2 Student Loan Options for Parents With Bad Credit

If you're a parent who has bad credit, you have two main options to explore to get student loans to help your child cover their education costs:

Federal Parent PLUS loans

Parent PLUS Loans are a category of federal Direct PLUS Loan available specifically for parents who want to cover their child's college costs. With a Parent PLUS Loan, you might be able to borrow up to your child's cost of attendance minus any other financial aid they've received.

Parent PLUS loans do require a credit check, but you don't need to meet a minimum credit score to qualify. Instead, the check screens for an "adverse" credit history, including things such as bankruptcies, repossessions, wage garnishment, or tax liens in the past five years. This isn't the same level of scrutiny that you would go through for other types of loans like mortgages or car loans.

If you'd like to take out a Parent PLUS Loan, follow these five steps:

1. Fill out the FAFSA. Your child should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school will use these FAFSA results to determine what federal student loans and other federal financial aid your child qualifies for.
2. Apply for scholarships and grants. Unlike student loans, college scholarships and grants don't have to be repaid - which makes them a great way to pay for college. There's no limit to how many scholarships and grants a student can get, so it's a good idea for your child to apply for as many as they can. Your child could also be eligible for school-based scholarships depending on their FAFSA information.
3. Take out federal student loans. After your child submits the FAFSA, the school will send them a financial aid award letter detailing what federal student loans - such as Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans - and other federal financial aid they're eligible for. They can then decide which aid they'd like to accept. Keep in mind that if your child has to borrow for school, it's usually best to rely on subsidized and then unsubsidized loans before turning to PLUS Loans.
4. Complete the Direct PLUS Loan application. If you'd like to also take out a Parent PLUS Loan, you'll need to fill out a Direct PLUS Loan application at StudentAid.gov. Be prepared to provide personal and financial information for both you and your child.
5. Sign the Master Promissory Note and get your funds. If you're approved for a Parent PLUS Loan, you'll need to sign a Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note. After this, the funds will first be released to your child's school to cover tuition and other expenses. Any remaining money will then be disbursed to you.

Private student loans

After your student has exhausted their scholarship, grant, and federal student loan options, private student loans could help fill any financial gaps left over.

If you'd like to take out a private student loan to help your child pay for school, follow these four steps:

1. Check your credit. When you apply for a private student loan, the lender will review your credit to determine your creditworthiness - so it's a good idea to check your credit beforehand to see where you stand. You can use a site like AnnualCreditReport.com to review your credit reports for free. If you find any errors, dispute them with the appropriate credit bureaus to potentially boost your credit score.
2. Compare lenders and pick a loan option. Be sure to compare as many lenders as possible to find the right student loan for your needs. Consider interest rates, repayment terms, and any fees charged by the lender. Also review the eligibility requirements for each lender - for example, some lenders work with borrowers who have poor or fair credit while others don't. After comparing your options, choose the loan option that works best for your needs.
3. Complete the application. Once you've picked a lender, you'll need to fill out a full application and submit any required documentation, such as tax returns or pay stubs. Also be prepared to provide information regarding your student and their school.
4. Get your funds. If you're approved, the lender will send the loan to the school for certification - this process could take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the school. Afterward, the loan funds will be disbursed to the school to cover expenses like tuition, and any remaining money will be refunded to you.

Next steps if a parent is denied a student loan

If you’re struggling to qualify for a student loan or your application was denied, here are several options that could help:

• Explain if you have extenuating circumstances. If your Parent PLUS Loan application was turned down and you have extenuating circumstances, you might be able to appeal the decision. You’ll need to submit documentation as well as a written statement that clearly illustrates your financial circumstances — either through the school’s financial aid office or online at StudentAid.gov.
• Apply for a higher amount of unsubsidized loans. If you’re ineligible for a Parent PLUS Loan, your child might be able to borrow a higher amount of Direct Unsubsidized Loans. They’ll need to contact the school’s financial aid office for more information. Keep in mind that unlike with undergraduate subsidized loans, your child will be responsible for all of the interest that accrues on unsubsidized loans.
• Apply with an endorser. If you have an adverse credit history and don’t qualify for a Parent PLUS Loan, consider applying with an endorser. This can be anyone except for your student who doesn’t have an adverse credit history and who is willing to share responsibility for the loan.
• Apply with a cosigner. If you have poor or fair credit, applying with a creditworthy cosigner could help you get approved for a private student loan. Just keep in mind that if you don’t keep up with your payments, your cosigner will be on the hook.
• Improve your credit. If you can wait to take out a student loan, it could be a good idea to work on improving your credit score to make it easier to qualify in the future. Some potential ways to build your credit include paying all of your bills on time, paying down credit card balances, or getting a credit-builder loan.

If you’re ready to apply for a private student loan, remember to shop around and consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for your needs. This is easy with Credible — you can compare your prequalified rates from multiple lenders in two minutes.