Not everyone finishes school and steps directly into their first “real” job. Before the real work starts, there are often periods of job searching, temp work, unemployment, funemployment, and desperation. During this time, managing student loans for many is a game of whack-a-mole. Borrowers do what they can to keep …
Is Student Loan Refinancing the Right Decision for Me?
The decision to refinance or not refinance your student loans is an important one. A smart refinance can easily save thousands of dollars. A mistake refinancing can cause years of grief. In some cases the decision whether or not to refinance is simple and straightforward. Other times it 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 …
I have X Dollars, Which Student Loan Do I Pay Off First?
If you are the lucky recipient of a bonus at work, an inheritance, or a gift from family; that money can go a long way in the battle against student debt. The problem is that many borrowers have several different loans. Even if you don’t have thousands of dollars, paying …
Should I Pay Off My Low Interest Student Loans?
Americans owe well over a trillion dollars in student debt. Many borrowers end up spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month in student loan interest alone. It is for this reason that many wisely choose to aggressively pay off their student loans. This aggressive approach is the recommended …
When Federal Payments Go Mostly Towards Interest
In this edition of the student loan plan, we take a look at George’s student loan strategy. His monthly payments are almost all being used for interest while his principal balance is barely moving. He would like to put together a plan to attack his debt. If you want tips …
The 2018 Tax Law Changes and Your Student Loans
Early drafts of the Trump Tax Plan called for the student loan interest deduction to be eliminated. Fortunately, due to the efforts of many concerned citizens, the student loan interest deduction survived the chopping block. The bill doesn’t make any changes to student loan policy in the US, but due …
When Income-Driven Repayment Plans Like IBR and PAYE are a Mistake
I’m a big fan of the income-driven repayment plans. Borrowers in over their head have a light at the end of the tunnel. Savvy borrowers looking for an edge have a useful tool for a number of different strategies. Plans like IBR, PAYE, and REPAYE are one of the great …
Student Loan Refinance Mistakes Made By Doctors and Lawyers
High income earners with large debts, such as doctors and lawyers, are well positioned to save a small fortune on their student loans by refinancing or consolidating. Mistakes in the refinance or consolidation process can likewise cost a small fortune. Navigating these high stakes requires a careful strategy free from …
Sherpa Tip: Talk to Your Lender by Email
Getting student loan questions answered by many student loan lenders and servicers can be a frustrating experience. Federal servicers like myFedLoan, Navient, and Great Lakes have an especially bad reputation for customer service. Unfortunately, dealing with these companies is often a necessity. Of all the borrower complaints that we have …