facebook pixel Skip to Main Content
Idaho State University home
Apply
Give

Parent Information

 

Parents: We’ve compiled some basic information that is particularly relevant to you as you navigate the Financial Aid process, though you are always welcome to browse our site to find additional or more specific information.

Is Parent Information Required on the FAFSA?

Whether or not parent information is required on the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) depends on whether your student is considered dependent oPLUS Loan Plain Language Disclosure Informationr independent for Financial Aid purposes, which may be different than for tax-filing purposes.

You and your student can utilize the dependency flowchart to determine if parent information is required on the student’s FAFSA. If you still have questions, more information can be found on the dependency section of the Student Aid website or through our office.

Parent Access to Student's Financial Aid Information

Release of Financial Aid Information- To release student information to another person (including parents), the student must authorize release by completing a release form.

A release form must be completed for each year information is requested.

Parent information to complete the FAFSA

Beginning with the 2024–2025 FAFSA, contributors listed on the application are required to provide consent and approval to retrieve and disclose their federal tax information. This step is essential for determining federal student aid eligibility.

Consent must be provided using your FSA ID. Please note: Your student will not be eligible for federal student aid until all required contributors have given this consent.

You can create an FSA ID before starting the FAFSA application. Even if you do not have a Social Security number, you are still eligible to create an FSA ID.

For more information and to get started, visit studentaid.gov.

 

Financial Aid Disbursement

Once a student is awarded financial aid, they must access MyISU to actively select disbursement options.

All federal aid eligibility criteria must be met for financial aid to be credited to a student account.

All financial aid awards, except Work-Study, are applied to your student’s university account. The earliest aid can be credited toward student fees is 10 days prior to your first day of class (5 days prior to summer classes).

Any residual funds will be disbursed either by direct deposit to a bank of your choice or by check mailed to your mailing address as reported on MyISU. These funds are disbursed by the Student Financial Services Office at 282-2900. For additional instructions, see Fee Payment information from Financial Services and the User's Guide to MyISU for fee payment information.

If the FAFSA, all required documents, and appeals have been received in the Financial Aid Office by late July, financial aid will be processed before the Fall semester fee payment deadline.

Questions about fee charges should be directed to Student Financial Services at (208) 282-2900 or stop in at the Cashier's Office in Administration Building #10- Third Floor.

Parent PLUS Loans

Parents of dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) may receive a Parent PLUS Loan for undergraduate students.

Eligibility is not based on financial need, but approval is dependent on the parent's credit history.

The loans are made regardless of income level and are offered through the Direct Loan program.

PLUS Loans through the Direct Loan program have a fixed interest rate set by the U.S. Government.

 Plain Language Loan Disclosure Information for PLUS Loans is available for you to review.

To apply:

2024-2025 Parent PLUS Loan Application

2025-2026 Parent PLUS Loan Application (available June 1st)

  1.  Parents must complete a Parent PLUS Loan Application and return it to the ISU Financial Aid Office.
    • Be sure to review the section on the application that releases PLUS funds.
  2. Send the completed application to the Office of Financial Aid address listed on top of the form.

After a federal credit check, you will be notified of the outcome by the federal processor.

 If the Federal Direct PLUS is approved, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be signed by the parent.

  1. In order to complete the electronic MPN, an FSA ID is required.
    • This FSA ID is the same one used to sign the online FAFSA. You can retrieve or create an FSA ID. It may take 3 business days before the FSA ID is activated.
  2. Using the FSA ID you created, go to the Master Promissory Note (MPN). You will chose "Complete New MPN for Parent PLUS Loans" at bottom of page. Once the note has been completed, our office will receive the information in a few days and continue processing the loan.

Proof of completion will be received by the ISU Financial Aid Office in mid-July.  

  • If you have completed Entrance Counseling and your Promissory Note but the requirement is marked incomplete on MyISU, this will change in mid-July when proof of completion is received by our office.

 

Option if Parent Denied PLUS

If the parent is denied, it is possible for the student to apply for additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan instead. The following Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits may be added to the students borrower's combined Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan limits

Learn more about Parent PLUS Loans

 

Additional Resources and Information

Student Financial Services