 TITLE: Do Parent PLUS Loans Affect Your Credit Score? CONTENT: What Credit Score Do You Need to Get a Parent PLUS Loan?\n--------------------------------------------------------\nThe parent PLUS loan credit check doesn't include a credit score check, so there's no minimum credit score requirement. However, the borrower can't have an adverse credit history, which is defined as:\n*   Having over $2,085 in combined debt on your credit report that's 90 or more days past due, or that was sent to collections or charged off within the past two years.\n*   Having experienced one or more of the following in the past five years: Debts discharged through filing bankruptcy, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment or had a federal student loan go into default or be written-off.\nIf you have an adverse credit history and your loan request is denied, you can appeal the decision if there were extenuating circumstances that led to the adverse credit. For example, you've paid off accounts that were previously in collections.\nAlternatively, you may be able to qualify for a parent PLUS loan with an endorser who doesn't have an adverse credit history, as long as it's not the child using the money for school. In either situation, you'll also need to complete a credit counseling course to take out the loan.\nIf you applied and can't qualify for a parent PLUS loan, your child may be eligible for additional unsubsidized federal student loans. In some cases, this may be preferred as the undergraduate loans have a lower interest rate and origination fee than parent PLUS loans. But it also means your child will be responsible for the entire loan amount. END