Pre-Qualification Application at a glance
What it is: The Pre-Qualification Application is the first step in preparing for homeownership through the USDA Rural Development Loan Program.
Who signs: All adult household members 18 years or older sign and date Form 3550-1 "Authorization to Release Information."
A filled-in Pre-Qualification Application example: Pat fills out page 1 alone

How to fill out Pre-Qualification Application, box by box
Purchase
Applicant information

Under APPLICANT INFORMATION, fill in Name (First Middle Last), Address, City, State, Zip, Home, Cell, Work, Fax, Email Address, DOB, Sex, Marital Status, Social Security Number, Race, Citizen? Y N, Ethnicity and Employer.
Under APPLICANT INFORMATION, fill in Position Held, Start Date, Hourly Rate of Pay, Avg hrs worked per week and Annual Bonus.
Co-applicant information

If there is a co-applicant, under CO-APPLICANT INFORMATION, fill in Name (First Middle Last), Address, City, State, Zip, Home, Cell, Work, Fax, Email Address, DOB, Sex, Marital Status, Social Security Number, Race, Citizen? Y N, Ethnicity and Employer.
If there is a co-applicant, under CO-APPLICANT INFORMATION, fill in Position Held, Start Date, Hourly Rate of Pay, Avg hrs worked per week and Annual Bonus.
Monthly Non-Wage Income
Type of Payment and Type of Asset

Under Type of Payment, enter the Creditor Name, Monthly Payments and Balance for Car Payment, Credit Card, Medical/Dr. Bills, Student Loans, Child Support Owed, Other Debt, Rent / House Pmt and Other. Under Type of Asset, enter the Cash Value of Cash, Checking Acct., Savings Acct., Stocks/Bonds/CDs, IRAs/Retirement, Real Estate Owned, Auto/Vehicle and Other.
Annual Medical Expenses and Annual Child Care Expenses

Enter Annual Medical Expenses (complete only if disabled or over 62) and Annual Child Care Expenses.
Mark Y or N for SRS pay any?, Have you owned a home in the last 3 years?, Any payments past due, more than 30 days, in the past 12 months? and Any judgments, bankruptcy, or foreclosures in the past 3 yrs?.
More rules for Pre-Qualification Application
To help determine if you are eligible for the Section 502 program, complete all applicable sections.
Enter Name (First Middle Last), Relationship, Age, Student?, Income/Month and Source for Other Household Members Who Will Live In House Not Listed.
Failure to disclose certain items of information requested, including your Social Security Number or Federal Identification Number, may result in a delay in the processing of an application or its rejection.
Common questions about Pre-Qualification Application
Is there a deadline?
USDA Rural Development will notify you within 14 days by email or mail once a preliminary review has been completed.
Where do I file it?
Submit your completed application to include the Pre-Qualification Application and Form 3550-1 by mail, fax, or email. Return with Release form to pagrh@pa.usda.gov or fax (855) 813-2863. USDA Rural Development Housing Programs, 359 East Park Drive, Suite 4, Harrisburg, PA 17111-2747.
Are there fees?
Upon receipt of your application and signed Form 3550-1, a Preliminary Credit Report will be obtained at no cost to you.
Sources
[1] Pre-Qualification Application (Revised November 2015), USDA Rural Development (the Official source link on this page).






