Expected family contribution? Parent Direct Plus Loan?

[Ji Won]

My EFC is so high it's almost $10,000. I know that it means my parents (since i am dependent student) have to pay for ten grand but when does it has to be ALL paid???
I don't know why it's so high because only my stepdad works and earns not much money. I am afraid to even ask him for it.
Anyway, does my EFC has to be paid as whole before my attending or later after my graduation like other loans??
Can my parent pay seperately like, for example 100 dollars per month???

One more question!
What's Parent Direct Plus Loan? (something like that)
A college in a state where I am not a resident of gave me an award packet and almost 30,000 dollars were for Parent Direct plus loan. What does that mean??
I am so confused..it's all new to me. PLEASE HELP!!!!