The Student Loan Sherpa Guide to Repayment

The Tools to Eliminate Student Debt

There is a long list of resources to knock out federal and private student loans. For many borrowers, the ideal approach will be a combination of some of the programs below.

If you are brand new to student loan repayment, this guide is a helpful starting point.

Student Loan Forgiveness

Not all student loans will qualify for loan forgiveness, but there are many different ways to get student debt forgiven.
The most generous loan forgiveness program is Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Program eligibility is complicated, so qualifying is hard, but not impossible.
Parent PLUS loans are not eligible for forgiveness, but they can be consolidated to gain eligibility.

Repayment Plans

After many years of federal government tweaks, there is now a long list of federal repayment plans.
Borrowers struggling with their federal loans often find relief on an Income-Driven Repayment Plan.
If you are unemployed or struggling to get by, many federal borrowers qualify for monthly payments of $0 per month.

Cosigner Tools

Cosigning for student loans is often a risky decision.
When a borrower doesn't make payments, cosigners have few options.
Lenders don't like to release cosigners from loans, but there are many different ways to remove a cosigner.

Sherpa Tips and Strategy

Each month, I prepare a list of tips for borrowers based upon the latest news and market conditions.
If your lender is unfair or misleads you, filing the right complaint can make a big difference.
If you are confused or can't find the information you are looking for, feel free to send me an email.

Consolidation

Federal student loan consolidation does not lower interest rates. Instead, consolidation, helps borrowers gain eligibility for some repayment plans and forgiveness programs.
The Guide to Federal Consolidation explains how the process works and the risks.
Borrowers looking for lower interest rates need to refinance their loans.

Lower Payments

Getting lower payments is a great way to free up cash to attack high-interest debt.
Many of the options to get lower interest rates also result in lower payments.
Borrowers on income-driven repayment plans can often shelter income to qualify for lower monthly payments.

sherpa explains when federal student loan consolidation is a good idea and when it is a mistake

The Complete Guide to Federal Direct Student Loan Consolidation

Federal direct consolidation is an essential move for some student loan borrowers and a huge mistake for others.

borrowers speeds up student loan forgiveness on a rocket

Accelerated Forgiveness: Making Extra Payments for Quicker Forgiveness

Options to speed up student loan forgiveness by paying extra are limited.

borrowers will have to stretch to fit student loan payments in their budget

Middle-Income Families Hit Hardest by Federal Student Loan Restart

Borrowers on the extreme ends of the income spectrum won’t struggle when federal student loan repayment resumes. The borrowers in the middle are a different story.

borrowers weigh options on how to utilize the SAVE subsidy

SAVE Repayment Strategy: Balancing Extra Payments, $0 Payments and the Subsidy

Qualifying for a SAVE subsidy gives borrowers an opportunity to get creative with their debt elimination strategy.

borrowers decide between SAVE and PAYE repayment plans

Lower Payments on SAVE vs Faster Forgiveness on PAYE or IBR

For graduate borrowers, SAVE isn’t always the best student loan repayment plan. Some people might be better off with quicker forgiveness on PAYE or IBR.