Student Debt is Coming Back to Bite American Credit

Americans who’ve fallen behind on student loan payments in the post-pandemic years will soon see their delinquency reflected in their credit scores.

Why it matters: This affects access to credit, crucial amid inflation and a cooling labor market.

• Repayment on many student loans resumed in October 2023 after a pandemic-era reprieve.

• The White House extended a moratorium last year, preventing missed payments from appearing on credit reports. That safeguard ends next month.

The big picture: A large share of student debtors, about 10 million borrowers, were behind on payments in late January.

• Those most affected are likely to be women, Black and Hispanic Americans, and adults in their 30s and 40s.