Default vs. Delinquency: Timeline & Consequences

The Delinquency Timeline

The moment you miss a due date by a single day, your loan becomes delinquent. However, federal loan servicers do not report this delinquency to the three major credit bureaus until you are 90 days past due.

At 90 days, your credit score will take a massive, immediate hit. This late payment will remain on your credit report for seven years.

Hitting Default

If you reach 270 days past due (roughly nine months of non-payment), your federal student loan officially enters Default status. At this point, the loan is accelerated. The entire balance (plus collection fees up to 25%) becomes immediately due.

Once in default, the government exercises extraordinary collection powers. They do not need a court order to garnish 15% of your paycheck, seize your federal tax refunds, or withhold portions of your Social Security benefits. Avoid default at all costs by filing for a general forbearance or switching to an IDR plan.