I am planning to attend law school in the fall and I know I am going to need a Grad PLUS Loan. My credit is not the best. I am current on credit cards and my student loans. The problem is that I have a few open collections on my credit report. Mostly parking tickets and one old rent collection. Will I still be approved for the Grad PLUS loan or should I try to pay off the collections. They total about 2k.

I think you best bet is to call a lender like SallieMae and ask them point blank. Here is my credit score and my situation: would I be approved? They'll be honest with you about where you stand and you should know what your next step needs to be.

So, you want to go for law school. It is a good decision. You had mentioned that you have not a good credit history and you are on credit cards and on student loans. dst1 told you a good way , i.e. SalieMae is a good choice and if you show honesty to the people then there is possibility that you will get the loan. Other than these try your luck on federal loans.

Graduate PLUS Loan can be completed in three ways. A School initiated process, where the student completes the PLUS application and returns to ISU for processing, and two types of borrower initiated process via the web or by phone.

1: School Initiated Graduate PLUS Loan Process

You need to complete Grad PLUS application, and returns application to Office of Student Financial Aid for processing.
If you want to know the eligibility then call chosen lenders toll free number to determine whether they qualify for the Grad PLUS Loan.
If you are a first time borrower, you will receive notification from the lender/guarantor to do an electronic PLUS MPN on the web or a paper PLUS MPN.
If you denied due to a credit check, they are not eligible for any additional Stafford Loans

2: Borrower Initiated Graduate PLUS Process on the web

You need to go to Office of Student Financial Aid MPN website
Then click on the lender link to do the Grad PLUS application
To determines their eligibility for Grad PLUS Loan on the web
If you are first time borrower, you will receive notification from the lender/guarantor to do an electronic PLUS MPN on the web or paper MPN.
If you is denied due to a credit check, they are not eligible for any additional Stafford Loans

3: Borrower Initiated Graduate PLUS Process by phone

You need to call toll free number of lender to initiate PLUS Loan.
Lender takes student information over the phone to initiate application process.
If it is your first time, you will receive notification from the lender/guarantor to do an electronic PLUS MPN on the web, or paper MPN.

Best of Luck!

Thanks for the hlep. Should I call call Sallie Mae now although it is pretty early in the year to apply for student loans? I am really nervous that if I do not get approved, then I will not be able to attend.

Sensitivity to nuance is the sign of a good lawyer. "I think your best bet is to call a lender like SallieMae and ask them point blank. Here is my credit score and my situation: would I be approved?" The question is prospective. You're not asking them to approve loan, you just want to know where you stand. I'd do it now because in case they say "no," your follow up question should be what you need to do between now and then to improve your credit so you can get approved later.

Although, I do not know much about these type of loans, there is no "right time" to apply for loans in a year. You can apply at anytime. However, with many loans (like school certified loans), you must have classes on your schedule for them to determine your estimated cost of attendance.

Like I said though, this may not be the case for grade plus loans. I have no clue if these have to be school certified.