(for Creative Center enter 8/06/2012) (for Creative Center enter 05/17/2013) Step 3 - Review Application Step 4 - Credit Check and Submit

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1 1 Instructions for Completing the Parent Plus Loan Process Important: Each applicant, including endorsers for a PLUS loan, must have their own unique PIN, and sign in using their own information. If you do not have a PIN, you can apply for one at Important: Before you begin the PLUS Loan Request, you will be required to indicate if you are currently in a default/overpay status. If you indicate that you are in a default/overpay status, you will not be able to proceed with the Parent PLUS Loan Request. Sign in Process To complete your electronic Direct Parent PLUS loan application, click the green 'Sign In' button from the home page at which is located at the top left under 'Manage My Direct Loan.' If you do not see a green sign-in button, you may not be using a supported browser. To make sure your computer is compatible with the site, go to 'Learn More' at the top of the page, and click on 'What You Need for Direct Loans.' If you are using a browser that is not supported, your view and interaction with this site may be significantly impaired. Sign in using your social security number (SSN), first two characters of your last name, date of birth (DOB), and PIN that was issued to you from Note: When you sign in to the website, do not enter dashes with your social security number or it will generate a "Contact PIN Customer Service" error. Once you are signed in, you will see 'Personal Information' located on the right side of the page. If you have "I would like to receive my correspondence electronically" selected, make sure your address is entered twice. If you do not have an address, uncheck the box requesting for electronic correspondence, and click 'Update.' Parent Plus Application Part I Please be aware that once the Parent PLUS Application has been submitted, and you realize there is a mistake, you cannot sign back on to make corrections, delete it, or cancel it. However, if you have not submitted your application, you may save it at any point, and continue working on it at a later time. If you have completed the application in error, you will need to contact the school's Financial Aid Office to inform them you do not want to proceed with receiving the PLUS loan. To begin, select 'Request a PLUS Loan.' On the next screen, select the loan type by clicking on ''Parent PLUS'. Please note if at any time while completing the Parent PLUS Application you receive a red circle with the letter 'X' in the center, this indicates an error. Placing your cursor over the red circle will display the specific details of the error message.

2 2 Step 1 - Personal Information When completing step 1, please note that when you are required to enter numbers (driver's license, social security number, etc.), do not use any symbols (for &, etc.), or extra spaces, as the website will view them as invalid characters. Choose citizenship status. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident/eligible non-u.s. citizen, you will not be eligible for a Parent PLUS loan. For more information regarding the citizenship requirements, click on "Why do we ask?" Enter your driver's license. If you do not have a driver's license, you can leave this blank. Enter your permanent address, evening telephone number and address. Enter your employer's name and address. If you do not have an employer, please check the box that states, "I do not have an employer". Click 'Save and Exit' or 'Continue' to the next step. Note: Please ensure that you are entering correct student information on this step, or you may receive the following error message:?the information you provided on the student(s) below differs from our records. Verify that the data you have entered is correct. If you select continue without making changes, the data currently on our system will be overwritten. Step 2 - Student and Loan Info Pull down the 'Award Year' tab and select If you have already registered students, please select from the list. Otherwise, enter the student's information. Please verify you are entering the SSN and DOB in the correct formats. The SSN should consist of 9 digits (excluding any dashes or spaces) and the Date of Birth should be placed in the format of mmddyyyy (the system will automatically enter dashes in between the month, day, and year of the DOB). If you have more than one student you are applying for select "Add Another Student" from the bottom of the page. Complete the above steps adding the information for the additional student. Next, you will be asked, "Do you want to defer repayment of your Direct PLUS Loan while the student on whose behalf you obtained the loan is enrolled at an eligible school on at least a halftime basis?," Choose 'Yes' or 'No'. The next question you will need to answer is, "If there is a credit balance after your Direct PLUS Loan has been applied to the student's school account, to whom do you want the school to pay the credit balance?" Please choose one option between 'Me' or 'The Student.' Enter the school and loan information. Make sure the 'School State' field matches the correct state that the school is located in, and then select the school name. (Creative Center will either be listed under C or T for The Creative Center). If a red circle with an 'X' appears (Error message: This school is not participating in the Direct PLUS loan request process) after you select the school name, this means that the school does not participate in the electronic Parent PLUS application process. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to determine how they would like you to apply.

3 3 Indicate the loan amount you would like to borrow. You may choose if you want to borrow the maximum Direct Parent PLUS Loan amount for which you are eligible (as determined by the school); You may specify a loan amount; or You may choose I don t know, will contact the school to determine a loan amount. Specify the loan period for which you are requesting a Direct PLUS loan. Click on the dropdown box under 'Requested Loan Period Start Date' 'to enter the month and year (for Creative Center enter 8/06/2012). Then click on the dropdown box under 'Requested Loan Period End Date' to enter the month and year (for Creative Center enter 05/17/2013). If you would like to enter another school, you may do so by clicking on 'Add Another School.' Click 'Save and Exit' or 'Continue' to move on to the next step. Step 3 - Review Application Review all information provided and verify that it is correct prior to submitting the loan application. If any of the information is incorrect, you may modify it by clicking on the 'Edit' button next to each section. Click 'Save and Exit' or 'Continue' to move on to the next step. Step 4 - Credit Check and Submit Check the box that states, "For each loan that I request under this application, I authorize the Department of Education to investigate my credit record and report information about my loans to persons and organizations permitted by law to receive that information." Then select 'Continue.' Your PLUS application cannot be submitted without a credit check. Your credit check results will be sent as part of the application to the school(s) you have selected. After you click on 'Continue,' an image will appear on the screen indicating that the request is being processed. Once the request is complete, the next screen will show you the results of your credit decision. If approved, please complete the Parent Plus Master Promissory Note (instructions below). If denied credit you will be given the following options: Not to pursue a PLUS loan at this time Obtain an endorser (If obtain endorser is selected, you may download the endorser addendum from the studentloans.gov website, or an application ID number will be ed to you for the endorser to use in the electronic endorser process). See instructions below Appeal the credit decision Undecided Regardless of the decision you choose after applying for the Parent PLUS loan, we will send electronic confirmation to your school within 24 hours, advising them of the results.

4 4 Parent Plus Master Promissory Note (MPN) Part II Please read this carefully before you begin the electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) process. This is a step-by-step process to sign the MPN for the Parent PLUS loan. Please be aware that once the electronic MPN has been submitted, and you realize there is a mistake, you cannot sign back on to make corrections to it. At any time, if your session has expired and it has been under 30 minutes, click on Tools on your browser, Internet Options, Delete Cookies, Delete Files (including offline content). Then exit out of the browser and restart the process. If you have not logged out of the website, select 'Complete Master Promissory Note from menu on the left of your screen and click on Parent PLUS. If you are logged out of website, click the green 'Sign In' button from the home page at which is located at the top left under 'Manage My Direct Loan.' Sign in using your social security number, first two characters of your last name, date of birth, and PIN that was issued to you from When signing in to the website, do not enter dashes with your social security number or it will generate a "Contact PIN Customer Service" error. To Begin, select 'Complete Master Promissory Note and click on Parent PLUS. Please note, if at any time while signing the MPN you receive a red circle with the letter 'X' in the center, this indicates an error. Placing your cursor over the red circle will display the specific details of the error message. Step 1 - Personal Information & Student Information Enter your personal information. If you do not have a driver s license, you can leave this blank. If you do not have an employer, check the box that states, "I do not have an employer." Please note that when you are required to enter numbers on this step (driver's license, social security number, etc.), do not use any symbols (for &, etc.), or extra spaces, as the website views them as invalid characters. Next, enter the student s information. Please note this information must be entered or you cannot continue. At the bottom of the screen, enter the school and loan information. Make sure the 'School State field matches the correct state that the school is located in. Click Continue. After you select your school, please review the information to ensure it is correct Note: Please ensure that you are entering correct student information on this step, or you may receive the following error messgae: 'The information you provided on the student(s) below differs from our records. Verify that the data you have entered is correct. If you select continue without making changes, the data currently on our system will be overwritten.'

5 5 Step 2 - Personal References Provide information for two personal references. If you have previously created a reference on an electronic master promissory note, it will appear in the dropdown list. It is recommended that the first reference be a parent or guardian that lives in the United States. The second reference should be someone you have known at least 3 years and also lives in the United States. If you are unable to provide a parent or guardian for the first reference, please list someone you have known for at least 3 years. If you select Other for the relationship field, you must enter your affiliation with this reference in the box provided, or you will not be able to continue and will receive an error. Additionally, make sure you do not use any characters or symbols when entering information on this step (for &, etc.), or any extra spaces, as the website views them as invalid characters. Click 'Continue'. Step 3 - Terms and Conditions Sections D,E,F, and H must be read before you will be able to continue. Section G contains instructions for completing a paper MPN and therefore is not displayed here. Sections D, E, F, and H will display a green checkmark to the right once completed. Click the plus sign (+) on the left to expand the tab and read the contents. Once you have read the section, clicking on the next plus sign (+) of the following letter will minimize the previous box. During this step, please review each section carefully. Once you have read each section carefully, you will check the box on the bottom of the page with the following text: "I have reviewed the information about me on the Master Promissory Note and acknowledge that it is true and correct. I have read, understand, and agree to the Borrower Request, Certifications, Authorizations, and Understandings, the Promise to Pay, and the MPN Terms and Conditions." Click 'Continue'. Step 4 - Review and Sign Review your submitted information. Click Sign. Next, a window will appear which contains the HTML version of the MPN. Your signature will NOT be authenticated until you scroll down and review the MPN in its entirety. If you attempt to click on the Submit button prior to reviewing the MPN in its entirety, an error message will appear. After you review your MPN, click on Submit. Once you successfully submit your MPN, you will receive the following message: 'You have successfully submitted your MPN. You will receive a confirmation shortly. The school you selected will be notified of your MPN completion within the next 24 hours. If you have questions regarding your loan(s) and/or its status, contact the school's financial aid office.' Click on the provided link to review a PDF version of your MPN, or to save and/or print a copy for your records. If you would like to request that a paper copy of your completed MPN be mailed to you, click on Completed MPNs located under My Loan Documents on the left hand side of the screen. The next screen will display your completed MPNs. Check the box next to the MPN that you would like a copy of, and click Request Printed MPN.

6 6 Endorser Addendum Instructions To complete your electronic endorser application, click the green 'Sign In' button from the home page at which is located at the top left under 'Manage My Direct Loan.' If you do not see a green 'Sign In' button, you may not be using a supported browser. To make sure your computer is compatible with the site; please go to Learn More at the top of the page, and click on What You Need for Direct Loans. If you are using a browser that is not supported, your view and interaction with this site may be significantly impaired. Sign in using your social security number, first two characters of your last name, date of birth, and PIN that was issued to you from When signing in to the website, do not enter dashes with your social security number or it will generate a "Contact PIN Customer Service" error. Once you are signed in, you will see 'Personal Information' located on the right side of the page. If you have "I would like to receive my correspondence electronically" selected, please make sure your address is entered twice. If you do not have an address, uncheck the box requesting for electronic correspondence, and click update. To begin, select Endorse a PLUS Loan, the borrower will provide you with a loan reference number or an award identification number that you need to enter (Note: If you are endorsing more than one loan, each loan will have a separate identifier). Click 'Submit'. Please note, if at any time while completing the electronic endorser application you receive a red circle with the letter 'X' in the center, this indicates an error. Placing your cursor over the red circle will display the specific details of the error message. Step 1 - Loan Information The loan information section should generate with the borrower and student s names and the loan amount the borrower requested. You will have the option to select the name of the school the student is attending. Once you choose the school name, the address will appear underneath it. Please enter an amount equal to or less than the amount shown in Loan Amount Requested for the Endorser Amount. If you enter a lesser amount, a warning message will display letting you know you are about to endorse an amount less than what was originally requested. Click OK to continue. (Note: If no loan amount is displaying under Loan Amount Requested, contact the student s Financial Aid Office for the information). Step 2 - Personal Information Choose citizenship status. If you are not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident/eligible non-u.s. citizen, you will not be eligible to endorse a Parent/Graduate PLUS Loan. For more information regarding the citizenship requirements, click on "Why do we ask?". If you do not have a driver s license, you can leave this blank. Enter your permanent address, evening telephone number and address. Please note that when you are required to enter numbers on this step (driver's license, social security number, etc.), do not use any symbols (for &, etc.), or extra spaces, as the website will view them as invalid characters.

7 7 Enter your employer s name and address. If you do not have an employer, please check the box that states, "I do not have an employer". All fields with a red asterisk placed next to it indicate a required field that you may not leave blank. Step 3 - References Provide information for two personal references. If you have previously created a reference on the website, it will appear in the dropdown list. It is recommended that the references be someone you have known for at least 3 years and also live in the United States. Please note that if you select Other for the relationship field, you must enter your affiliation with this reference before you can continue. Additionally, make sure you do not use any characters or symbols when entering information on this step (for &, etc.), or any extra spaces, as the website views them as invalid characters. Click 'Continue'. Step 2 - Credit Check Check the box that states, "I authorize the U.S. Department of Education to investigate my credit record and report information about my loan status to persons and organizations permitted by law to receive that information. I understand that this is a Federal Loan that I must repay if the borrower does not repay the loan." Your endorser addendum cannot be submitted without a credit check. Click Submit. You will receive a message advising you of the credit decision. If you are denied, you will receive a message stating, "Based on the results of your credit check you are not eligible to endorse this Direct PLUS Loan. We will inform the borrower of this decision." If you are approved, you will receive a message stating, "Based on the results of your credit check you have been approved to endorse this PLUS loan." Click Continue to move onto the next step. (Note: If you were denied you will not follow any further steps). Step 3 - Terms & Conditions Sections D-G must be read before continuing. Click the plus sign to expand the tab and read the contents. Once you have read the section, clicking on the minus sign will minimize it. Sections D, E, and G will display a green checkmark to the right once completed. Section F contains instructions for completing a paper endorser addendum and therefore is not displayed here. During this step, please review each section carefully. Once you have read each section carefully, you will check the box on the bottom of the page with the following text: "I have reviewed the information about me on the Master Promissory Note and acknowledge that it is true and correct. I have read, understand, and agree to the Borrower Request, Certifications, Authorizations and Understandings, the Promise to Pay, the MPN Terms and Conditions, and the Borrower's Rights and Responsibilities Statement (Your response will be recorded and made part of your completed MPN)." Click Continue. Step 4 - Review and Sign Review your submitted information. If any of the information is incorrect, you can modify it by clicking on the edit button in each section. Please read Note to Endorser, "By signing this Endorser Addendum, you (1) agree to repay the loan under the terms and conditions of the Federal Direct PLUS (Direct PLUS) Loan Application and Master Promissory Note (MPN) signed by the borrower if the

8 8 borrower does not repay the loan, and (2) agree that your rights under the MPN are governed by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C et seq.) and other applicable federal laws and regulations. The terms and conditions of the MPN are presented in the Section E of this Addendum and in the accompanying document called "Borrower s Rights and Responsibilities Statement". After reading the note, type your name as it appears under your personal profile when you first logged in. Click Sign. Next, a window will appear which contains the HTML version of the Endorser Addendum. Your signature will NOT be authenticated until you scroll down and review the Endorser Addendum in its entirety. If you attempt to click on the 'Submit' button prior to reviewing the Endorser Addendum in its entirety, an error message will appear. After you review the Endorser Addendum, click on 'Submit'. Once you successfully submit your MPN, you will receive the following message: Note: Please be sure to close out of the HTML Version of the endorser addendum prior to clicking the 'Continue' button. Your Endorser Addendum has not been successfully submitted until you receive the 'Thank you for submitting an Endorser Addendum. You may view/download the PDF version of your addendum' message. Success! The next screen will allow you to view/download the PDF version of your completed MPN. You may print a copy of your MPN or save it to your desktop. If you would like to request that a paper copy of your completed MPN be mailed to you, click on Completed MPNs under loan documents on the left hand side of the screen. The next screen will display your completed MPNs. Check the box next to the MPN that you would like a copy of, and click Request Printed MPN.