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Do school loans matter?

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mrcrisp023
Frequent Contributor

Do school loans matter?

Do school loans have any effect on approval chances?  I have about $40,000 in school loans that are all in deferment for now since I am still in school.  I'm not a "right out of high school" college student, but a 30 year old that decided to go back to school a couple years ago to finish my degree.  They're all in good standing and no lates obviously because I don't start making payments on them until 2020. Will these have any impact on approval odds or SL's?  I am planning an app spree this week after my house closes Thursday, which is why I'm asking.

 

Thanks.

Capital One SavorOne: $3000 / Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Visa Signature: $500 / Mission Lane: $1500 / Merrick: $2000 / CreditOne Amex: $850

Starting 09/2022 MyFico 08: EQ 648 / TU 659 / EX 644
Current MyFico 08: EQ 665 / TU 670 / EX 670

2024 EOY Goal: 750
Message 1 of 13
12 REPLIES 12
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Do school loans matter?

not in of themselves but the worst denial reason you'll see is "balances are too high in proportion to limits" but that will be mixed with other reasons. the payments may still affect your DTI though. i wouldn't worry much
Message 2 of 13
mrcrisp023
Frequent Contributor

Re: Do school loans matter?

Thanks.

Capital One SavorOne: $3000 / Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Visa Signature: $500 / Mission Lane: $1500 / Merrick: $2000 / CreditOne Amex: $850

Starting 09/2022 MyFico 08: EQ 648 / TU 659 / EX 644
Current MyFico 08: EQ 665 / TU 670 / EX 670

2024 EOY Goal: 750
Message 3 of 13
ddemari
Super Contributor

Re: Do school loans matter?

I wouldnt worry too much about it either. My student loan balance is high and they are in repayment but this hasnt stopped me from getting approved for several cards. Like other poster stated, DTI ratio may apply. So things like income could be more important when taking into consideration the overall application. 

Message 4 of 13
mrcrisp023
Frequent Contributor

Re: Do school loans matter?

I'm at 51K annually. Hopefully that is high enough to get a few cards with good limits.
Capital One SavorOne: $3000 / Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Visa Signature: $500 / Mission Lane: $1500 / Merrick: $2000 / CreditOne Amex: $850

Starting 09/2022 MyFico 08: EQ 648 / TU 659 / EX 644
Current MyFico 08: EQ 665 / TU 670 / EX 670

2024 EOY Goal: 750
Message 5 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Do school loans matter?

I owe quite a bit but I was still approved for the cards I wanted.I owe ALOT....

Message 6 of 13
mrcrisp023
Frequent Contributor

Re: Do school loans matter?

Yea, hopefully my income is high enough to warrant some nice SL's.
Capital One SavorOne: $3000 / Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Visa Signature: $500 / Mission Lane: $1500 / Merrick: $2000 / CreditOne Amex: $850

Starting 09/2022 MyFico 08: EQ 648 / TU 659 / EX 644
Current MyFico 08: EQ 665 / TU 670 / EX 670

2024 EOY Goal: 750
Message 7 of 13
GeorgiaBulldog
Regular Contributor

Re: Do school loans matter?

Depending on the lender, yes.  My debt-to-income ratio was the sole reason US Bank denied me for Cash+ (without even extending an offer for the lesser cash back card), and all of that debt was from student loans.  It's always been listed as a factor bringing down my FICO scores, but because it is all in good standing, my scores are still in the 740-770 range.  EX was actually in the 790s at the time of the US Bank denial!

 

That being said, I haven't been denied for any other card I've applied for after US Bank (Double Cash, Discover It, BofA Travel and BBR, Barclay Ring, AMEX HHonors) with little/no change to my DTI ratio.  So perhaps only the most conservative of lenders will be frightened by a considerable amount of student loans. 

Favorite cards: AMEX Morgan Stanley Platinum | BofA Alaska | Chase Hyatt | Citi AA Executive | FNBO Amtrak
Message 8 of 13
mrcrisp023
Frequent Contributor

Re: Do school loans matter?

Wow that's nuts. Well hopefully things work out, I'll have to wait and see.
Capital One SavorOne: $3000 / Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Visa Signature: $500 / Mission Lane: $1500 / Merrick: $2000 / CreditOne Amex: $850

Starting 09/2022 MyFico 08: EQ 648 / TU 659 / EX 644
Current MyFico 08: EQ 665 / TU 670 / EX 670

2024 EOY Goal: 750
Message 9 of 13
Samac
Regular Contributor

Re: Do school loans matter?

Blispay rejected me for proportion of loan amount to loan balance and hard inquires (9). My loans are also in deferment. So depending on the lender they can use it as a factor.
Mine are 52k though and will be over 200k by the time I'm done. Makes me a little sick to my stomach. My current income is low to combat it.
Message 10 of 13
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