The Importance of Having A Good Credit Score

In the United States, a higher credit score means more opportunity. It is can sometimes be difficult to obtain and maintain high credit scores.  However, having a high score is a sign that you’re financial responsible and meet your payment obligations in a timely manner. More so, having a good credit score indicates you’re a good risk to potential lenders.  So it is important to try to maintain a high score or to improve on your score if it is too low.

A credit score is basically your credit reputation.  Who doesn’t want a good reputation? If you want to see an “approved” mark on your credit application sheet, then you must avoid the following:

1. No Credit History

Many people say having no credit is worse than having bad credit.  While that isn’t the case, without a longer credit history your score will suffer.  As a result of the lower score lenders are often discouraged because they don’t have access to a credit history on which to base a lending decision.  While you can still be approved, institutions are more likely to deny your application.

Lending institutions use credit scores to quickly judge your creditworthiness. Unfortunately, if you haven’t established a credit history, your credit score will be lower.  Also, because of a lack of history, lenders may be reluctant about extending you credit.

2. Low credit scores.

The average credit score in the United States is between 580 and 650. There are major institutions called credit reporting agencies in the US that determine if you are suitable to be given credit. Equifax, Trans Union and Experian are the three biggest credit reporting agencies. Your credit score is calculated using data found in your credit report at each agency.  Your score will vary because there are usually minor differences in information available from one agency to the next.

If your credit score isn’t above the standard score, you’ll more than likely be denied credit.  The key is to use your credit responsibly.  Don’t be immature.  Don’t take on more credit than you can afford.  Always pay more than your minimum payment for credit card debt.   Credit is very useful when used correctly.  A credit card can come in handy during an emergency.  Receiving lower interest rates on a home or car loan can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars.   Use credit wisely and your credit score will improve.

Having Trouble With your Student Loan Payments? Look Into your Deferment and Forbearance Options

If you just graduated in May with federal Stafford student loans, you may be having to adjust your monthly budget to accommodate new student loan payments as your Stafford six-month grace periods end sometime this month. If you’re still looking for a job, or if you’re at an entry-level salary right now, you may not have the money you’re going to need to meet a new monthly student loan expense.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or any parent or student loan borrower, if you’re having trouble meeting your student loan payments each month, NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company, urges you to contact your lenders about your deferment and forbearance options. Deferment and forbearance periods can allow you to temporarily reduce or postpone the monthly payments on your student loans without putting yourself at risk for damaging your credit score or defaulting on you student loans.

 

What are deferment and forbearance benefits?

Deferment allows you to temporarily stop making payments on your student loans. If you’re unemployed or experiencing financial hardship, you may be able to request a deferment, for up to a year at a time, up to a total of three years over the life of the student loan. You must contact your lender to request an unemployment or hardship deferment, and you may need to fill out a deferment request form.
Forbearance allows you to temporarily reduce or postpone payments on your student loans. You may be able to request a forbearance if you’re unemployed or experiencing financial hardship. You must contact your lender to request a hardship forbearance, and you’ll typically need to complete a forbearance request form. You may also need to submit supporting documentation.

Generally, a lender can grant a forbearance for up to a year at a time. Unlike unemployment or hardship deferments, there is no three-year cumulative limit on discretionary forbearance periods granted due to financial hardship.

 

Which student loans are eligible for deferment and forbearance?

Most federal student loans Student Loan Consolidation, Stafford loans, PLUS loans, and Grad PLUS loans) are eligible for deferment and forbearance benefits.

Some private student loans may also offer deferment or forbearance benefits—you should contact your private student loan lender.

Keep in mind that if you’re considering an economic hardship deferment or forbearance, you need to contact your lender, even for your federal student loans. Hardship deferments and discretionary forbearances are generally not automatic.

 

Am I being charged interest while my student loans are in deferment or forbearance?

Yes. Interest charges continue to accrue on your student loans even if they’re in deferment or forbearance. You’ll be responsible for the interest on your unsubsidized student loans (such as unsubsidized Stafford loans) that are in deferment and on any of your student loans, whether subsidized or unsubsidized, that are in forbearance. The government will pay the interest on any of your subsidized student loans (such as Perkins or subsidized Stafford loans) that you have in deferment.

Any unpaid interest that accrues during a deferment or forbearance period will be capitalized and added to your principal student loan balance for you to repay once you go back into repayment. Even if your payments are postponed during a deferment or forbearance period, you can always choose to make interest payments to avoid having accrued interest added to your principal student loan balance and capitalized.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we’re dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans and Student Loan Consolidation at NextStudent.com.

Related Student Loans Articles

Deferment and Forbearance: When You?re Having Trouble Making your Student Loan Payments

Whether you’ve only been out of college a few months and are still looking for a job, or you’ve just lost a job you had for the past five years, you may not always be fully financially equipped to handle your student loan debt. When unexpected expenses or hardships hit, even the most responsible borrowers can find themselves struggling to make their student loan payments.

But the good news is that your federal student loans come with repayment plans and deferment and forbearance benefits that could help you when you’re having trouble making your monthly payments.

To help you avoid getting caught in financial trouble with missed payments and defaulted student loans, NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company, offers this quick guide to your deferment and forbearance benefits.

Postponing or Reducing Your Monthly Student Loan Payments

If you’re having trouble affording your monthly payments, don’t just ignore your monthly bills; always communicate with your lender about your financial situation and ask about your deferment and forbearance options. Deferments and forbearances allow you to temporarily postpone or reduce your monthly student loan payments while keeping your credit score intact.

Deferments and discretionary forbearances (granted in cases of financial hardship) aren’t automatic. You need to contact your lender to request a deferment or forbearance. You may be required to complete a deferment or forbearance request form and to submit supporting documentation.

Most federal student loans (including Perkins loans, Stafford loans, PLUS loans, Grad PLUS loans, and consolidation loans) come with deferment and forbearance benefits. Some private student loans may also offer deferment or forbearance periods—you’ll need to contact your private student loan lender.

Deferment

Deferment allows you to temporarily stop making payments on your student loans.

You may be able to request a deferment on your federal student loans if you are:

Enrolled in school at least half time
Unemployed
Experiencing economic hardship
In the military and have been deployed

When you’re in deferment, you’ll only be charged interest on your unsubsidized student loans. The interest on your deferred subsidized student loans will be paid by the government.

You can choose to make interest payments on your unsubsidized student loans during deferment in order to avoid having any accrued unpaid interest added to your principal student loan balance.

For your private student loans, contact your lender to see if they offer deferment periods under certain enrollment, military service, or financial circumstances.

Forbearance

Forbearance allows you to temporarily reduce or postpone payments on your student loans. You may request a discretionary forbearance in cases of unemployment or financial hardship. Generally, your lender can grant a forbearance for up to a year at a time.

When you’re in forbearance, you’re responsible for all interest that accrues, whether the student loans in forbearance are subsidized or unsubsidized. You can choose to make interest payments during forbearance in order to avoid having any accrued unpaid interest added to your principal loan balance.
Avoiding Default

Just like making on-time car or credit card payments, timely student loan repayment can be a way for you to build credit or improve your credit score. At the same time, every student loan payment you miss can bring down your credit score. Miss enough payments, and your student loans could go into default, which can cause damage to your credit that takes years to repair.

The key to avoiding default is communicating with your lenders about your financial situation and requesting a deferment or forbearance if you need one. More likely than not, your lenders are going to be willing to work with you to help keep you from defaulting by keeping your student loan repayment affordable, even when you’re facing tough financial circumstances.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we’re dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans and Student Loan Consolidation at NextStudent.com.

Find More Student Loans Articles