 TITLE: Does Unpaid Tuition Affect Your Credit Score? CONTENT: How to Deal With Unpaid Tuition Already in Collections\n------------------------------------------------------\nWhat if your student account has already gone to collections? Learn more about how to deal with debt collectors and what to do when your account goes into collections: Many of the same principles and protections apply whether your account is a mortgage, credit card or tuition account. The bottom line is straightforward: Pay off the account as soon as possible.\nHere's helpful information to know when your account is in collections:\n*   Once your debt is in collections, be prepared to deal with the collection agency and not your school.\n*   Though you should respond to collection calls, you don't have to agree to anything over the phone. Ask to receive key information—an explanation of your debt or a repayment plan, for instance—in writing, and schedule a follow-up call if necessary to discuss next steps.\n*   By law, collection agents may not threaten or abuse you, and if you ask them in writing to stop contacting you, they must comply.\nA collection account stays on your credit report for seven years from the date of the original delinquency and will lower your credit score for as long as it's there.\nWhen you're having issues with unpaid tuition or even if you find a solution and get back on track, consider setting up free credit monitoring to keep track of your credit report and score. This is a good practice at any time, but it can be especially helpful if you're worried about an unpaid bill. You'll be notified if there's any activity in your credit file—and can feel reassured if there's no activity to report. END