Should I Repay College Debt

Answer 1

Many students accumulate a large amount of debt while they are in college. Unfortunately, students do not always have the financial means to repay their debt. However, whether you have unpaid loans, credit cards, medical bills, or other types of debt, you are still responsible for that debt. Read on to learn the consequences of not repaying your college debt in a timely manner.

Do I really need to pay off my college debt?

Yes, you should definitely try to repay any debt you accumulated while you were in college. Even if you graduated from college two or three years ago, the unpaid debt will continue to appear on your credit file until the credit bureaus are obligated to remove the negative information. Keep in mind when you accumulate debt, it is your debt and you are obligated to repay that debt according to the terms and conditions outlined in the contract you signed.

What happens if I am unable to repay my debt?

If you do not repay your debt, the creditor can report your past due account to the major credit bureaus, and the information will appear on your credit file. And as a result, you may have problems obtaining credit in the future from other companies. In addition, if you fail to repay your debt, the creditor may sue you for the unpaid balance, or send your account to a collection agency. Therefore, it is extremely important to repay your debt in a timely manner.

Will employers review my credit file when I apply for jobs?

When you apply for a job, the employer may or may not review your credit report. For instance, if you apply for a position in the credit or banking industry, it is very possible the employer will review your credit report. So, if you have past due accounts (or collection accounts) listed on your credit file, that particular employer may not hire you.

How do I actually pay off my debt?

First of all, you need to make a list of all of your unpaid debt. Your list should include the name of each creditor along with their contact details, the amount of the outstanding debt, and the amount of payments (if any) that you made on your account. You should also try to locate a copy of the contract that you signed for each debt. If you are unable to recall all of your debt, you can review your credit report to help you with that task. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report by contacting AnnualCreditReport.com. Be sure to request a copy of your credit report from all three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.

Next, you should contact each creditor or collection agency to discuss your payment options. The creditor or agency may allow you to set-up a reasonable payment arrangement on your account. Likewise, they may also make you a settlement offer for a lot less than what you actually owe.

Lastly, request a confirmation letter from the creditor or collection agency before you submit any payments to them. Keep the letter in a safe place, just in case you need to refer to it in the future.

As you can see, it is definitely important to repay your college debt. If you are unable to repay your debt in a timely manner, contact the creditor as soon as possible to make a payment arrangement. You should make every effort to maintain a positive credit history. If you borrow money or acquire credit, then it is up to you to repay that debt.