How do lenders count student loan debt in 2026?

Student loan debt counts against a borrower's debt-to-income ratio the same way any other monthly obligation does, using either the actual payment on the loan or a lender-calculated minimum payment when the loan sits on an income-driven repayment plan. Conventional and government loan programs each have their own rule for which payment figure to use when the borrower is not currently required to pay, such as during deferment. That difference can meaningfully change how much home a buyer qualifies for, so it is worth asking a lender to run both scenarios. Brian Beatty can refer a buyer to a lender who will walk through that calculation before house hunting begins.