Do people get denied a parent PLUS loan?

Asked by: Humberto Hartmann  |  Last update: September 19, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (26 votes)

If you're a parent or graduate student seeking a Direct PLUS Loan, one of the requirements to qualify is that you must not have an adverse credit history. If your application is denied because of an adverse credit history, don't give up. You still have options.

Do parent PLUS loans get denied?

If you've been denied a Parent PLUS loan because of an adverse credit history, you can qualify for the loan if you obtain an endorser. An endorser is like a cosigner. The endorser agrees to repay the PLUS loan if the parent defaults or is otherwise unable to repay the debt.

Is it hard to get approved for the parent PLUS loan?

Unless you have current collections it's pretty easy to get approved for a parent loan, your credit score is fine. If you're declined you can appeal and prove you've paid off anything.

What credit score do you need to get a parent PLUS loan?

No minimum credit score is needed to get a parent PLUS loan. Federal loans aren't like private parent student loans, which use your credit score to determine whether you qualify and what interest rate you'll receive. But parent PLUS loans do have a credit check, and you won't qualify if you have adverse credit history.

What disqualifies you from a grad PLUS loan?

More than $2,085 in total debt in collections or charged off in the past two years (before the date of the credit report); or. Default, bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or write-off of federal student loan debt in the past five years (before the date of the credit report)

Parent PLUS Loan Forgiveness: The Only 4 Programs That Work

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Is it easy to get approved for a Grad PLUS loan?

You don't need to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for a grad PLUS loan, but lenders will check to make sure you don't have an adverse credit history. If you have things like bankruptcy, late payments, or defaulted loans on your credit report, you may not qualify for a grad PLUS loan.

Are parent plus loans forgiven after 10 years?

Parent PLUS loans can potentially be forgiven after 10 years under specific conditions, such as through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program after consolidation into a direct consolidation loan. Parent borrowers must enroll in the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan to qualify for PSLF.

How long does it take to be approved for a parent PLUS loan?

How long does processing take? Due to the value of PLUS applications at peak times (particularly summer and the start of the Fall term), PLUS loans can take 4 weeks for processing and for the loan to be posted on the student's financial aid summary.

Can you be denied student loans because of bad credit?

Yes, you can get student loans with bad credit. Federal student loans don't have a minimum credit score and most don't require a credit check at all. Some private student loans are available with bad credit but can be costly without a creditworthy cosigner.

What is the income limit for parent PLUS loans?

With Parent PLUS loans, the parent can borrow up to the cost of the child's attendance each year, minus any financial assistance that has been awarded, with no limit on the amount borrowed. This is true regardless of the parent's income.

What is the loophole for parent plus borrowers?

How to Use the Double Consolidation Loophole: The key to using the double consolidation loophole is to consolidate each of your Parent PLUS Loans twice. In this scenario, a borrower can have as few as two Parent PLUS Loans.

Do parent PLUS loans look at income?

Does my debt-to-income ratio, credit score, or employment status count against me when I apply for a PLUS loan? These factors aren't taken into account when credit history is reviewed. A lack of credit is not considered adverse credit. write-off of federal student aid debt.

What are the negatives about the parent PLUS loan?

What Are Some Reasons to Avoid PLUS Loans? First, PLUS loans have no automatic grace period. Then there's the fact they aren't eligible for most IDR plans. Then, borrowing too much is easy to do, and finally, they're nearly impossible to get out of, even in bankruptcy.

Does everyone get approved for a parent PLUS loan?

To be eligible for a Direct PLUS Loan for parents, you must be a biological or adoptive parent (or in some cases a stepparent), not have an adverse credit history, and meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid (which the child must meet as well). Was this page helpful?

How to pay for college if denied financial aid?

7 Options if You Didn't Receive Enough Financial Aid
  1. Apply for scholarships.
  2. Request an aid adjustment.
  3. Explore additional needs-based programs.
  4. Find part-time work.
  5. Ask about tuition payment plans.
  6. Request additional federal student loans.
  7. Research private or alternative loans.

Does GPA affect parent PLUS loan?

Eligibility for Federal Parent PLUS Loans

Dependent student must be making satisfactory academic progress, such as maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in college.

What disqualifies you from a parent PLUS loan?

If you're a parent or graduate student seeking a Direct PLUS Loan, one of the requirements to qualify is that you must not have an adverse credit history. If your application is denied because of an adverse credit history, don't give up. You still have options.

What disqualifies you from getting a student loan?

If you don't meet baseline eligibility requirements, or if you've previously defaulted on a loan, you may not be approved for a federal student loan. You must maintain "satisfactory progress" in school to be approved for student loans. You can take steps to regain or improve your eligibility for student loans.

Can I still get denied with a cosigner?

You can still be denied, but only in rare circumstances, most of which will likely not apply to a first-time borrower. A borrower with a poor credit history or negative financial situations, such as bankruptcies or repossessions, will have a harder time getting approved for a loan—even with a good co-signer.

Is a parent PLUS loan easy to get?

Pros and cons for parent PLUS loans

PLUS loans don't require good credit, making them an ideal option for low-credit borrowers. However, you can't have an adverse credit history, such as bankruptcies or loan defaults within the past five years.

How do I know if my parent PLUS loan is approved?

After you receive your parent PLUS loan, you will be contacted by your loan servicer (you will repay your loan to the loan servicer). Your loan servicer will provide regular updates on the status of your parent PLUS loan.

How often are parent PLUS loans disbursed?

One-half of the Parent PLUS Loan is disbursed during the fall and the second half during the spring. Plan ahead and request the full amount you will need for the entire academic year. Increases are limited to one per semester.

What is the average parent PLUS loan debt?

Based on the information from Federal Student Aid, as of 2022, the average Parent PLUS Loan debt is $29,528. Although that might not sound like a huge amount, it depends on the parent's income.

What if I can't pay my parent PLUS loan?

If you can't pay off the loan immediately, you have two options: rehabilitation and consolidation . Rehabilitation: After 9 months of reasonable payments (based on your income), your loan will be in good standing. Rehabilitation removes the default note from your credit report.

Do parent PLUS loans get inherited?

What happens to my parent's PLUS loan if my parent dies or if I die? Your parent's PLUS loan will be discharged if your parent dies or if you (the student on whose behalf your parent obtained the loan) die.