 TITLE: What to Expect If You Default on a Student Loan CONTENT: When Do Student Loans Default?\n------------------------------\nMost federal student loans, including direct loans and Federal Family Education Loans, enter default status after 270 days, or nine months, of nonpayment. These loans are considered delinquent, however, as soon as you fall behind. A record of your missed payments first appears on your credit report—and starts affecting your credit score—after 90 days.\nSome loans enter default status even earlier. Federal Perkins loans can go into default after a single unpaid bill. Private student loans also can go into default as soon as you miss a payment. Check your loan agreement to see at what point after nonpayment your loans default. END