FAFSA Parent Plus Loan denied - urgent help adding endorser needed!

I went through this exact situation last year. First, don't panic! You have two options: either your parent can appeal the credit decision or you can get an endorser. An endorser is basically a cosigner who agrees to pay the loan if your parent doesn't. To add an endorser, your parent needs to: 1. Go back to studentaid.gov and select "Apply for Parent PLUS Loan" 2. Choose the "Endorse a Direct PLUS Loan" option 3. The endorser (whoever is helping you) will need their own FSA ID to complete their part 4. Your parent will also need to complete PLUS Credit Counseling online The endorser doesn't have to be a relative - it can be anyone with good credit who's willing to take on the responsibility. The endorser will need to provide their financial information and go through a credit check too.

when my mom got denied we just took the additional unsubsizdied loans they offered me. it was less money but didnt need a cosigner. check ur financial aid portal, they might have already offered u more unsub loans

The endorser doesn't have to have perfect credit, but they need to be better than the parent who was denied. When selecting an endorser, choose someone who: - Has stable income - Doesn't have recent collections or charge-offs - Ideally has a debt-to-income ratio under 50% - Has established credit history The process typically takes 7-10 business days from endorser application to approval IF everything goes smoothly. Your parent will need to complete PLUS Loan Credit Counseling regardless of which option you choose (appeal or endorser). Also, as someone mentioned, your school should automatically offer you additional unsubsidized loans when a Parent PLUS is denied. The amount varies depending on your year in school (usually $4,000-$5,000 extra). This won't cover the full PLUS amount but helps reduce the gap.

Been there and it SUCKED!!! The financial aid system is COMPLETELY broken. My mom got denied for a stupid $300 medical bill that went to collections that she didn't even know about. We ended up having to get my uncle to be the endorser and it was the most awkward conversation ever having to explain our financial situation to extended family. The worst part was dealing with the FSA people - called like 20 times and kept getting disconnected or waiting for HOURS. Complete nightmare. And then my uncle had technical problems with the website when he tried to complete his part. The whole process took almost a month when they said it would be "quick and easy" 🙄

I had to deal with this Parent PLUS loan denial too. I used Claimyr.com to get through to an actual human at Federal Student Aid after wasting days trying on my own. It connected me directly to a rep who walked me through the endorser process step by step. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent explained that the endorser needs to have their own FSA ID and complete the endorser addendum online. My neighbor ended up being my endorser (doesn't have to be family). Once that was done and my mom completed the credit counseling, the loan was approved within 5 business days.

My parebts got dneid for Parent PLUS last semester and we went with the appeal option instead of endorser. If your mom can prove the medical bills were insurance's fault or the collections was a mistake it might work!! we submitted a letter explaining the sitaution with some documentation and it got approved without needing any endorser. Worth trying both paths at same time if u can

this happened 2 me too, the endorser thing is super confusing!!! i thought my grandma could do it but she couldnt figure out how to make an FSA ID and kept locking herself out lol. we gave up and i just took the extra unsubsidized loans they offered + got a part time job + took one less class this semester. its not ideal but sometimes the parent plus loan is more trouble than its worth tbh

One more important thing about the endorser process: both your parent AND the endorser will need to complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and PLUS Credit Counseling. The endorser needs to understand they're taking on a serious responsibility - if your parent doesn't pay, the endorser becomes fully responsible for the debt. After approval, there's still processing time on the school's end, usually 3-5 business days. So from start to finish, you're looking at potentially 2-3 weeks total. I'd recommend contacting your school's financial aid office right away to let them know you're in this situation. Many schools will place a temporary hold on your account while the PLUS loan is being processed as long as you communicate with them.

When we did the endorser thing, we learned the endorser can only endorse for the EXACT amount that was originally requested on the PLUS loan application. So if ur thinking of asking for a smaller amount with the endorser, ur parent would need to submit a brand new PLUS loan application for that lower amount first. Just FYI so u don't waste time!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I just went through the exact same situation a few months ago. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: 1. **Time is critical** - Start the endorser process IMMEDIATELY while also exploring other options. Don't wait to see if one path works before trying another. 2. **Multiple backup plans** - Accept those additional unsubsidized loans right away (even if it's not the full amount), apply for emergency grants from your school, and look into payment plans. 3. **Endorser tips** - When approaching potential endorsers, be upfront about the responsibility but also mention it's only for THIS loan period. Don't make it sound scarier than it needs to be, but be honest about what they're signing up for. 4. **School communication** - Call your financial aid office AND bursar's office today. Many schools are understanding about Parent PLUS delays if you're proactive about communicating. You've got this! It feels overwhelming now but there are definitely solutions. The key is acting fast on multiple fronts instead of putting all your eggs in one basket. Keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm a financial aid officer and want to add some important details that might help: **Timeline Reality Check**: While people are saying 7-10 days, I'm seeing 2-3 weeks minimum right now due to high volume. Don't count on anything faster. **Endorser Requirements**: The endorser must pass their own credit check - they can't have adverse credit history either. This trips up a lot of families who assume any willing relative will qualify. **School-Specific Options**: Contact your financial aid office about these additional options: - Emergency/hardship grants (many schools have funds specifically for this situation) - Extended payment plans that let you pay tuition in installments - Work-study increases if you're already eligible - Institutional loans with better terms than private loans **Pro Tip**: If you're close to your degree completion, some schools will let you register and attend classes while the PLUS loan is processing, as long as you sign an agreement to pay if it falls through. Don't panic - I've helped hundreds of students through this exact situation and there's almost always a path forward. The key is having multiple backup plans ready to go.