BeatTheGib asked:


Basically my question is this: In a lenders eyes and for credit reporting/scoring purposes, are all loans viewed equally? Other than the commonly lower interest rates on student loans, is there any reason more attention should be given to credit cards and other loans when constructing a debt-reduction program? What are the pros and cons?
Some people seem to missing the point of my question (Hope). My credit is fine though I do have student loans for my undergrad and graduate education. I pay ALL of my bills ON TIME. I know lenders look at a debt-to-available credit ratio. I also know this is a variable in the formula they use to calculate your credit score. Because often times student loans are a necessary evil whereas credit cards aren’t, is there any difference in how their viewed for those purposes.

The Drake asked:


I owe about 35,000 in stafford student loans (17,500 subsidized and 17,500 unsubsidized and want to lower the interest rate. Right now it is at 6%. I’m still in school but at the current rate I am being charged about 3.00 a day interest on the loans that the the government isnt paying the interest on. I’ve heard of consolidating but I don’t really know how it works or where I should go to begin or even if I can consolidate since I’m still in school. Help!

JJ asked:


What affect do student loans have on a credit score in any case? Whether they are new and not yet due or have been defferred for a while? Does having student loans go against your credit even if they are not due yet?