 TITLE: Do Student Loans Help Build Credit? CONTENT: Managing Student Loan Payments\n------------------------------\nOne of the most direct ways a student loan could wind up hurting your credit is if you miss a payment. However, when money is tight, your rent, groceries, utilities and other bills may take priority.\nFortunately, there are federal student loan repayment plans and programs that may be able to lower or temporarily pause your monthly payments. In some cases, your monthly payment may drop to $0 a month, which will still count as an on-time payment in your credit history. Some private student lenders may offer similar forms of assistance.\nWhen you can make your student loan payments without worry, keep at it or even consider refinancing to save money on interest. But if you're having trouble, research your options on StudentAid.gov and by contacting your loan servicer.\nIf you can make all your student loan payments on time and pay it off on schedule, it could go a long way to help your credit—and your financial future. END