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Parent Financing Options

Many parents need assistance in figuring out which financing option works best for their family. Below are several situations and some possible financing options. Hopefully one will fit your situation.

1. You are able to pay your student's bill by semester.
Pay your bill from the statement you receive in the mail or click here to visit Student Accounts which allows you to make an online payment.

2. You would like to make monthly payments on your student's bill.
Click here to visit Student Accounts to download an enrollment form or sign up for the monthly payment plan online.

3. You would like to use a loan in your name to pay your student's bill.
PLUS Loans are Loans to parents of dependent students. Loan limits are up to the cost of education less any financial aid received per academic year. The interest rate is 8.5%. Repayment begins within 60 days of full disbursement.

To apply, a parent completes a PLUS master promissory note (PMPN), which is valid for 10 years. A parent should request the amount they wish to borrow for the full academic year. If you need help with determining the amount you need to borrow, please contact the Student Accounts Office at 740-826-8118. Muskingum will certify the loan for either the amount the parent requests, or the maximum they are eligible to borrow (if they request more). The lender will check for adverse credit on the parent borrower. Once the loan is approved loan proceeds are disbursed by semester.

You will first need to select a lender for your PLUS Loan. When you are ready to begin the process you will be taken to FASTChoice which will allow you to compare several lenders before making your choice. Depending on which lender you choose your loan may be processed through Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation or through Sallie Mae/USAFunds (depending on which offers the best borrower benefits).

Click here to Start your PLUS Loan

If you had a PLUS Loan for your student last year, you do not need to complete another PLUS MPN. You only need to complete a credit check and request an amount to borrow. To renew your PLUS Loan you will need to click on the appropriate link below (whichever one you used last year) and then log in to your account.

Click here to Renew your PLUS Loan at Great Lakes
Click here to Renew your PLUS Loan at Sallie Mae

4. You are not willing/able to take a loan in your name, but could cosign for your student.
Alternative or Private Loans can be used to cover any educational expenses not covered by financial aid. The loan is in the student's name, but in most cases a credit-worthy cosigner is required. There are several payment options, though in most cases either interest or both principle and interest can be deferred. The credit check that is done on the borrower or co-signer is a credit scoring process. Students may borrow up to the cost of education minus financial aid. The loan should be for the amount needed for the academic year, though it will be disbursed by semester.

There are hundreds of alternative loans available to students. We have selected the ones that we are most familiar with. If you go to FASTChoice you will be able to compare alternative loans and select the one that best meets your needs.

Click here to Start your Private Loan

5. You are able to pay for part of your student's bill out-of-pocket, but would need to put the rest on a loan.
This option allows you to combine the options listed above to best meet your needs. You could make a payment on your student's account or sign up on the monthly payment plan for an amount you can afford. You would then apply for either the PLUS or Private Loan to cover the remainder of your student's bill.

6. Your credit is not good enough to take a loan in your name or to cosign for your student.
You may be able to help your student become eligible for more Stafford Loan. Go ahead and start the PLUS Loan. After selecting a lender you will be taken through a credit check. If you do not pass the credit check then your student will be eligible for more unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Freshmen and sophomores can borrow up to $4,000 and juniors and seniors can borrow up to $5,000 on top of the amount they were awarded based on their grade level.
This additional loan may be enough to cover your bill. If not, hopefully it will get you close enough to be able to pay the rest out-of-pocket or in monthly payments on the payment plan. If not, you may need to find someone else that is willing and able to cosign for the private loan for your student.
*If during the credit check you are approved for the PLUS Loan you are not obligated to take the loan.

Click here to Start your PLUS Loan