Income-Based Repayment (IBR) and IBR for new borrowers are two very different federal student loan repayment plans. The two IBR plans have different monthly payments, forgiveness timelines, and eligibility requirements. I’ll explain why these two plans exist and how borrowers can determine the best option for their personal circumstances. IBR …
Missing IBR or PAYE certification is REALLY expensive
Unexpected costs are everywhere with student loans. Interest grows every day, and one mistake can mean getting hit with late fees. One mistake that can cost thousands of dollars comes with Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans like Income-Based Repayment (IBR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) re-certifications. That statement is worth …
Meet the Worst Federal Student Loan Repayment Plan
There are a variety of federal student loan repayment plans, all with unique pros and cons, but the one that is undoubtedly the worst is the standard 10-year repayment plan. Borrowers on the standard repayment plan sacrifice flexibility, have no route to forgiveness, face larger monthly payments, and limit their …
How Does the REPAYE Interest Subsidy Work?
The REPAYE interest subsidy may not get much attention, but I’d argue that this rarely discussed benefit makes REPAYE the best federal student loan repayment plan. Though the calculations might first appear complicated, the REPAYE interest assistance can save borrowers thousands of dollars per year. What is the Revised Pay …
The Best Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan: IBR vs PAYE vs REPAYE
Under the right circumstances, IBR, PAYE, or REPAYE might be the best Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan. Deciding which IDR plan is the best option will depend upon many different factors. Marital status, loan age, tax strategy, and loan type all impact which choice will have the lowest payment. Today I …
Federal Student Loan Repayment Plan Options and Strategy
When it comes to federal student loan repayment plans, there isn’t an option that is clearly the best. Some plans work great in certain circumstances, while others excel under different conditions. Picking the best repayment plan requires more than just picking the one with the lowest monthly payment. Each plan …