Article updated 7/11/20 to include the latest interest rate and new customer bonus information. Two of the top names in student loan refinancing are SoFi and CommonBond. Both lenders fall firmly into the fin-tech category of lenders. Borrowers should expect a quick and easy process compared to working with a …
Student Loan Consolidation and Refinancing: Is it Good or Bad for my Credit Score?
Many student loan borrowers can improve their credit score by consolidating or refinancing their student loans. Unfortunately, not all borrowers see an increase. Some borrowers may see their score drop by consolidating or refinancing. Though federal direct consolidation and private student loan refinancing are very different processes, the impact on …
10 Tips for Dealing with Your Lender Over the Phone
Phone calls with lenders can be especially stressful. For many borrowers, student loans are by far their biggest debt. Student loan companies, including federal student loans servicers like Navient and MyFedLoan have a well deserved reputation for lousy service. This combination of financial pain and terrible customer service can be …
Mailbag: Should I Switch Federal Repayment Plans?
Making the decision on whether or not to refinance your student loans can be very challenging. On one hand you have the low interest rates offered by the refinance companies, but you are forced to give up federal perks. One of our readers, Brad, is currently facing this dilemma. He …
Sherpa Tip: Ask for Lower Payments Even If You Don’t Need Them
For those attempting to aggressively eliminate their student loans, asking for lower payments may seem like a step in the wrong direction. However, getting lower payments has a huge advantage… flexibility. That flexibility can be used to eliminate high interest debt and lead to student loan freedom sooner rather than …
Ignoring Your Student Loan Debt Is An Expensive Mistake
Even if you don’t have a job or can’t afford your student loan payments, there are many steps that can be taken to make your debt more manageable. The Student Debt Trap Falling into the trap of ignoring your student loans is easy. You figure you can’t make a payment …
Mailbag: Bonus Income and IBR Payments
Today’s mailbag question comes from Randy who received a great bonus last year from his employer, but is concerned that last years tax return doesn’t reflect his ability to pay. He fears his Income-Based Repayment calculation will leave him with payments he cannot afford. If you have a question for …
Help! I’m going to be stuck paying student loans the rest of my life!
This is something that I often hear, but the truth is, it is rarely the case. Without question, student loans can be really overwhelming. In fact, many borrowers are staring at a mountain of debt that they couldn’t pay off even if they used every dime they made for years. …
Student Loan Checklist for 2016
With the start of a new year, and new programs in place, now is an important time for all student loan borrowers to make sure that they have dotted every i and crossed every t with their student debt. Overlooking a simple form or not making a couple of phone …
4 Student Loan Secrets that Everyone should Know
Student loans can be quite complicated. Between changes to the law, Department of Education policies, and private sector changes; staying on top of everything isn’t easy. As a result of the constantly evolving student loan system, borrowers often miss out on both warnings and good news. Today we will be shedding …