I am in the process of trying to rebuild my credit. I went to college from 1996-1999 (I didn't finish). I became a single mom of 2 while going-which is partly why I couldn't finish. I had accumulated roughly $25000 in student loans. About 7000 of this was from my state (WI). When I dropped out, I literally couldn't pay them. I was even told by a collection agency on the federal loans to go on food stamps so I could send them money. Anyway, after years of my tax returns and wages being garnished by the gov. and a judgement entered against me by the university, I am trying to get back in shape. My federal loans are back from default and I am paying on them each month. The university, however, is garnishing my wages. Unfortunately, the $5000 I had left to pay turned into $12000 after interest, so I still have about $9000 left to pay on them. My question is-the judgements were entered on 10/99 and 2/00. Should they still be on my credit report? They have had to renew the garnishment a couple of times, but I was hoping that even though it will be a while before I pay them off-that it could fall off of my credit report. I have 2 years of good credit, 2 cards that are paid on time every month with very low balances, but I feel like these judgements will haunt me forever!