Do student loans affect your credit report?

Student loans don’t just supply the money you need for college tuition and housing. They can impact your credit report in a variety of ways. Student borrowing may even begin to affect this record as soon as you fill out an application.

Inquiries

When you apply for any type of loan, the lender will usually obtain information about your borrowing history. This inquiry has a small negative effect on your score. A lender is more likely to check the report if you seek a private loan without government backing.

Payments

New borrowing may have a small negative impact on your report at first. Nevertheless, you will only see major changes after you start to pay student loans. On-time payments add positive records, helping you maintain a high credit score.

A favorable report has many potential benefits. It gives you a better chance of getting approved for a mortgage, auto loan, credit card, or insurance policy. After approval, you’ll probably pay lower interest rates or premiums. Your payment history can even affect access to home rentals and jobs.

Lateness

On the other hand, educational borrowing may put your credit score at risk. Negative records could appear on the report for several years if you become unable to pay on time. However, occasional short-term lateness might not have an impact.

If you have a private loan, negative records probably won’t appear until payment is one month late. Federal loans usually don’t trigger delinquency reports for three months. On the other hand, a permanent student loan default will definitely have a major negative effect.

Options

When you can’t afford to make a payment on time, be sure to learn about and compare alternative student loan repayment options. You may be able to avoid harming your score by applying for a deferment or forbearance. Ask about income-driven repayment plans as well.

The bottom line is that student loans may harm or benefit your credit report under different circumstances. If you need help finding the best way to repay a federal loan and avoid the consequences of missed payments, StudentLoanify can provide expert assistance.