Why 90 days late is the difference between buying a home and being denied.

For many potential homebuyers, this is the single hidden factor that can derail their mortgage approval without warning.”

Student loan repayments have resumed — and millions of Americans are at risk.

There are more than 42 million student loan borrowers in the U.S. Right now, only about 10 million are current. That leaves over 30 million at risk of delinquency. For potential homebuyers, that’s a huge problem.

Why 90 Days Late Is Different

Federal student loan servicers typically don’t report late payments until you’re 90 days past due. That may sound like extra breathing room, but it’s actually a trap.

• Once a 90-day delinquency hits, your credit score can fall 100 to 150 points overnight.
• FHA, VA, USDA, and Reverse Mortgage programs automatically deny borrowers with delinquent federal debt.
• Automated underwriting treats a recent 90-day late as high-risk, often leading to denials or much higher rates.
• Recovery can take up to a year.

If servicers reported at 30 or 60 days, the warning would appear earlier. Borrowers could adjust, set up repayment plans, or consolidate before the serious delinquency hit. But by waiting until 90 days, the damage is sudden and severe.

Why This Matters

With 32 million borrowers at risk, this isn’t just a personal finance issue — it’s a housing market concern. Millions of buyers may suddenly be ineligible, millions of sellers with less qualified buyers, and millions of existing homeowners could lose refinancing options.

What Borrowers Should Do

1. Log in to your student loan servicer’s portal. Confirm your repayment date and amount.
2. Set up autopay or payment reminders.
3. If you’re unsure, use resources like myresolvent.com or clients2homeowners.com/DIY-student-loan-help for repayment strategies and guidance.

What Realtors Should Do

Ask every client: Do you have student loans, and are you current? Addressing this early prevents last-minute heartbreak, protects your client, and protects their closings.

Bottom line: Going 90 days late on student loans doesn’t just hurt credit — it can instantly block access to the most common mortgage programs and greatly affect your borrowing power across the board.