In this article
- How Do Student Loans Affect Getting a Mortgage?
- What Mortgage Programs Work Best if You Have Student Loan Debt?
- Can You Get Pre-Approved with Student Loans?
- What Strategies Help You Qualify for More House with Student Loans?
- Why Work with the Moreira Team?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Home with Student Loan Debt
- Next Steps with Moreira Team
Short answer: Absolutely. You can qualify for a mortgage while carrying those student loans—and the Moreira Team helps buyers in Georgia and beyond make it happen every single day. The real secret? Understanding how lenders crunch the numbers on your student debt, picking the loan program that fits like a glove, and getting your finances lined up just right.
How Do Student Loans Affect Getting a Mortgage?
Here’s the thing—lenders don’t just toss your application in the trash because you’ve got student debt hanging around your neck. Instead, they’re looking at the bigger picture:
- Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Your monthly debts (yes, including those student loans) stacked up against what you’re bringing home. Most programs are comfortable with around 43–45%.
- Credit Score: You’ll typically want to see 620 or better, though FHA loans will work with folks who have lower scores.
- Employment & Income Stability: A steady paycheck goes a long way toward balancing out the weight of those student loans.
The Moreira Team runs these numbers for you right up front so you know exactly where those student loans leave your buying power.
See how much you can afford. Start Here! (Sep 16th, 2025)What Mortgage Programs Work Best if You Have Student Loan Debt?
| Loan Type | How It Treats Student Loans | Why Moreira Team Might Recommend It |
|---|---|---|
| FHA Loan | Uses 0.5% of loan balance if no payment reported | Great for first-time buyers with lower credit scores |
| Conventional Loan | Can use your actual IDR payment if reported | Helps buyers with lower monthly student loan payments qualify for more home |
| VA Loan | May exclude loans deferred for 12+ months | Ideal for veterans—zero down, no PMI |
| USDA Loan | Similar to FHA, counts 0.5% of balance | Zero down in qualifying rural areas |
The Moreira Team specializes in helping borrowers match their student loan profile to the best program.
Can You Get Pre-Approved with Student Loans?
You bet. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is one of the smartest moves you can make right out of the gate. When you come to the Moreira Team:
- We pull your credit and get the real story on those student loan payments.
- We run automated underwriting through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, and VA systems—the whole nine yards.
- We show you exactly how much house you can afford today—not some pie-in-the-sky number after your loans vanish into thin air.
What Strategies Help You Qualify for More House with Student Loans?
- Knock Down Revolving Debt First: Paying down those credit cards packs a bigger punch on your DTI than throwing extra money at student loan payments.
- Consider Refinancing Student Loans: A smaller monthly obligation can open doors for mortgage approval (though you’ll want to weigh losing those federal protections).
- Save for Down Payment & Reserves: Even with those sweet 3–5% down options out there, having cash reserves makes your whole profile shine brighter.
- Work with a Local Expert: The Moreira Team knows the Georgia and Atlanta markets like the back of our hand, giving you both smart loan strategy and real local insights.
Why Work with the Moreira Team?
- We’re an Atlanta-based mortgage broker with direct access to multiple loan programs—no middleman nonsense.
- We provide side-by-side scenarios showing you exactly how different student loan calculations impact your approval chances.
- We offer tools and calculators to model what you can really afford—no guesswork.
- We’ve helped thousands of buyers—including plenty dealing with student loan debt—turn those house-hunting dreams into reality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Home with Student Loan Debt
Q: Can I buy a house if I still owe student loans?
Absolutely. Having student loans hanging around your neck doesn’t slam the door on getting a mortgage. Lenders are looking at your overall debt-to-income ratio, credit score, and whether you’ve got steady income coming in. The Moreira Team helps clients with student loans get approved every single day—it’s what we do.
Q: Do student loans count in my debt-to-income ratio (DTI)?
They sure do. Lenders fold those student loans right into your DTI calculation. For instance, FHA uses 0.5% of your loan balance if there’s no payment showing up on your credit report, while Conventional loans might use your actual income-driven repayment amount—whatever that monthly number really is.
Q: Will student loans hurt my credit when applying for a mortgage?
Not if you’re keeping up with those payments like clockwork. Truth is, student loans can actually help build up your credit history, which is something mortgage lenders really care about when they’re sizing you up.
Q: Which loan programs are best if I have student loan debt?
Well, that depends on your particular situation: FHA loans are fantastic if your credit score needs some work, Conventional loans shine when you’ve got a low IDR payment working in your favor, VA loans offer sweet deals for our veterans, and USDA loans put zero down on the table in qualifying areas. The Moreira Team will compare every option available to you.
Q: Do I need to pay off student loans before getting a mortgage?
Not on your life. You don’t need to be completely debt-free to buy a home—that’s just not how the real world works. Most first-time buyers we work with are still carrying student loans around. What really matters is keeping that debt-to-income ratio in a comfortable range.
Q: Can student loans be ignored if they’re in deferment or forbearance?
That’s where things get interesting—it depends on which loan program you’re working with. VA loans might let you slide if they’ve been deferred for 12+ months, but FHA and Conventional loans typically require lenders to count at least some portion of that balance.
Next Steps with Moreira Team
- Run the Numbers: Jump over to our mortgage calculators and see where you stand.
- Get Pre-Approved: Find out exactly how those student loans affect your eligibility in today’s market by getting a mortgage pre-approval.
- Talk to an Advisor: Our team will walk you through FHA, Conventional, VA, or USDA loan options—whatever makes sense for your situation. Just schedule an time to talk!
Buying a home with student loan debt? It’s absolutely possible. The Moreira Team shows you exactly how to make it happen.