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Following the Resumption of Federal Collection Activities in May, Nearly One in Three Federal Student Loan Borrowers Find Themselves at Risk for Default

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TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) has released concerning data about federal student loan delinquencies following the resumption of federal collection activities. As of April 2025, 31.0% of federal student loan borrowers are 90+ days past due, nearly triple the 11.7% rate from February 2020.

Of the 5.8 million delinquent borrowers, approximately 1.8 million could default by July 2025, with an additional 3 million facing default by September. Delinquent borrowers have experienced an average credit score drop of 60 points, with over 20% of affected borrowers previously holding prime or above credit ratings.

The slight increase from March (30.6%) to April (31.0%) suggests delinquency rates may be approaching their peak.

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) ha pubblicato dati preoccupanti riguardo ai ritardi nei pagamenti dei prestiti studenteschi federali dopo la ripresa delle attività di riscossione federale. Ad aprile 2025, il 31,0% dei mutuatari di prestiti studenteschi federali è in ritardo di oltre 90 giorni, quasi triplicando il tasso dell'11,7% registrato a febbraio 2020.

Tra i 5,8 milioni di mutuatari in ritardo, circa 1,8 milioni potrebbero andare in default entro luglio 2025, con altri 3 milioni a rischio di default entro settembre. I mutuatari in ritardo hanno subito una media di 60 punti di calo nel punteggio di credito, con oltre il 20% di loro che in precedenza aveva un rating creditizio da prime o superiore.

Il lieve aumento dal 30,6% di marzo al 31,0% di aprile suggerisce che i tassi di ritardo potrebbero essere prossimi al loro picco.

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) ha publicado datos preocupantes sobre la morosidad en préstamos estudiantiles federales tras la reanudación de las actividades de cobro federales. En abril de 2025, el 31,0% de los prestatarios de préstamos estudiantiles federales tienen más de 90 días de atraso, casi triplicando la tasa del 11,7% de febrero de 2020.

De los 5,8 millones de prestatarios morosos, aproximadamente 1,8 millones podrían caer en incumplimiento para julio de 2025, y otros 3 millones enfrentan incumplimiento para septiembre. Los prestatarios morosos han experimentado una caída promedio de 60 puntos en su puntaje crediticio, con más del 20% de ellos que anteriormente tenían calificaciones crediticias prime o superiores.

El ligero aumento del 30,6% en marzo al 31,0% en abril sugiere que las tasas de morosidad podrían estar acercándose a su punto máximo.

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU)는 연방 징수 활동 재개 이후 연방 학자금 대출 연체에 관한 우려스러운 데이터를 발표했습니다. 2025년 4월 기준으로 연방 학자금 대출 차입자의 31.0%가 90일 이상 연체 상태로, 2020년 2월의 11.7%에 비해 거의 세 배에 달합니다.

580만 명의 연체 차입자 중 약 180만 명이 2025년 7월까지 채무불이행에 이를 수 있으며, 추가로 300만 명이 9월까지 채무불이행 위험에 처해 있습니다. 연체 차입자들은 평균 신용 점수가 60점 하락했으며, 영향받은 차입자의 20% 이상이 이전에 프라임 등급 이상의 신용 등급을 보유하고 있었습니다.

3월 30.6%에서 4월 31.0%로의 소폭 상승은 연체율이 정점에 가까워지고 있음을 시사합니다.

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) a publié des données préoccupantes concernant les retards de paiement des prêts étudiants fédéraux suite à la reprise des activités de recouvrement fédérales. En avril 2025, 31,0 % des emprunteurs de prêts étudiants fédéraux sont en retard de plus de 90 jours, soit près du triple du taux de 11,7 % enregistré en février 2020.

Sur les 5,8 millions d'emprunteurs en retard, environ 1,8 million pourraient faire défaut d'ici juillet 2025, avec 3 millions supplémentaires risquant le défaut d'ici septembre. Les emprunteurs en retard ont vu leur score de crédit chuter en moyenne de 60 points, plus de 20 % d'entre eux ayant auparavant un score prime ou supérieur.

La légère augmentation de 30,6 % en mars à 31,0 % en avril suggère que les taux de retard pourraient approcher leur pic.

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) hat besorgniserregende Daten zu bundesstaatlichen Studienkreditrückständen nach der Wiederaufnahme der bundesstaatlichen Inkassotätigkeiten veröffentlicht. Im April 2025 sind 31,0% der Bundesstudienkreditnehmer mehr als 90 Tage im Rückstand, fast dreimal so viele wie die 11,7% im Februar 2020.

Von den 5,8 Millionen säumigen Kreditnehmern könnten etwa 1,8 Millionen bis Juli 2025 in Zahlungsverzug geraten, weitere 3 Millionen drohen bis September einen Zahlungsausfall. Säumige Kreditnehmer haben im Durchschnitt einen Rückgang ihres Kredit-Scores um 60 Punkte erlebt, wobei über 20% der betroffenen Kreditnehmer zuvor eine Prime- oder höhere Bonität hatten.

Der leichte Anstieg von 30,6% im März auf 31,0% im April deutet darauf hin, dass die Rückstandsquoten ihren Höhepunkt erreichen könnten.

Positive
  • Delinquency rate growth showing signs of stabilization with only 0.4% increase from March to April 2025
  • Company providing valuable data insights for lenders through TruVision Premium Student Loan Attributes
Negative
  • Record-high federal student loan delinquency rate of 31.0%
  • 5.8 million borrowers at risk of default
  • Significant credit score impact with average 60-point drop for delinquent borrowers

Insights

TransUnion reports record student loan delinquencies creating both default risks and business opportunities for their credit monitoring services.

TransUnion's latest analysis reveals a concerning trend in federal student loan delinquencies, with 31.0% of borrowers now 90+ days past due as of April 2025. This represents a dramatic increase from 20.5% in February 2025 and nearly triple the pre-pandemic rate of 11.7%.

The data points to an imminent default crisis, with approximately 1.8 million borrowers potentially defaulting in July 2025 alone, followed by another 3 million by September 2025. This represents a significant segment of the 5.8 million total delinquent borrowers identified in TransUnion's credit database.

What's particularly notable is the broad impact across credit tiers. Over 20% of borrowers now delinquent were previously in prime or above credit categories. After delinquency, fewer than 2% maintained prime status, with most dropping multiple credit tiers and experiencing an average 60-point VantageScore decline.

For TransUnion, this situation creates a dual business impact. While rising defaults could increase economic uncertainty, they simultaneously demonstrate the value of TransUnion's credit monitoring and risk assessment services. The company is actively promoting solutions like TruVision Premium Student Loan Attributes to help lenders identify at-risk consumers and manage portfolio risk.

The modest month-over-month increase between March (30.6%) and April 2025 (31.0%) suggests delinquency rates may be nearing their peak, offering a potential stabilizing factor. However, the unprecedented scale of potential defaults represents a significant economic event that could impact consumer spending patterns, credit availability, and financial institution risk profiles in the coming quarters.

New TransUnion analysis finds record number of borrowers 90 or more days past due, with many only weeks away from potentially defaulting

CHICAGO, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Less than two months since the U.S. Department of Education resumed collections activities among defaulted federal student loan borrowers, new research from TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) reveals that the number of consumers delinquent on student loans and at risk for entering default continues to climb. The analysis will be featured in a new TransUnion webinar titled Market Update: Student Loan Repayment Impacts on June 26th.

The updated analysis found that as of April 2025, the latest month for which data are available, 31.0% of federal student loan borrowers with a payment due are 90 days or more past due (90+ DPD) as reported by their servicer.1 This represents a sharp increase over the February 2025 figure of 20.5% reported as part of a previous TransUnion analysis in early May. It also stands at nearly triple the 11.7% figure from February 2020, just prior to the start of the pandemic. In addition, borrowers who have been newly reported as delinquent on their student loans have seen significant drops in their credit scores as a result, by an average of 60 points (based on VantageScore® 4.0).

The April 2025 rate of 90+ DPD delinquency represents the highest figure ever recorded. However, it does represent only a modest increase over March 2025’s 30.6% rate, which may indicate that more student loan borrowers are becoming aware of the importance of maintaining on-time payments.

The Percentage of Federal Student Loan Borrowers Reported as 90+ Days Past Due (90+ DPD) Has Increased an Additional 50% since February 2025

 February 2020February 2025March 2025April 2025
Total11.7%20.5%30.6%31.0%

Source: TransUnion U.S. Consumer Credit Database

“We continue to see more and more federal student loan borrowers being reported as the 90+ days delinquent, making a larger number of consumers vulnerable to entering default and the start of collections activities,” said Michele Raneri, vice president and head of U.S. research and consulting at TransUnion. “That said, based on the relatively small increase between March 2025 and April 2025, it is possible that the figures are close to peaking. We will continue to analyze data in the weeks and months to come to see if that bears out.”

Millions of Delinquent Borrowers May Be Mere Weeks From Defaulting

The 31.0% delinquency figure in April 2025 is largely made up of borrowers who are not yet in default, with only 0.3% of borrowers already in that status. The total is made up of an estimated 5.8 million federal student loan borrowers who have been reported to TransUnion and other credit bureaus as 90+ days past due.

Approximately 180 days following the loan’s first 90+ DPD delinquency reporting, at 270 days past due, the borrower enters default status, where the borrower is subject to collection actions by the U.S. Department of Education. Of the 5.8 million newly delinquent borrowers, it is estimated that nearly one-third, approximately 1.8 million, could reach default status in July 2025. An additional one million of the 5.8 million total are estimated to reach default status in August 2025, followed by two million more in September 2025.

Raneri added that federal student loan borrowers who are at risk should contact their loan servicers as soon as possible to inquire about potential options that may exist to avoid defaulting. “Options may include income-driven repayment or other payment plans specific to their situation. There are also loan rehabilitation programs that may allow those who do default to get out of default status.”

The analysis also found that more than one in five federal student loan borrowers currently reported as 90+ DPD were in prime or above credit risk tiers prior to going delinquent. Following delinquency, fewer than one in 50 were prime and above. In fact, nearly every borrower not already subprime who ultimately fell 90+ DPD on their federal student loans shifted down at least one risk tier, with many, particularly those who were previously in the lowest risk super prime range, falling two or more tiers.

“This underscores the fact that student loan borrowers of any credit risk tier can find themselves falling behind in their payments and at risk for default, even during a time in which we’ve seen most consumers are managing their debt relatively well,” said Joshua Turnbull, senior vice president and head of consumer lending at TransUnion. “It’s important that lenders stay abreast of the true risk of the borrowers in their portfolio through the implementation of student loan-specific insights into regular portfolio reviews.”

To gain additional insights into how student loans are impacting the wallets of their potential customers, lenders can leverage TruVision Premium Student Loan Attributes to see details about student loan types, balances, and payment histories to help identify impacted consumers. To learn more about the upcoming June 26th webinar, Market Update: Student Loan Repayment Impacts, click here.

1 The source for data within this press release is the TransUnion U.S. Consumer Credit Database.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)
TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world. http://www.transunion.com/business

ContactDave Blumberg
 TransUnion
  
E-maildavid.blumberg@transunion.com
  
Telephone312-972-6646

FAQ

What is the current federal student loan delinquency rate according to TransUnion (TRU)?

According to TransUnion's April 2025 data, 31.0% of federal student loan borrowers with a payment due are 90 or more days past due, representing the highest figure ever recorded.

How many borrowers could default on their federal student loans by September 2025?

Approximately 4.8 million borrowers could default by September 2025, with 1.8 million potentially defaulting in July, 1 million in August, and 2 million in September.

What is the impact of student loan delinquency on borrowers' credit scores?

Borrowers newly reported as delinquent have experienced an average drop of 60 points in their credit scores (based on VantageScore 4.0), with nearly all non-subprime borrowers dropping at least one risk tier.

How does the April 2025 delinquency rate compare to pre-pandemic levels?

The April 2025 delinquency rate of 31.0% is nearly triple the pre-pandemic rate of 11.7% recorded in February 2020.

What options are available for borrowers at risk of default according to TransUnion?

Borrowers at risk should contact their loan servicers to explore options including income-driven repayment plans, specific payment plans, and loan rehabilitation programs for those who default.
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