@Anonymous wrote:Why does being a co-signer for my daughter's student loans affect my debt? I have co-signed for two of her loans that she pays for, and has not been late on at all? Yet the amount of the loans is sowing on my credit reports as if I have directly incurred that debt; it makes my debt to income ratio blow up? Is there any way to correct this?
Her credit and/or income was not strong enough at the time she applied for the loans to be approved in her name only. You were needed to co-sign, so that if she had a problem, they can come after you. This is how all joint credit works: credit cards, mortgages, etc etc. That's why it's on your credit reports --you are liable for the debt, as is she.
Even in types of credit that are much more flexible, like joint credit cards, it's very difficult to get off as joint owner. Generally the remaining signer (your daughter in your case) would have to be able to qualify for the account on his/her own. And that's just for a credit card.
It's wonderful that you were willing to help your daughter out, but I'm afraid that that's how co-signing works. 
(And kudos to laz, who explained it very well!)
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Thanks...can you request that you be dropped as a co-signer after a period of time? Does that work? She has not been late in 2 years or so, and I need to remove this debt so I can get a refi on my home. How about consolidating her Sallie Mae loans? Does that remove my debt by showing the loans were paid off?
IME with my DW I had co-signed her student loans. After her making timely payments she consolidated her loans in her name only. The TL's closed and had a $0 balance. It removes all the debt on those loans once they report paid and closed with the $0 balance.
Good Luck
this makes sense. i forgot that the old loans would be closed at $0. this might work for you, OP. i will cross my fingers for you! 
Most student loan places will also allow the co-signer to be removed from the debt after there have been a certain number of consecutive on time payments. Usually its like 24 or 36 on time payments. You may want to check with the company that holds your loan to see if they have anything like this. that way you can go ahead and get yourself off of the loans. If they do not, then you may want to see if she can get a consolidation loan solely in her name. That will get you off the loan, and will have the loans report a zero balance on your reports.
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