Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Borrowing loans to cover your educational costs can help you achieve your educational goals. You should always use federal loans first because they generally carry lower, fixed interest rates and often have more favorable terms than private loans. There is a limit on the maximum period of time (measured in academic years) that you can receive Direct Subsidized Loans. Learn more about time restrictions on these types of student loans.
Remember to only borrow what is needed! Loans must be repaid and any additional loans will increase your monthly payment.
Most loans to students are disbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Funds are applied directly to the student account to pay for any outstanding charges. Any excess loan funds are disbursed to the student (for Stafford loans) or the parent (for PLUS loans). You may request to use direct deposit for any refund balance. Additional information on direct deposit can be found on the myClarkState student portal.
Federal Direct Loans
The Federal Direct Loans are designed to assist a student in paying for educational expenses through a low interest loan program.
Loans
- Current interest rate on these loans is 2.75% for loans first disbursed on or after .
- You have between 10 and 25 years to repay the loan, depending on the amount owed and the type of repayment plan.
- You will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repayment.
- You must have financial need to receive a Subsidized Federal Stafford Direct Loan. The U.S. Department of Education will pay (subsidize) the interest that accrues on a subsidized loan during at least half time attendance and certain other periods.
- You do not need to have financial need to obtain an Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Direct Loan. Also, the interest is not paid for you, however you may request to have the interest capitalize.
Federal Direct Loans are limited to $5,500 . Independent students may qualify for more. Also, any student in an eligible associate degree or certificate program who has completed at least 30 credit hours may apply for a grade level 2 loan (an additional $1000). Loans will be awarded based on remaining financial need and all other eligibility requirements. It is important to only borrow what is needed for your educational costs. Remember, these loans must be repaid and any additional loans will increase your monthly payment.
Students requesting additional loan funds must complete, in its entirety, the Additional Loan Request form found on our Financial Aid Forms web page. All loans must be accepted on the student Financial Aid Self-Service portal.
A «dependent» student is eligible to request a maximum of $5,500 per year for the first year of undergraduate study (of which no more than $3,500 can be subsidized) and $6,500 for the second year (of which no more than $4,500 can be subsidized).
An «independent» student is eligible to request a maximum of $9,500 for the first year of undergraduate study (of which no more than $3,500 can be subsidized) and $10,500 for the second year (of which no more than $4,500 can be subsidized).
Loans
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Students must have Federal Student Aid ID.
- Complete Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling. Select Clark State Community College as a school to receive your entrance counseling results.
- An Exit Counseling session is also required prior to leaving Clark State either through graduation, withdrawal or transferring.
Parents of eligible students may apply for a Plus Loan if the other aid they are receiving is not sufficient to cover their educational expenses.