The importance of good credit
Building and maintaining good credit is a lifelong financial skill. It can make a big difference when you apply for a car loan, credit card, lease, mortgage, or even when you apply for a job.
Undergraduate student loans and credit
If you didn’t have a strong or established credit history when you applied for your private student loan, you probably added a cosigner. Their credit history was evaluated along with yours to be approved for a loan.
Undergraduate student loans are one way you can build your credit history. If you consistently make on-time payments, student loans can have a positive impact on your credit score. On the other hand, if you miss payments and fall behind, your actions can indicate that you’re a higher risk to a company considering giving you a loan or credit card. It can also lead to you getting a higher interest rate than someone with better credit.
Graduate student loans and credit
As a graduate student, you may have federal and private undergraduate loans in repayment. It’s just as important that you keep your payments current when you’re a graduate student as when you were an undergraduate. Private graduate loans are credit-based, so your credit history plays an important role in whether you can qualify for a loan. When you apply for a Direct Grad PLUS Loan, the government will perform a credit check to make sure you don’t have an adverse credit history, such as bankruptcy, tax liens, or foreclosures. Learn what’s considered adverse credit