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How does defaulting on a student loan affect future borrowing ?
Defaulting on a student loan can severely impact your financial future, including your ability to borrow money. Here's what happens when you default and how it affects future borrowing: 1. **Consequences of Defaulting**: When you fail to make payments on your student loan for an extended period (typically 270 days), it's declared in default. The loan servicer then takes measures like wage garnishment, tax refund offset, and charging collection fees. Your credit score also takes a significant hit. 2. **Impact on Future Borrowing**: - **Difficulty Obtaining New Loans**: Lenders see you as a high-risk borrower, making it hard to get mortgages, car loans, or personal loans. - **Higher Interest Rates**: Even if approved, you face higher interest rates due to your damaged credit score. - **Limited Borrowing Options**: You may only qualify for secured or co-signed loans. - **Trouble Renting Property**: Some landlords check credit scores, and a defaulted loan can hinder your rental applications. - **Impact on Employment Opportunities**: While less common, some employers might check your credit report, affecting job prospects in industries where financial responsibility is crucial. 3. **Recovering from Default**: - **Rehabilitation Programs**: Many lenders offer these to help you make affordable payments over time, removing the default status. - **Consolidation Loans**: You can consolidate your defaulted loan into a new Direct Consolidation Loan through the federal government, making it easier to manage your debt. However, this doesn't remove the default status from your credit report. - **Paying Off the Debt**: If possible, paying off the loan in full removes the default status and improves your borrowing prospects. Negotiating a settlement with your lender or seeking assistance from a nonprofit credit counseling agency are other options.