Does Checking my Credit Score lower it?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hi!
I am 22 and I've had a credit card (2) since I was 19. I think I should have good credit since I don't really buy things I don't need and pay my bills off in full.</p>

<p>I need to apply for a stafford loan and private student loans but I think I should know my credit first.</p>

<p>Here's the catch: I want to check my credit score in order to know my interest rates for the loans, however if I check my score won't that be a hit to my credit record and I'll have lower credit going into the loan???</p>

<p>I also applied for another credit card just a week ago, so now i have 3. Does this mean that my credit will be temporarily lowered??</p>

2

<p>Yep. Your credit score takes a hit every time it is checked</p>

<p>Edit: This does not apply to you checking your own score through a bureau</p>

3

<p>No, it does’t affect it.</p>

4

<p>The answer is no. Requesting your credit score is a SOFT request, and has zero effect on your credit score. Asking for a credit card or loan requires a HARD request and DOES effect your credit.</p>

<p>Requesting one credit card won’t hurt you much, but if you’re requesting a bunch because you’re getting rejected by every company, it only gets harder for you each time.</p>

5

<p>^^^When you check your credit score online, it’s a “soft” pull as Matt125 said. This does not affect your credit score. What you want to avoid a lot of are “hard” pulls which include applying credit cards and other types of loans, along with some bank accounts (some only do soft pulls). IIRC, Stafford loans do not take into account one’s credit score, but private loans do. Lenders should be able to tell you witch type of pull they are doing and from which credit bureau(s).</p>