 TITLE: Student Loan Debt Reaches Record High as Most Repayment Is Paused CONTENT: Average FICO® Score Among Student Loan Borrowers Increased\n----------------------------------------------------------\nThe average FICO® Score among consumers with a student loan account increased by seven points since 2019, according to Experian data. This improvement is in line with the national average, which also grew by seven points in the past year.\nSource: Experian\nIt's difficult to estimate what degree of influence—if any—the pandemic's student loan repayment pause has had on borrowers' credit scores. What is clear from the data, however, is that the pause in repayment—and the wide adoption of this non-payment option—has not (yet, at least) had a negative impact on consumer credit scores. This is a positive sign that student loan relief has been successful in protecting consumer finances during the economic downturn. END