<p>Well … technically, a FAFSA isn’t required to borrow a PLUS loan (although many schools do require it before they’ll certify a PLUS loan application). BUT … if the parent is turned down for a PLUS loan, the student is then eligible to borrow a larger Stafford. That means the student MUST file a FAFSA. And when the student files the FAFSA, the father will come up as the parent of record. In that case, the financial aid administrator will require that the father be the one who is turned down for the PLUS in order for the student to borrow more Stafford. So, no … you can’t get it in that roundabout way.</p>