To receive a parent PLUS loan, the parent borrower must:
- be the biological or adoptive parent (or in some cases, the stepparent) of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school;
- not have an adverse credit history (unless you meet certain additional requirements); and
- meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
Note: Grandparents (unless they have legally adopted the dependent student) and legal guardians are not eligible to receive parent PLUS loans, even if they have had primary responsibility for raising the student.
Students must complete the FAFSA and meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
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. An endorser is someone who does not have adverse credit and agrees to repay the parent PLUS loan if you do not repay it. The endorser cannot be the student on whose behalf you are borrowing.
- Documenting to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances relating to your adverse credit history.
Read this article to learn more about what to do if you are denied a PLUS loan based on an adverse credit history.