Federal PLUS Loans

Applying for the Loan

1) Applying for the PLUS Loan

Parents of Undergraduate Students
Initiate the PLUS loan process by completing our online PLUS loan request.

Graduate Students

  • If the loan is included in your award you can accept it in AXESS. Under the Student Center tab, in the Finances section, select "Accept/Decline Awards." You can accept the maximum amount, specify a lower amount, or decline the loan.
  • If you do not have the loan included in your award, submit a request to financialaid@stanford.edu.
  • If you have not applied for financial aid, complete the graduate student Applying for Aid requirements.

2) Complete Your Promissory Note

You will receive an email message from Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA), our loan processing agency, when your promissory note is ready. Graduate students can expect to receive the email message within three business days of accepting the loan in AXESS. Parent borrowers should allow two to four weeks after completing the online loan request to receive the email message.

When you click on the link in the email message, you will be directed to choose a lender and complete your promissory note online. We recommend using the electronic signature option for fastest processing.

You should contact NELA at (800) 979-4441 or loaninfo@nela.net if you:

  • Have questions about completing and electronically signing the online promissory note;
  • Would prefer to receive and sign a paper promissory note;
  • Wish to borrow from a lender that is not on our list of preferred lenders.

If you have trouble using the link in the email message from NELA, you can go directly to the OpenNet Web site to see if your promissory note is available.

3) Receiving Your Loan Funds

Loans are generally divided evenly over the three quarters of the academic year. If your promissory note is complete and you have enrolled for courses, your loan funds will be applied to the University bill a few days prior to the beginning of each quarter. If the quarter has already begun, students can monitor the loan disbursements in AXESS.