<p>As stated here: Student</a> Aid on the Web The normal first year dependent undergraduate maximum for stafford loans is $5,500. And in the FA statement this is how much the university I hope to attend offered me.</p>
<p>The issue is that I fall into the other category: "Independent Undergraduate Student (and dependent students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)". I'm sure that my parents won't quality for PLUS loans.</p>
<p>So how can I go about demonstrating that my parents will not qualify so that I can increase my stafford loan maximum?</p>
<p>You can only increase your Stafford loans by about $4,000.</p>
<p>Are you sure that you need to borrow more? What does your aid package look like?</p>
<p>For at least my first year, I will need to borrow close to the limit of that $4000 increase.</p>
<p>Doing some research, it seems as though I need to fill out a form specific to the university, fax it in, and then they will do the processing. They have already commuted my financial aid package, but I’m assuming that by applying for a PLUS loan and being rejected will have them update the offered loans?</p>
<p>The way you demonstrate that your parents can’t get PLUS loans is that they apply, and then are rejected. At least that is what I was told last year. Then, don’t be surprised if they do qualify. It’s not very stringent…and if they do qualify, the extra $4,000 for the student’s Stafford is not available. Hope this helps.</p>