Parent PLUS loans are generally easy to get approved for, as they do not require a minimum credit score, but they do require that you not have an "adverse credit history". Approval depends on a specific, limited credit check rather than a comprehensive creditworthiness assessment, making them accessible to most parents.
In general, you will be denied if you have adverse credit consisting of any of the following: Bankruptcy discharge within the past five years. Voluntary surrender of personal property to avoid repossession within the last five years. Collateral repossession within the past five years.
If you apply for a parent plus loan and are denied, your son's federal unsubsidized loan can be increased by $4000 for the year.
Parent PLUS Loans allow parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, minus other financial aid. There is no minimum credit score required, but applicants must not have adverse credit history, such as recent delinquencies, defaults, or bankruptcies.
A Parent PLUS loan is typically denied due to an "adverse credit history," meaning specific negative credit events like having debts over $2,008 that are 90+ days delinquent, recent charge-offs, collections, tax liens, foreclosures, wage garnishments, or bankruptcy discharges within the last five years. Other reasons can include failing general federal aid requirements or incorrect application information, but the primary hurdle is the credit check for adverse conditions.
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).
There is no minimum credit score required for a Parent PLUS Loan. However, borrowers cannot have an adverse credit history as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
Obtain an endorser.
If you get an adverse credit result, you can still qualify for a PLUS loan if you get an endorser. To go this route, you'll also have to complete PLUS Credit Counseling. agrees to pay back your Direct PLUS Loan if you don't.
A parent PLUS loan enables your parents or stepparents to borrow money that can be applied to your educational expenses. PLUS loans are loaned directly from the federal government to the borrower. This loan is not based on your family's income or asset information provided on the FAFSA.
However, Parent PLUS Loans will be capped at $20,000 per student per year and a $65,000 lifetime limit beginning July 1, 2026. Parents who borrowed before that date can continue borrowing under the current limits for up to three additional years or until their student completes their program. Good news.
Starting July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS Loans for undergraduates will have new limits: $20,000 annually and a $65,000 lifetime cap per student, replacing the previous unlimited borrowing up to the cost of attendance. Parents who borrowed before this date can continue under old rules for a few more years (grandfathering), while new borrowers after July 2026 will face these caps and standard repayment plans only, losing access to income-driven options.
What are the eligibility requirements?
The #1 most common FAFSA mistake is leaving fields blank, followed closely by name/Social Security Number mismatches, but other major errors include incorrect marital/parental info, not reading questions carefully (especially "you" vs. "parent"), and filing late or not at all. You must complete all questions, entering '0' or 'N/A' if applicable, use exact legal names, and ensure accurate SSNs to avoid delays or rejections, with many sources highlighting the importance of filing on time for maximum aid.
FAFSA stops using parents' income when a student becomes an independent student, which happens automatically at age 24 by December 31 of the award year, or earlier if they meet specific criteria like being married, serving in the military, having dependents, or being an orphan/ward of the court. If you're under 24 and don't meet these conditions, you're dependent and must provide parent financial info.
The "7-year rule" for student loans generally refers to when negative marks, like defaults, are removed from your credit report (around 7 years after the first missed payment or default date for federal loans, 7.5 years for private loans), but the debt itself doesn't disappear and must be paid off; it's also a benchmark in bankruptcy proceedings where federal loans can become dischargeable after 7 years from when payments were due, though proving "undue hardship" is required and difficult.
You can borrow $50,000 - $100,000+ with a 750 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.
A Parent PLUS loan is typically denied due to an "adverse credit history," meaning specific negative credit events like having debts over $2,008 that are 90+ days delinquent, recent charge-offs, collections, tax liens, foreclosures, wage garnishments, or bankruptcy discharges within the last five years. Other reasons can include failing general federal aid requirements or incorrect application information, but the primary hurdle is the credit check for adverse conditions.
Log in to your StudentAid.gov account and check “My Activity” to see if your PLUS loan application is on file. Call your school for an update on your PLUS loan award. Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center if you have questions about your credit appeal process.
Knowing these elements gives you a clear advantage in the application process.