To qualify for a Parent PLUS loan, the dependent undergraduate student must be enrolled at least half-time, which is generally defined as a minimum of six (6) credits per semester. The parent must also pass a credit check, file a FAFSA, and the student must be in an eligible program.
The parent must complete the Parent PLUS loan request and notify the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 eligible credit hours. The parent must have acceptable credit. The U.S. Department of Education will run a credit check.
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.
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).
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.
Yes, 3 credits generally means 3 hours of weekly instruction (like lectures) for a semester, but it represents a total weekly commitment of about 9 hours, including 3 hours of class and 6 hours of outside study/work (3 hours of instruction + 2 hours study per credit). So, a 3-credit course usually meets 3 times a week (e.g., 50 mins each) and requires several hours of homework/reading per week for a total of around 9 hours.
Full-time status 12 credit hours or more- receive full Pell Grant award amount. 3/4 time status 9-11 credit hours- receive 3/4 of Pell Grant award amount. 1/2 time status 6-8 credit hours- receive 1/2 of Pell Grant award amount. 1/4 time status 1-5 credit hours- receive 1/4 of Pell Grant award amount.
A credit check will be performed during the application process. If you have an adverse credit history, you may still receive a parent PLUS loan through one of these two options: Obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history.
New Limits for Parent PLUS Loans
Today, Parent PLUS borrowing can cover up to a school's full cost of attendance (minus other aid such as scholarships and grants). Starting July 1, 2026, new Parent PLUS loans will be limited to: $20,000 per year and. $65,000 total per student.
If your cumulative GPA drops below 2.0 or if you've dropped/withdrawn from several classes, you may not be meeting a requirement called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If you don't meet SAP, you may not be eligible for financial aid for the upcoming term.
The average public, 4-year university charges in-state residents $406 per credit hour. Most college courses are worth 3 credit hours, meaning one (1) college class typically costs $1,218. Including room & board expenses, the cost is closer to $933 per credit hour.
One academic credit hour generally equals about 45 total hours of work per semester (15 hours of class time + 30 hours of study), based on federal guidelines, though this varies by institution and course type (e.g., labs, online, clinicals). A standard three-credit course, therefore, requires roughly 45 hours of in-class instruction and 90 hours of outside work over a semester, summing to about 135 total hours.
A 3-credit course generally means 45 hours of in-class instruction and about 90 hours of out-of-class work, totaling around 135 total hours over a semester (typically 15 weeks). This breaks down to roughly 3 hours of class time per week (3 x 50-minute sessions) plus 6 hours of homework/study, for a total weekly commitment of about 9 hours.
There is no income that is too high to file a FAFSA. No matter how much you make, you can always submit a FAFSA. Eligibility for need-based financial aid increases as the cost of attendance increases, so even a wealthy student might qualify for financial aid at a higher-cost college.
A Parent PLUS Loan is anything but a plus for your financial goals. In fact, this kind of borrowing is a special kind of toxic because it involves a student and their mom or dad. The only thing worse than debt is the kind that hangs over a family relationship!
Best Parent Loans for College January 2026
Parent PLUS Loans are typically the best loan program option for parents to help their students pay for college. However, private parent loans often offer more competitive interest rates and no origination fees.
50% of your budget goes to necessities: rent, utilities, transportation, insurance, groceries, etc. 30% goes to wants: dining out, shopping, gym membership, entertainment, etc. 20% goes towards savings and debt repayment: student loans, auto loans, credit cards, emergency savings, etc.