Being a cosigner on a student loan can be a huge burden. If the primary borrower falls behind on the loan, cosigners must make payments. Even if things go according to plan, cosigners may find it more difficult to qualify for additional lines of credit or a mortgage. Fortunately for …
Student Loan Management for High Earners
Many student loan resources are geared toward borrowers who are struggling. Repayment for those with a steady income and a good job presents its own unique set of challenges. Even though a high salary makes paying down student loans much easier, there are still plenty of opportunities for savings and …
Tip for Married Couples: Don’t Cosign Loans
For most couples, finances are shared. Income from either spouse is for the family, and debt for either spouse is treated as a shared obligation. Because of this shared effort to pay off the loan, cosigning in a refinanced or consolidated loan sounds like a no brainer. Cosigning means combining …
How Much Do I Need to Earn to Pay Off My Student Loans?
When discussing student loan borrowing and affordability, the question that students should ask is, how much can I afford to borrow? Unfortunately, many students find themselves in a position where they have to ask a more difficult question: how much do I need to make to afford my student loan …
Using a Cash-Out Mortgage Refinance to Pay Down Student Loans
With mortgage rates near record lows, many student loan borrowers are thinking about using a mortgage refinance to attack their student debt. The process is called a “cash-out” mortgage. Instead of refinancing the amount currently owed on a house, in a cash-out refinance, homeowners borrower more than what they owe. …
Am I Going to Regret Aggressive Student Loan Repayment?
Financial experts often advocate aggressive repayment of student loans. By quickly repaying student loans, borrowers can save a fortune on interest. The aggressive route can help borrowers get ahead by thousands of dollars. Because of the immense value of accelerated repayment, this site has sought to help empower borrowers to …
Should I Dip Into Savings or Borrow More Student Loans to Pay Tuition?
When it comes to paying for school, it can be tough to decide whether it is better to pay for college expenses out of a savings account or to borrow additional student loans. Some people are very reasonably debt-averse, but exhausting a savings account comes with significant risks as well. …
Where to go for Accurate, Objective Student Loan Information and Advice
In the era of “fake news” and everything being political, getting just the facts can be difficult. Finding helpful financial insight can be even more challenging. This is especially true for student loan borrowers. We have had to deal with scammers, undertrained customer service reps, and politicians that don’t seem …
Navigating Cosigned Student Loans and Mortgage Applications
Even when everything goes right with a cosigned student loan, there can be negative consequences for the cosigner. Cosigned student loans can be a considerable hurdle on a mortgage application. In some cases, it can be the reason for a denial. For other applicants, a cosigned student loan can mean …
Can I sign up for IBR, PAYE or REPAYE if I don’t have a job?
The term income-driven repayment plan is somewhat misleading. Many borrowers assume that they have to have a job with an income in order to make payments based upon how much money they earn. Fortunately, plans like Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Revised Pay As You Earn …