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Question regarding paying student loans while in school

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Tischer712
Regular Contributor

Question regarding paying student loans while in school

I currently have 22k in student loans, I was considering starting to make payments on them while in my last semester. My question is will it help my credit score by putting them to pays as agreed instead of current/Deferred. Just looking for a small score boost before apping for a mortgage.


Starting Score: myFico Scores Equifax 544 Transunion 585
Current Score: myFico Scores Equifax 655 Transunion 663 Experian 645
Goal Score: 700 Across the board


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Message 1 of 12
11 REPLIES 11
laz98
Senior Contributor

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school

i think as long as you are in school, your loans will say "in school/deferred" even if you are paying on them.  it never changed any of my statuses.  even if it did make a difference, i don't think it would make THAT much of a difference in your score to bother with it.  good luck with whatever you decide!  Smiley Happy

Message 2 of 12
MarineVietVet
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school

I must say that laz98 knows much more about the topic of student loans than I ever will and so I don't say much on this board.

 

But I will point out that the more you can pay on these now the less you will owe when you graduate. Less debt is always a good thing! 

 

 

 

 

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 3/11 pulled by lender- 835, EQ - 2/11-816, TU - 2/11-782

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

Message 3 of 12
laz98
Senior Contributor

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school


@MarineVietVet wrote:

But I will point out that the more you can pay on these now the less you will owe when you graduate. Less debt is always a good thing! 


so true!  especially since student loans seem like they never go away Smiley Sad

 

OP, if you have any credit cards that you can pay down, definitely do it!  that is the simplest way to give yourself some more points.

Message 4 of 12
Tischer712
Regular Contributor

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school

I just opened two cards, besides my student loans there isn't anything else positive. Both those cards first statments are due this week, so I am hoping to see them on there, and start building up some good credit.


Starting Score: myFico Scores Equifax 544 Transunion 585
Current Score: myFico Scores Equifax 655 Transunion 663 Experian 645
Goal Score: 700 Across the board


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 5 of 12
laz98
Senior Contributor

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school

are those 2 cards already reporting on each of your reports?  i'm wondering if you have already taken the hit for the new accounts, which can either help or hinder your scores temporarily.

Message 6 of 12
Tischer712
Regular Contributor

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school

My first Wells Fargo one showed up today, huge gain of 27 points, the other Capital one card hasn't shown yet. So still waiting


Starting Score: myFico Scores Equifax 544 Transunion 585
Current Score: myFico Scores Equifax 655 Transunion 663 Experian 645
Goal Score: 700 Across the board


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 7 of 12
laz98
Senior Contributor

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school

are you applying very soon?  definitely wait for everything to show up as current, before you buy new scores, so you can see where you really stand Smiley Happy

Message 8 of 12
Tischer712
Regular Contributor

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school

Not apping for the mortgage till April to May. I'm hoping that by then my credit will be in the upper 600's form the 630 I am sitting at now.


Starting Score: myFico Scores Equifax 544 Transunion 585
Current Score: myFico Scores Equifax 655 Transunion 663 Experian 645
Goal Score: 700 Across the board


Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 9 of 12
Tazman81
Established Contributor

Re: Question regarding paying student loans while in school

Please also consider your debt to income ratio.  Most banks require you include the student loans in that ratio if they will be coming due within the next 10monhts or so.

 

You advised you were graduating, so if you can start paying off any of your loans now to decrease your debt to income ratio, that will help in the approval process as well.  Or if you don't think that will be a concern, then that is fine as well.

 

If you have subsidized and unsubidized loans, pay toward the unsubsidized ones first as those are the ones you are paying the interest on out of pocket.

 

If debt to income will become a problem when it's time to pay back your student loans, then you may want to try to pay off your loans with the lowest balance and work your way up.  Usually federal loan you have requires you pay about $50 a month toward it when it's time for repayment.  Sallie Mae has a good loan calculator on their website which will tell you how much per month you will be required to pay as a minimum toward your student loans.

 

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.


Current Score: Eq: 823 Tu: 830
Goal Score: Eq: 850 Tu: 850

Wallet: PenFed Power Cash 50k | AMEX Blue Cash (AU) 49.5k | Cap One QSMC 26.5k | AMEX Platinum NPSL | USAA Signature Visa 25k
Message 10 of 12
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