Every month, HESC’s “Question and Answer” Web feature includes an interesting question presented to the Office of Counsel and Regulatory Compliance staff.

This month’s winning question:

Is a student’s legal guardian eligible to receive a PLUS loan on behalf of the student?

No. For the purposes of obtaining a PLUS loan, an eligible parent borrower is a dependent student’s biological or adoptive mother or father. The spouse of a parent who is remarried is also eligible if the spouse’s income and assets would have been taken into account when calculating a dependent student’s expected family contribution.

A legal guardian is not considered a parent for Federal Student Aid purposes.

Direct questions regarding this guidance to the Office of Counsel and Regulatory Compliance at 518-473-3986; or toll-free at 1-866-431-HESC (1-866-431-4372), press 6; or via email at askpolicy@hesc.org.