The credit criteria for getting a parent Plus loan was quietly
tightened in recent years. But you still can appeal if you are
turned down.  Parents applying for a Plus loan have to undergo a
credit check that looks for an "adverse credit history." That
includes having a current delinquency of 90 days or more;
certain events on your credit history, such as a foreclosure;
having an account in collections with a nonzero balance; and
having an account charged off with a nonzero balance.  The
percentage of parents denied for a Plus loan jumped to about 50%
from about 30% after the standards were tightened, according to
a analysis.  But parents who are turned down can appeal in
certain circumstances. (If you got a Plus loan before the
tighter standards were imposed in 2011, you will typically be
grandfathered into the program, even if you have what is now
considered an adverse credit history.)  To appeal a rejection,
log into the federal student loan website, and select "Document
Extenuating Circumstances." Or call