<prompt> Human: I have a student loan that went to collections and is at 3400. They told me I could settle for 1700. Trying to build up my credit score 655 and history. Is it worth it to just settle for the lowest amount, or will it look better for people looking at my credit in the next 5 years to just pay it in full?  <response>: See what others say but my thinking is that the damage is done so might as well settle and put that saved money toward making sure this never happens again. 