Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are offered to graduate/professional students to help pay for educational expenses not covered by other financial aid. A credit check will be performed during the application process, and is based on the applicant being credit-worthy. The maximum Graduate PLUS Loan amount you can borrow is the Cost of Attendance minus all other financial aid received. The Cost of Attendance may be found on your award letter on CougarNet.