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How to Get Student Loans for Past-Due Tuition

You can cover a past-due balance in a few possible ways, including federal and private student loans as well as other financial aid.

Taylor Medine Taylor Medine Edited by Ashley Cox Updated October 4, 2022

Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as "Credible."

Colleges typically give you a few weeks or months after the start of the semester to pay your tuition and other fees. However, it’s possible to fall behind and end up with a past-due balance — like if you’re facing a financial emergency or other unexpected circumstances.

If this happens, you might consider using student loans or other financial aid to cover your past-due balance.

Here’s what you should know about using student loans for past-due tuition:

  • How to pay off past-due tuition
  • What happens when your tuition is past due?

How to pay off past-due tuition

While having a past-due balance isn’t ideal, you have options that can help you get caught up on payments. Here are a few potential ways to get your account back in good standing:

1. Fill out the FAFSA to claim federal loans

If you need to cover college expenses (such as past-due tuition), your first step should be filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your school will use your FAFSA results to determine what federal, state, or institutional aid you’re eligible for.

For example, you might qualify for college grants, scholarships, or federal student loans — which you can use to cover your past-due balance as well as future education costs.

You can complete the FAFSA online by visiting StudentAid.gov. You’ll start by creating a FSA ID, which is your unique log-in information. If you’re completing the FAFSA as a dependent student, you’ll submit information for yourself and your parents. Visit the StudentAid.gov website for more information about dependency status.

Tip: Make sure to fill out the FAFSA before the deadline passes so you don’t miss out on any of the financial aid that you can get. For the 2022-2023 academic year, you have until June 30, 2023, to submit the FAFSA. Note that some states and schools have their own deadlines, too. You can double-check with your school’s financial aid office to see if there are any other deadlines you’ll need to meet.

Also keep in mind that the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the better — especially since some aid is given on a first-come, first-serve basis. For the upcoming 2023-24 academic year, you have until June 30, 2024 — so you still have plenty of time to apply and avoid past-due balances in the future.

Learn More: When You Should Apply for a Student Loan

2. Speak to your financial aid office about emergency loans

Some colleges have emergency student loans available if you’re facing a short-term crisis. If your account is past due and your expected financial aid hasn’t come through yet, talk to your financial aid office.

You might qualify for an emergency loan through the school that will pay off your balance and let you register for classes.

Tip: Make sure to keep in contact with your financial aid office instead of ignoring the problem of a past-due balance. They’re there to help you and might be able to connect you with resources specifically available to students in your situation.

In addition to assisting with emergency loan options, your school’s financial aid office can be a great resource to help you find opportunities for grants and scholarships you might qualify for, as well as work-study programs.

Find Out: How Student Loans Work

3. Use private student loans

A private student loan could also help you pay off a past-due balance if you’ve exhausted all your federal student aid. Private student loans typically have lower interest rates and longer repayment terms than personal loans, plus higher student loan limits.

Tip: Unlike federal loans that have strict deadlines, you can apply for private student loans at any time. However, keep in mind that even if you’re approved, it could take around three weeks from the time you submit your private loan application until you receive your funds — or up to two to three months if there are any delays.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to apply as far in advance as possible to give yourself plenty of time.

If you decide to take out a private student loan, be sure to consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for your situation.

Credible makes this easy — you can compare your prequalified rates from our partner lenders in the table below in two minutes.

LenderFixed Rates From (APR)
Variable Rates From (APR)Loan amountsLoan terms (years)


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
4.62%+10 5.74%+10 $2,001 to $400,0007 to 20
  • Fixed APR: 4.62%+10
  • Variable APR: 5.74%+10
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Loan amount: $2,001 to $400,000
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: 0.25% to 1.00% automatic payment discount, 1% cash back graduation reward
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or DACA student enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program
  • Customer service: Email, phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 12 on-time principal and interest payments
  • Loan servicer: Launch Servicing, LLC


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
4.99%+1 4.89%+ $1,000 to $350,000 (depending on degree)5, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 4.99%+1
  • Variable APR: 4.89%+
  • Min. credit score: 720
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $350,000
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15
  • Loan types: Any private or federal student loan
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay, loyalty
  • Eligibility: Available in all 50 states (international students can apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner)
  • Customer service: Email, phone, chat
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 36 months
  • Loan servicer: Firstmark Services


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
4.49%+2,3
4.49%+2,3 $1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance5, 8, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 4.49%+2,3
  • Variable APR: 4.49%+2,3
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Loan amount: $1,000 up to cost of attendance
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 8, 10, 15, 20
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Customer service: Email, phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 24 months
  • Loan servicer: College Ave Servicing LLC

custom choice

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
3.65%+ 5.46%+ $1,000 to $99,999 annually
($180,000 aggregate limit)
7, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 3.65%+
  • Variable APR: 5.46%+
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $99,999 annually ($180,000 aggregate limit)
  • Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, immediate repayment, interest-only repayment, flat/full repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Available to borrowers in all 50 states. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 36 months
  • Loan servicer: American Education Services
  • Min. income: Does not disclose

edvestinu student loan refinance

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
7.52%+7 6.89%+7 $1,000 to $200,0007, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 7.52%+7
  • Variable APR: 6.89%+7
  • Min. credit score: 750
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $200,000
  • Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum income of $30,000.
  • Customer service: Email, phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 36 months
  • Loan servicer: Granite State Management & Resources (GSM&R)


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
4.37%+8 5.86%+8 $1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance5, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 4.37%+8
  • Variable APR: 5.86%+8
  • Min. credit score: 670
  • Loan amount: $1,001 up to cost of attendance
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay, reward for on-time graduation
  • Eligibility: Must be an Indiana resident or a U.S. citizen attending an eligible Indiana school
  • Customer service: Email, phone, chat
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 48 months
  • Loan servicer: American Education Services


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
4.89%+ N/A$1,500 up to school’s certified cost of attendance less aid15
  • Fixed APR: 4.89%+
  • Variable APR: N/A
  • Min. credit score: 670
  • Loan amount: $1,500 up to cost of attendance less aid
  • Loan terms (years): 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferral, forbearance
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Customer service: Email, phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 48 months
  • Loan servicer: American Education Services (AES)


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
4.509 - 14.83%9 5.37%9 - 15.709 $1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance10 to 20
  • Fixed APR: 4.509 - 14.83%9
  • Variable APR: 5.37%9 - 15.709
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Loan amount: $1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance
  • Loan terms (years): 10 to 209
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: Late fee, non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Also available to non-U.S. citizen students (including DACA students) attending a school located in the U.S. who apply with a qualifying cosigner.
  • Customer service: Phone, chat
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: Borrowers can apply after graduation, 12 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments, and meeting certain credit requirements.
  • Loan servicer: Sallie Mae
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Learn More: How Long Does It Take to Get a Student Loan?

What happens when your tuition is past due?

If you don’t pay off your account by the due date, you risk some serious consequences that can affect your status as a student and your finances. These include the following:

  1. You might not be able to register for classes. If you don’t pay the past-due amount immediately, your current registration might be canceled. Plus, the school could prohibit you from registering for other classes.
  2. You can’t receive or view transcripts. Since your account is past due, you won’t be able to receive or view your transcripts. This makes it impossible to apply to other schools or graduate programs.
  3. You might end up with late fees. The school might charge you monthly late fees, which could add hundreds of dollars to your bill.
  4. The school could send your account to collections. If you don’t promptly pay the money you owe, your school could send your account to a collections agency. This could have a negative impact on your credit and damage your credit score, which will make it hard to qualify for other types of credit.
  5. You’ll be ineligible for financial aid. If your account is delinquent, you might become ineligible for current or future financial aid, including scholarships or grants.
  6. International students could lose their visas. To get a student visa as an international student, you have to be enrolled at a qualifying university. If your account is past due, your registration might be canceled, which can affect your enrollment status at the school. This might also affect being able to get a student loan for international students.

If your tuition balance is past-due, it’s possible to get help. For example, a private student loan from Credible can help you get the funds you need to get current on your tuition. If you decide to take out a loan, make sure to only borrow as much as you need.

Compare student loan rates from top lenders

  • Multiple lenders compete to get you the best rate
  • Get actual rates, not estimated ones
  • Finance almost any degree

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Keep reading: How to Go Back to School With Student Loans in Default

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When is my balance considered past due?

An unpaid balance will typically become past due once your school’s payment deadline has passed. Keep in mind that individual schools will have their own policies explaining when an account is considered past due, though.

For example, your school might designate your account as having a past-due balance if you have $100 or more in unpaid charges.

Here are a few scenarios where you’ll have a past-due balance on your student account:

  • You owe money on your student account for any semester prior to the current term.
  • You’re on a tuition payment plan for the current semester and miss a payment.
  • You have a balance for the current semester.

If you decide to take out a private student loan to cover a past-due balance, remember to consider as many lenders as you can to find the right loan for your needs.

This is easy with Credible — you can compare your prequalified rates from multiple lenders in two minutes.

Compare student loan rates from top lenders

  • Multiple lenders compete to get you the best rate
  • Get actual rates, not estimated ones
  • Finance almost any degree

See Your Rates
Checking rates will not affect your credit

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Kat Tretina contributed to the reporting for this article.

About the author
Taylor Medine
Taylor Medine

Taylor Medine is a Credible authority on personal finance. Her work has been featured on Bankrate, Experian, The Balance, Business Insider, Credit Karma, and more. She’s also the author of The 60-Minute Money Plan, a self-published intro to budgeting guide for people who hate budgeting.

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