Financial Aid

Office of Financial Aid
800-859-4413
315-859-4962 (fax)

Types of Financial Aid

Loans for Parents

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS):

  • Parent loan available to cover the difference between the cost of attendance and financial aid
  • Borrower must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Borrower must pre-qualify (pass a credit check).  Once approved, the credit check is good for only 90 days.  Due to this time schedule, please apply for the loan after May 1st.
  • 7.9% fixed interest rate
  • 4.204% origination fee deducted from each loan disbursement
  • Parents must initiate the borrowing process by:
  1. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  2. Completing the Direct PLUS Loan Application
    Sign in to "Manage My Direct Loan" using your FAFSA PIN, then click on "Request a Direct PLUS Loan" link
  3. Completing the Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note
    Sign in to "Manage My Direct Loan" using your FAFSA PIN, then click on "Complete Master Promissory Note" link
  4. Completing the Hamilton College Direct PLUS Loan Request Form
    Return form to the Financial Aid Office
  • If parent's credit is denied, the parent can re-apply with an endorser. As an alternative, the student is eligible to borrow an additional unsubsidized loan in the amount of $4,000 for 1st and 2nd year students, $5,000 for 3rd and 4th year students. The parent must denote this on his/her application (Section III). In addition, the student must complete the appropriate section of the Hamilton College Student Direct Loan Request Form (Section II).
  • Loan proceeds will be credited directly to the student account within 10 days prior to the start of classes for both semesters
  • Interest begins to accrue on the loan from the date of the first disbursement
  • Repayment begins within 60 days after the second disbursement of the loan
  • Parent can request deferment to postpone repayment for up to 6 months after student graduates by selecting this option when completing the PLUS Loan application online. For an existing PLUS Loan, parent must contact their loan servicer to request deferment. To identify your loan servicer, please go to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).  Telephone support is available at (800) 848-0979.
  • Additional information is available via the Direct Loan Website and the Direct Loan Basics for Parents brochure.

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