Student Loan Planner

The new 30-year Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) could be the only option for federal student loans after July 2026 — but even current borrowers aren’t safe if they don’t take action. Discover what moves to make to avoid getting stuck with decades of payments. Also, learn about new rules affecting Parent and Grad PLUS loans. If facing 30 years of student loan payments sounds brutal, this episode is for you. Key moments: (02:54) The new $200k loan cap means high earners will likely pay off loans before getting forgiveness (05:44) Education has become a defining fault line between the two political parties (14:55) Grad schools might start using undergrad-style aid talks for tuition and discounts. (18:08) A wave of confusion is on the horizon for borrowers, peaking in April 2026   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

A seismic shift in graduate education financing is on the horizon as strict loan caps are set to impact students starting in 2026. With limits on federal borrowing, many programs, particularly in fields like medicine and pharmacy, could face closure. The conversation dives into the economic consequences for schools and students alike, and what this means for future careers. Listeners will learn how to prepare for these upcoming changes and navigate their financial options amidst uncertainty.

The student loan refi ladder is a clever strategy that’ll help you tackle your debt without wrecking your cash flow. We haven’t talked about this much in recent years because of student loan payment and interest pauses, but with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stripping protections from federal student loan borrowers, now is the time to decide between loan forgiveness and refinancing. This episode will help you decide if refinancing — and the refi ladder — is right for you, or if forgiveness is the better path. Key moments: (07:55) Who should consider refinancing (and who shouldn’t) (15:14) If you’re convinced that paying off your student loans is best, here’s what to do first (17:27) Why the refi ladder strategy helps (25:42) Overly aggressive payments may hurt your chances for a mortgage or other big purchases   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

Big changes in student loans are on the horizon starting July 2026. Unlimited loans will be replaced with caps, affecting grad school accessibility. While this sounds daunting, it could lead to higher salaries and job security for those who persevere. Some grad schools might even offer discounts to attract applicants. There’s a chance some institutions may close due to these financial strains, and competition for affordable programs will intensify. Stay informed to navigate these shifts effectively!

Ever wondered how big purchases affect your life beyond money? Dive into the hidden costs of big-ticket items when you're on income-driven repayment plans. Discover how to reconsider spending to safeguard your goals while still enjoying life’s pleasures. Learn practical strategies for managing housing and car costs to reduce financial stress. The discussion also highlights the importance of job satisfaction and how it can influence purchasing behaviors. This episode encourages financial mindfulness and smart decision-making.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been collecting your questions, and wow… you did not hold back. We’re answering as many as we can fit in one episode, covering topics like forgiveness deadlines, confusing recertification rules, and loan servicers who seem to speak in riddles. You’ll hear from people on the brink of PSLF forgiveness, parents in the middle of tricky Parent PLUS double consolidations, and grads wondering if they should act now or wait. If you’ve been wondering what to do next with your loans, there’s a good chance we’ll hit on something that helps you figure it out.   Key moments:   (09:25) Will the Big Beautiful Bill impact incoming students in August 2025, or only those who begin in the academic year 2026? (16:18) Why is my interest growing when MOHELA said it would be 0%? (28:01) Borrowing after July 2026 locks you into the RAP plan, but you could still qualify for PSLF (37:44) What happens when your employer refuses to certify qualifying PSLF work (46:36) The one scenario where paying extra on student loans makes sense (51:08) How to push your case forward after long delays from your servicer   Resources mentioned: File an FSA complaint Escalate issues to the FSA Ombudsman Group Reach out to your local representative or senator   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

Current student loan borrowers can relax, as they’re likely to be okay for now. But future borrowers may face tougher conditions, including higher payments and longer repayment terms starting in 2026. There are concerns that changes will impact graduate programs, especially in high-cost fields like medicine and law. Enrollment might drop and universities could adjust faculty sizes. Additionally, strategic financial planning will be crucial as new repayment plans come into play after the interest pause ends.

The SAVE plan’s payment forbearance is supposed to stick around through 2028, but that’s looking unlikely. Here’s why we think the clock’s ticking on SAVE, what the latest lawsuit could mean for the plan’s future, and how new legislation is tightening the rules on forbearance across the board. You’ll find out what this shift means if you’re currently on SAVE, what counts (and what doesn’t) during this forbearance period, and what you need to know now to help you avoid surprises later. It’s a confusing time for borrowers, but this episode gives you a clearer path forward. Key moments: (04:54) Why almost nobody should stay in SAVE forbearance after August 1st (10:08) Don’t panic about the “Big Beautiful Bill” changes — it isn’t great, but it’s not a total disaster either (12:33) Parent PLUS borrowers may lose access to affordable repayment options after July 2026 (15:35) Why tax-smart income strategies matter more than ever   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

Student loan lawyer Stanley Tate joins us to tackle the big question we’re all asking: what’s actually happening with student loans right now? We’re exploring the latest legislative changes, what they mean for your repayment strategy, and why Parent PLUS borrowers are especially freaking out. We talk through everything from the COVID payment chaos we all lived through to the potential collapse of graduate programs and the emotional toll of student debt policy. What you’ll walk away with is information you can use, not just more anxiety. Whether you’re strategizing payments or just trying to stay sane, this episode helps you navigate what’s coming next. Key moments: (04:52) Future borrowers will see hard caps on how much they can borrow (09:11) Parent PLUS borrowers must get on an income-driven repayment plan by July 2026 (13:55) Should SAVE borrowers hold on or switch? We share our strategies (25:47) Resources to manage student debt exist, but you have to choose action over ignoring the problem (31:47) Our predictions for what happens to graduate programs moving forward (39:20) Student loans aren't a "set it and forget it" type of debt Resources mentioned: Connect with Stanley Tate Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

If you’ve been riding the SAVE Plan forbearance wave, a big shift is headed your way. The Department of Education announced that the SAVE forbearance will officially end on August 1, 2025. That means interest starts ticking again, and borrowers will be pushed to switch repayment plans. Most will be steered toward the old Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan, especially with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act set to overhaul everything in July 2026. But you’ve still got options. Find out what the end of SAVE forbearance means for your loans, what the government is recommending (and why), and how you can make the smartest move for your student loans. Key moments: (04:01) Choosing between IBR and RAP depends on PSLF status, years in repayment, and forgiveness goals (07:46) PSLF isn’t dead: why potential policy reversals don’t mean your forgiveness plan is doomed (09:41) When paying off your loans might actually make more sense (and how to get a lower interest rate) (14:50) After years of chaos, borrowers just want stable rules so they can actually plan their lives Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!