William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is establishing the date for early implementation of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program regulations that update the standard for determining if a potential parent or student borrower has an adverse credit history for purposes of eligibility for a Direct PLUS Loan (PLUS loan). These regulations also require parents and students who have an adverse credit history, but who are approved for a PLUS loan on the basis that extenuating circumstances exist or by obtaining an endorser for the PLUS loan, to receive loan counseling before receiving the PLUS loan.