icon-contact icon-log-in icon-search menu icon Student loans Manage your private student loans Learn about credit Credit is a reflection of how well you’ve handled your finances in the past—your credit history. Building a good credit history can help you financially throughout your life. 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 get loan approval. 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 Your credit report is a detailed summary of your credit history that’s issued by consumer reporting agencies. Understand your credit report Understanding Credit Handbook A FICO® Score is an overall indicator of your credit health. If you have a loan with us, you may be able to log in to see your Score. Understand your FICO® Score Related topics Learn about interest and capitalization Understand what student loan interest and interest capitalization are and how they can affect your Total Loan Cost. How we allocate and apply your student loan payments Learn how Sallie Mae allocates and applies your student loan payments. Find out how your payments help pay down various portions of your loan. Understand student loan payments Learn how your student loan payments are calculated. Get information about how much you're paying for your student loans and why. Home Student loans Manage your private student loans Learn about credit About us Careers For investors Media Blog Leading research Contests Cosigner responsibilities Partner resources Military resources Contact us FAQs Sitemap Terms of use Protect your privacy Avoid online fraud Beware of debt relief offers Social media guidelines Do not sell my personal information © 2021 Sallie Mae Bank. All rights reserved. Sallie Mae, the Sallie Mae logo, and other Sallie Mae names and logos are service marks or registered service marks of Sallie Mae Bank. All other names and logos used are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.