Brazos Parent Loans Are a Lower Cost Alternative
A Brazos private parent loan is an affordable alternative to a Direct Parent PLUS loan, and is often a better option for parents!
- Brazos rates are better. Brazos offers parent loans at a fixed rate as low as 2.50% APR5 compared to a 8.83% fixed rate (both with a .25% auto-pay discount) offered by the Federal Direct PLUS Parent loan.
- Even at our highest fixed rate, the Brazos parent loan is a lower-cost alternative to the Direct Parent PLUS loan. In all cases, qualifying parents will pay a lower fixed interest rate with a Brazos parent loan than they can get with a Direct Parent PLUS loan.
- Click HERE to compare the cost of Parent PLUS Loan versus Brazos Parent Loan.
- Fees are an important consideration. The Direct Parent PLUS loan has an origination fee of 4.228%, which takes a bit out of the loan proceeds upfront.
- For a $10,000 loan, parents pay an origination fee of $422.80, which means the total amount available for tuition and other education expenses is only $9,577.20. By comparison, Brazos parent loans have zero origination fees, so parents have 100% of the amount borrowed available to pay for education.
- Plus, Brazos offers multiple loan terms so parents or others can fit loan repayment easily into their budget, putting parents’ minds at ease and allowing students the opportunity to focus on learning and preparing for their future.
Brazos Parent Loans vs. Direct Parent PLUS Loans
| Brazos Parent Loans | Direct Parent PLUS Loans | |
| Interest rates | Fixed rates from % APR to 8.22% APR.5 Variable rates from 4.32% APR to 8.22% APR.5 | For the 2024-2025 school year, the Parent PLUS loan rate is fixed at 9.08% (or 8.83% with auto-pay discount) regardless of the borrower’s credit history. |
| Origination Fees | Zero origination fees | Origination fee of 4.228% of the amount borrowed, which is dedicated from the proceeds of the loan. |
| Borrower | Any parent, grandparent, spouse, family member, or friend of the student | Limited to the biological or adoptive parent of the student (in some cases, step-parents). |
| Eligible Degrees | Available for undergraduate, graduate, medical, law and other professional degree students. | Limited to students pursuing undergraduate degrees only. |
| Auto-pay discount | Yes. .25% auto-pay discount available.3 | Yes. .25% auto-pay discount available. |
| Lender | Brazos Education Lending Corporation, a nonprofit | United States Department of Education |
| How much may I borrow each school period? | You may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance, less other financial aid, as certified by the school. | You may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance, less other financial aid, as certified by the school. |
| What repayment terms are available? | Multiple terms are available. | 10 years is standard but can be extended up to 25 years if you have more than $30,000 in outstanding loans. |
| What repayment plans are available? | Immediate Repayment | Standard Repayment Plan Graduated Repayment Plan Extended Repayment Plan In-school deferment is available as long as the student is enrolled at least ½ time. For more information about Parent PLUS Loan application and repayment plans, visit studentaid.gov |
| Are there any prepayment penalties? | No. | No. |
| Qualifying Credit Criteria | Must have a FICO score of at least 680 (or apply with a qualifying cosigner), have a strong credit history and meet other credit requirements. | No adverse credit history. |
| Is in-school deferment available? | No. Repayment begins immediately after the loan is fully disbursed. | Yes. Upon request, but interest will still accrue during the in-school period and for 6 months post-graduation. Unpaid interest is added to the principal balance once full repayment begins. |
| Is there a cumulative borrowing limit? | No. You may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance, less other financial aid, as certified by the school. | No. You may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance, less other financial aid, as certified by the school. |
| Can a parent loan be transferred to a child? | No | No |
| Is a school certification required? | Yes. | Yes. |
| What interest rate types are available? | Fixed and variable-rate loans are available. | Fixed-rate loans only. |
| Is my interest deductible for tax purposes? | Yes, your interest paid may be deductible, subject to certain limitations. Please consult your financial advisor for deductibility in your particular situation. | Yes, your interest paid may be deductible, subject to certain limitations. Please consult your financial advisor for deductibility in your particular situation. |
| Is a portion of my interest subsidized? | No | No. Unlike Undergraduate Direct Loans, Parent Plus loan interest is not subsidized. |
| When does interest capitalize? | Once upon entering repayment and subsequently upon entering repayment after any period of deferment or forbearance. | Once upon entering repayment and subsequently upon entering repayment after any period of deferment or forbearance. |
| Can I pay interest on the loan before the loan is fully disbursed? | Yes, you may pay interest on the loan prior to full disbursement | Yes, you may pay interest on the loan prior to full disbursement |
| Is forbearance available? | Yes, up to one year of hardship forbearance is available in three-month increments. Additional special forbearance options, such as military and natural disaster are available. Interest will continue to accrue and will be added to the balance of the loan once the loan re-enters repayment. | Yes, forbearance is unlimited, but your servicer may set a limit on the maximum period of time. Interest will continue to accrue and will be added to the balance of the loan once the loan re-enters repayment. There are other special forbearance options and repayment plans that may be available to you. See studentaid.gov |
| Is loan forgiveness available? | Yes, upon the death of the benefitting student for whom the loan was taken out, the loan will be forgiven as to all parties. Upon the death of the borrower or cosigner, the loan will be forgiven only as to the deceased party. | Yes, upon the death of the borrower or the student for whom the loan was taken and upon the permanent disability of the borrower. There are other special loan forgiveness programs that may be available to you. Please see studentaid.ed.gov for a complete list. |
Please be sure to check out https://studentaid.gov/ for current information on all federal student loan programs.
Need Money for Your Child’s Education?
Apply for a Brazos Parent Loan and finance your child’s education with the lowest possible interest rate. Brazos Higher Education offers competitive fixed and variable rates with no application fees, origination fees or prepayment penalties.
