying
- Fordham’s academic year begins in the fall and ends in the summer.
- If you already have a Graduate PLUS Loan for this academic year and wish to increase it, submit a request using the Graduate PLUS Loan Request Form.
- The application process includes a credit check to ensure you do not have an adverse credit history.
- To be eligible, you must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree or certificate program
What You Need to Know When Applying
Selecting your Loan Period
- 09/2025 – 12/2025: One disbursement at the beginning of the fall term.
- 09/2025 – 05/2026: Even disbursements across the fall and spring terms.
- 09/2025 – 08/2026: Even disbursements across the fall, spring, and summer terms.
- 01/2026 – 05/2026: One disbursement at the beginning of the spring term.
Requesting Your Loan Amount
- Use the Cost of Attendance to determine how much to borrow.
- A 4.228% origination fee is deducted from each loan disbursement. To calculate the total loan amount you should request, divide the amount you need by 0.95772.
- We recommend requesting a specific loan amount, but you can also select “unknown” or “maximum” as your loan amount.
- If choosing “unknown” or “maximum,” you must provide Fordham with a specific loan amount using the Graduate PLUS Loan Request Form.
Use the PLUS Loan Calculator below to determine how much to request.
Loan Calculator
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- Get an Endorser. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Graduate PLUS Loan if you do not repay it.
- Appeal your credit decision by documenting extenuating circumstances
** If you are subsequently approved after using one of these options you must complete PLUS Credit Counseling before your loan will disburse.