With debt settlement, trying to increase my score

Since your major part of the debt is in student loans, you may call the lender and get some arrangements done. They will put you in forbearance through which you can pay at lower interest rates. Give them a call and try to set up your payment plan.

For the rest $2000, I will suggest you to consolidate instead of settling it. Consolidation will have a better impact on your credit in comparison to settlement. You will want your creditors to update your accounts as "Paid in Full" or "Paid as Agreed". An account shown as "Settled" does not look good because the future lenders will think that you were unable to pay in full to your previous lenders and might consider you as a risk to their finance. With settlement, you will see fewer points to your credit scores than consolidation. If you can pay on your own, it's the best thing for your credit ratings.

I am in debt settlement company and the way they
explained it to me was that you are allowed to keep
one card open while in the program, the reason is to
charge on it and pay it off monthly once the program
is completed. They mean charge all your monthly
goods on it and pay it off monthly. This will
quickly better your credit score again and you will
be on the road to recovery.

I just hope that I make it that far to see the end
of our program. :?