How to Remove Student Loans From Your Credit Report

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A credit report is a record of your past credit activity and current credit standing. It includes information related to your debts, such as payment history and the status of your accounts.

Because your credit report can impact your ability to achieve other financial goals, such as getting approved for another loan or even getting the lowest rate, you may want to remove inaccurate information regarding your student loans from your credit report. Doing so may improve your credit report history and current standing.

You can fix information about your student loans on your credit report by writing a dispute letter and submitting it to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Advice division.

• How to send a dispute letter
• Can you remove loans from your credit report?
• Common credit report errors
• How long does education debt stay on your report?
• Consider refinancing your student loans

How to send a dispute letter

Getting inaccuracies removed from or rectified on your credit report should be something you address immediately after discovering them. If you want to dispute a mistake on your credit report regarding your student loans, follow these three steps.

• Write a dispute letter: The FTC’s Consumer Advice division has a sample letter that you can reference. Your dispute letter should include your name and address and the mistakes you want fixed, and should either be sent in online, initiated over the phone, or sent by certified mail with a read receipt option so you’ll know when they receive the letter.
• Support your dispute: Highlight each piece of information that is inaccurate or incomplete. Send in a copy of your credit report that reflects these inaccuracies, as well as copies of supporting documents. For instance, if your credit report says you’re delinquent on your loans, you should send in proof of on-time payment submission.
• Follow up: The credit bureau must investigate your dispute within 30 days of filing. Regardless if they move forward with your dispute or consider it a dispute that they will not pursue correction on, they have to notify you in writing. If you do not receive feedback from them after the first month, follow up with the credit bureau and ask for an update.

Can you remove student loans from your credit report?

Your student loan amount and payment history will show on your credit report, so removing your student loans may seem like a good idea if you were accidentally late on a payment. However, accurate and correct information regarding your student loan history can’t be removed based on preference or prior to their normal expiration date.

There are specific situations when a student loan can be removed from a credit report and nearly all of them are related to inaccuracies.

Some examples of inaccurate information include:

• Missed or late payments (either during regular repayment periods or forbearance and deferment)
• Student loan default
• Accounts that don’t belong to you

How does inaccurate information affect my credit report?

Incorrect information can negatively impact your ability to gain approval for new credit, and potentially impact other areas of your life such as increasing your car insurance rates or decreasing your ability to secure employment. (Insurance companies may perform a credit check when you request a new policy, and employers might do the same when you’re applying for a job.)

Getting these mistakes fixed on your credit report should be a top priority. Even if some negative elements on your credit report are correct, removing the disputable information can help you regain control of your financial future.

Why you should keep student loans on your credit report

As long as you maintain a good standing with your student loans, it’s necessary (and helpful to your credit score) to keep them on your credit report.

Student loans are reported to the national credit bureaus each month from the time of your first disbursement until after the loan is fully repaid. If you keep making on-time minimum monthly payments, the positive standing can make your credit report more appealing in the eyes of other lenders and can be a great way to improve your credit score for years to come.

Common student loan credit report errors

It’s a good idea to verify that the student loan information on your credit report is accurate and updated regularly.

Also, remember that these mistakes can be made for a variety of reasons beyond your control, such as payment processing issues or confusion with reporting of loan repayment during the CARES Act administrative forbearance period.

If you see any of these following issues, you may have a valid reason to dispute the report:

• Closed accounts that are still reported as open
• Inaccurate payment reporting
• Incorrect status reported
• Loans listed as delinquent that shouldn’t be
• Loans listed as in default that shouldn’t be
• Individual loans displayed multiple times
• Loans listed under your name that you didn’t take out

Check Out: Hard and Soft Credit Inquiries: How to Get Rates Without Affecting Your Credit Score

How long do student loans stay on your credit report?

All defaulted or delinquent student loans will remain on a credit report for a period of seven years, according to Experian. The seven-year timetable begins on the date when the debt is first late or missed. If you rehabilitate your loan, the default will be removed from your credit report. However, student loans in good standing will also remain on your credit report.

Keep Reading: What Happens When You Default on a Student Loan

Consider refinancing your student loans

Some borrowers have trouble affording their student loan payments and many are unable to qualify for federal repayment plans that reduce or forgive their debts. If you have private student loans, you likely have even fewer relief options.

If you can get or keep your federal and private student loans current, make on-time payments toward them, and improve your credit report, you could access a worthwhile option. Student loan refinancing could offer you a lower monthly payment, a lower interest rate, or a different loan term. Refinancing isn’t right for every borrower, however. For instance, it permanently strips federal loans of their government-exclusive safeguards.

Learn More: When Refinancing Is a Good Idea and When to Reconsider

If you think, refinancing could be a good solution, here are the steps to make it happen:

• Gather your loan information: Before shopping for lenders, gather all of your student loan information including servicers, loan terms, outstanding balances, and interest rates so you have a full picture of your current situation.
• Understand federal loan benefits: If you refinance your federal student loans into private loans, you’ll lose eligibility for federal benefits. Consider all of your options, and weigh the pros and cons before refinancing. In most cases, it’s better to consolidate your federal loans into one Direct Consolidation Loan.
• Compare student loan refinance lenders: Because each lender may offer you a different term length, discounts, or interest rate, it’s important to compare multiple lenders to see which can benefit you most.

Lender	Variable rates from (APR)	Fixed rates from (APR)
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	5.33%+	4.9%+
Fixed APR: 4.9%+ Variable APR: 5.33%+ Min. credit score: 720 Loan amount: $10,000 to $400,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Military deferment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must have a credit score of at least 720, a minimum income of $60,000, and must be a resident of Texas Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: 720 Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Firstmark Services Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 - $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $200,000 - $400,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Does not disclose
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	7.29%+1	7.0%+1
Fixed APR: 7.0%+1 Variable APR: 7.29%+1 Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $10,000 to $750,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Immediate repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay, loyalty Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have at least $10,000 in student loans Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 24 to 36 months Loan servicer: Firstmark Services Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 to $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: Less than $150,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	6.99%+2	6.99%+2
Fixed APR: 6.99%+2 Variable APR: 6.99%+2 Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $5,000 to $300,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 Repayment options: Military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: All states except for ME Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 24 to 36 months Loan servicer: College Ave Servicing LLC Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 to $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: Less than $300,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	8.05%+5	6.0%+5
Fixed APR: 6.0%+5 Variable APR: 8.05%+5 Min. credit score: 700 Loan amount: $7,500 to $200,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and submit two personal references Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 24 months Loan servicer: Firstmark Services Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $150,000 to $249,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $150,000 to $199,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing : Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	5.28%+3	5.48%+3
Fixed APR: 5.48%+3 Variable APR: 5.28%+3 Min. credit score: 680 Loan amount: $10,000 to $250,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Forbearance Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have at least $15,000 in student loan debt, and have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an approved school Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Mohela Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $250,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $250,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	8.4%+4	5.9%+4
Fixed APR: 5.9%+4 Variable APR: 8.4%+4 Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $5,000 to $250,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance Fees: Late fee, returned payment fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: Yes Max undergraduate loan balance: $250,000 Max graduate loan balance: $250,000 Offers Parent PLUS refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	5.52%+	5.24%+
Fixed APR: 5.24%+ Variable APR: 5.52%+ Min. credit score: 700 Loan amount: $5,000 to $300,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15 Max. undergraduate Loan Balance: $125,000 Time to Fund: 10 to 30 days Repayment options: Immediate repayment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have already graduated with at least an associate degree from an eligible institution Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 12 months Loan servicer: LendKey Technologies Inc. Max. graduate Loan Balance: $175,000 Credible Review: LendKey Student Loans review Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: No
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	N/A	6.2%+
Fixed APR: 6.2%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $10,000 up to the total amount Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15 Repayment options: Military deferment, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have at least $10,000 in student loans Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: AES Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: No maximum Max. Gradaute Loan Balance: No maximum Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	7.12%+ - 11.19%+8	7.610%+ - 14.510%+8
Fixed APR: 7.12%+ - 11.19%+8 Variable APR: 7.610%+ - 14.510%+8 Min. credit score: Mid-to-high 600's FICO8 Loan amount: $5,000 to $500,000 (depending on degree) Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25 years8 Time to fund: 3 business days Repayment options: Immediate Fees: Late fee, NSF fee Discounts: Autopay8 Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency status with a valid U.S. Social Security number Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes8 Cosigner release: After 24 months8 Loan servicer: Firstmark Services Max. undergraduate loan balance: $125,000 Max. graduate loan balance: $500,000 Offers Parent PLUS loans: Yes Min. income: You or your cosigner must meet Nelnet Bank's income criteria
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	N/A	5.79%+
Fixed APR: 5.79%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: 680 Loan amount: $7,500 to $250,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15 Repayment options: Academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Available in all 50 states; must also have at least $7,500 in student loans and a minimum income of $40,000 Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Does not disclose Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Rhode Island Student Loan Authority Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $150,000 - $249,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $200,000 - $249,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
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All APRs reflect autopay and loyalty discounts where available | 1Citizens Disclosures | 2College Ave Disclosures | 5EDvestinU Disclosures | 3 ELFI Disclosures | 4INvestEd Disclosures | 7ISL Education Lending Disclosures  | 8Nelnet Bank Disclosures

Prequalified rates disclosure: Prequalified rates are based on the information you provide and a soft credit inquiry. Receiving prequalified rates does not guarantee that the Lender will extend you an offer of credit. You are not yet approved for a loan or a specific rate. All credit decisions, including loan approval, if any, are determined by Lenders, in their sole discretion. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Rates from Lenders may differ from prequalified rates due to factors which may include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in your personal credit circumstances; (ii) additional information in your hard credit pull and/or additional information you provide (or are unable to provide) to the Lender during the underwriting process; and/or (iii) changes in APRs (e.g., an increase in the rate index between the time of prequalification and the time of application or loan closing. (Or, if the loan option is a variable rate loan, then the interest rate index used to set the APR is subject to increases or decreases at any time). Lenders reserve the right to change or withdraw the prequalified rates at any time.

About the author

Nick Dauk

Nick Dauk is a Credible authority on personal finance. His work has been featured in Business Insider, The Edge, Bisnow, The Telegraph, BBC, and Culture Trip.

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