Yes — student loans can affect your ability to qualify for a mortgage.

Even if your student loans are in deferment or forbearance, most mortgage programs still require a monthly payment to be counted in your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

At North Star Mortgage Network Inc., we follow the official guidelines set by FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, which may require lenders to:

• Use the actual documented payment, or
• Apply a calculated payment when no payment is reported on your credit

The impact depends on:

• Your loan type
• Current repayment status
• Credit report details
• Overall income and debt profile

The good news: student loans don’t automatically disqualify you. With the right loan program and proper structuring, many borrowers still qualify—often with better terms than expected.

If you have student loans and want to know how they’ll be treated in your specific scenario, we’re happy to review it upfront and give you clear answers before you apply.