Student Loan Planner

Ken Ruggiero, CEO and Co-founder of Ascent, joins me and we look at his unique journey to founding Ascent, a fintech company that applies a holistic lens to the student loan industry. It’s the kind of discussion that’s full of diverse insight into governmental policy, first-hand knowledge of the student loan industry’s long history and the reflections on the outsized power that higher education lobby wields. Learn how Ascent has been honored by the American Bankers Association for its data- and tech-driven approach that also incorporates educational elements to advance financial literacy, life skills and career support. You’ll also get a peek into Ken’s emphatic advice: If you’re struggling to keep up with payments, don’t go into denial. Loan providers are there to help you work it out! In today’s episode, we’re covering: Ken’s professional evolution within the student loan sector over the past two decades A complex understanding of the context for FFEL loans How student loan and FFEL restructuring made Ken step away What events propelled Ken’s decision to re-enter the student loan market in 2017 How Ascent grew out of a desire to serve students who have no resources, no credit and no support in funding their education Ken’s journey of Ascent’s loan portfolio performance and forbearance amidst pandemic Why anyone would use a private student loan in today’s environment  Why private student loan companies like Ascent exist Refinancing and whether it makes sense to renegotiate your loan, including Ken’s advice Ken’s explanation of the finer points of Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS loans, patterns and shifts in borrowing A back-door method of education funding that parents without resources might try Alternatives to student loans that Ken recommends All about Ascent’s Bright Futures Engine that integrates student loans with the preparedness and healthy financial habits for students What is peak season and why it matters Links mentioned: Learn about Ascent’s Bright Futures Engine Find Ken on LinkedIn   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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

Pretty much everything regarding student loan debt is in flux right now, so it’s a perfect time to get the facts straight and bust some misconceptions. Hopefully, this will ease your mind a bit and empower you to get the assistance you need to go after the debt relief you deserve. Join me in this episode as I break down some popular misconceptions about the PSLF Waiver and IDR Waiver programs, as well as a few other pertinent issues and updates around student loan debt relief, interest capitalization, and more. In today’s episode, you'll find out: The major benefits of joining an occupation-specific PSLF Facebook group (check out the links below to join one!) How much student debt could be forgiven for teachers, nurses, social workers, etc through the PSLF Waiver Whether the PSLF Waiver is creating more or less inequality in student loan debt The truth about the most common misconception: You can only benefit from PSLF if you have 120 months (10 years) of credit. The specifics about the Department of Education’s IDR Waiver and what it means for you What is Biden’s newest proposal to change interest capitalization, when it’ll go into effect, and how it will affect loan borrowers What you need to know about our pricing changes that go into effect September 1 Links mentioned:  Request an IDR and PSLF waiver webinar for your organization Join a PSLF Facebook Group by Occupation Join the PSLF-Eligible Physicians Facebook Group Use our free student loan calculator Manage your student loans at StudentAid.gov) Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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

Biden’s Student Loan Changes & What They Mean for Your Student Loan Debt The Biden Administration recently came out with a variety of sweeping proposals which are going to impact your student loans in a BIG way. These changes aren’t slated to go into effect until July 2023, but they might start even earlier than that. Join me as I break down the new changes to student loans that the Biden Administration proposed and what other changes we can expect from the Department of Education in the near future. In today’s episode, you'll find out: How interest capitalization may impact your student loans New changes the Biden Administration made to the PSLF rules How to join our occupation-specific PSLF Facebook group for more support Borrower defense settlement applications, potential benefits and dangers What to do if you feel like your degree gave you no value How the Supreme Court might handle the Borrower Defense settlement Potential updates and impacts of student loan cancellation, payment restart, and more What new information there is about the upcoming IDR Plan Whether these recent changes to student loans will increase the inequality in student loan debt (spoiler: We think so…) If the student loan pause will be extended past August 31st, 2022 Links mentioned:  Borrower Defense application Request an IDR and PSLF waiver webinar for your organization 17 Best Physician Home Mortgage Loans in 2022 Use our free student loan calculator Manage Your Student Loans at studentaid.gov   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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

Washington may be headed into summer vacation doldrums, but for student loan borrowers now – more than ever – is a time to stay alert and informed! I’ll start with a deep dive into a proposed settlement in the Borrower Defense to Repayment lawsuit (known as Sweet v. Cardona), outlining the origins of the class action and who stands to receive forgiveness from for-profit schools that marketed through fraudulent means. I’ll also give you the latest updates on where PSLF and IDR waivers stand, and why a big announcement related to the student debt pause will likely occur in the next month. Then, I’ll wrap up with announcements about Student Loan Planner's exciting new webinar initiative and program changes coming this fall. In today’s episode, we’re covering: What’s it all about? A little background on Sweet v. Cardona What it means that it’s a “proposed” settlement (and not yet finalized) The major issue at hand: Should those who were defrauded by scam for-profit universities be forgiven their government loans?  What to do if you’ve already applied for Borrower Defense and what to do if you haven’t Updates to the PSLF waiver even though a final decision hasn’t yet been made pending determination of executive authority Why I anticipate a big loan announcement in late July/early August Why people are missing out on $50 billion or more available for forgiveness How to get in on our newest initiative of free online info sessions to any groups or associations interested Changes in pricing our pricing structure starting September 1st A recap of refinancing and where it stands right now for borrowers   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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

Join me in this episode where I answer many of your most popular questions about Income-Driven Repayment waivers, grace periods, reducing your loan repayment amounts, disability and term life insurance, our NEW Student Loan Planner Insurance, and so much more! It’s an info-packed episode you won’t want to miss, especially if you’re a medical professional! In today’s episode, you'll find out: Will relief come for spousal joint consolidation loans How PSLFs are changing after the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) waiver announcement. How to know if you’re eligible for loan forgiveness on a Standard Tenure Plan Potential problems with loan repayment grace periods after you graduate How to exclude spouse’s income to reduce student loan repayments What it’s like to go through an adversarial preceding (recommended attorneys & getting relief from a school that closed) How to avoid the June 30th disability insurance sales tactic  What important medical professionals need in their disability insurance policy How to know if you need term life insurance Links mentioned:  Get Your Own-Occupation Disability Insurance Quote Get and Compare Term Life Insurance Quotes Book a 1 hour consult with us   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn 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

Senior Student Loan Advisor Meagan Landress, CSLP®, and one of our newest Student Loan Advisors, Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, discuss a number of relevant topics to student loan borrowers today. Listen as they answer listener questions from the inbox, technicalities about loan repayment (particularly around recertifying for your existing income-based repayment plan) and info about the Limited PSLF Waiver and consolidating your loans for PSLF. In today’s episode, you'll find out: How Aidvantage is asking borrowers to recertify for income-based repayment Know when you’ll actually need to recertify (not before March 2023!) How recertifying too soon can impact your income-driven repayment amount When we think student loan payments will resuem How to figure out your interest rates on federal student loans What FedLoan Servicing’s transfer to MOHELA means for borrowers Where your data is stored (hint… it isn’t just your servicer account) What to expect when consolidating your loans for PSLF or the IDR waiver How teachers can avail of PSLF and teacher loan forgiveness at the same time   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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

I’m offering a sneak peek into “Dreams Not Debt,” our brand-new ultimate guide to creating your very own financial plan. Listen is as I break down the five key crucial elements to keep in mind when putting together your plan (cashflow, taxes, insurance and asset protection, life milestone planning and goals-based investing)⁠ — and share actionable tips on how to optimize each one to help you achieve your unique goals! If you’ve always wanted to get financial plan but felt like the price was out of reach, or you feel like financial planning doesn’t take into account your student loans, this is the course for you — and our podcast listeners can get it for 70% off through Thursday. Check it out at studentloanplanner.com/plan In today’s episode, you'll find out: How to calculate your true net worth as a student loan borrower When it might be a good idea to hire an accountant to do your taxes for you The 5 key elements you need: Cashflow, taxes, insurance and asset protection, life milestone planning and goals-based investing About the different types of insurance to consider as part of your financial plan How to navigate the complexities of protecting your assets How to categorize your goals and focus on the right investments to achieve them Links mentioned:  Dreams, Not Debt — Build a Financial Plan for Your Best Life Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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

Society tells us that we can only retire in our 60s. If that’s your plan, I think it’s great! But you need to know there are more options available than you have ever dreamed possible, and it all comes down to having the right financial planning strategy in place. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Listen in as I break down what’s wrong with the standard approach to financial planning, and what you can do to chart a course towards your ideal life in as little as a year. In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why financial planning isn’t only for rich people What’s wrong with the standard approach to financial planning The real purpose of financial planning How to use financial planning to live your ideal life in a year Why financial planning is different than financial tools About different roles of financial planners and how the profession has evolved over time Why increasing your income alone doesn’t guarantee financial success How to use financial planning tools to your advantage as a student loan borrower Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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

Too often, we set goals and we never reach them. Why is that? It’s most likely because our goals aren’t inspiring enough! If your goals haven’t inspired you enough to pour your heart and soul into reaching them, let’s fix that. Join us, Rob Bertman, CFA, CFP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, as we talk about how to set inspired financial goals so you can become debt-free and live the abundant life you want to live. In today’s episode, you'll find out: How to turn boring, ineffective goals into inspiring, effective goals The power of thinking of possibilities instead of clinging to the “what ifs” How smart, inspired goals positively impact your spending habits Creating the path towards success and goal-setting for your biggest aspirations Why don’t I ever reach my goals? How can I become a serial goal-achiever? The importance of focusing on the process over the outcome How to create financial goals that will help you become debt-free The 5 C’s of inspired goal-setting Why you need to write down your goals and say them out loud The crucial role of habits in reaching your goals Goals we’re currently working towards: Flexible travel options and Lauryn’s financial retreat Links mentioned:  Sign up for Lauryn’s Financial Retreat Growth Day app Atomic Habits by James Clear   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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

The Federal Reserve realized they messed up: Inflation wasn’t only a temporary setback brought about by the pandemic. Monetary policy was left too loose for too long, and now it’s led to the worst inflation in 40 years. This is painful for businesses of all types, big and small—including student loan companies. Many of them have no choice but to pivot or phase out certain products, and some of them go out of business completely. Join me as I talk about the student loan servicers that have been forced to shut down and what all of this means for borrowers.   In today’s episode, you'll find out: Why the Fed messed up and what they’re doing about it How inflation measures up in today’s economy The pain student loan companies are facing How the changes are impacting borrowers going for forgiveness What to know about the Nelnet-Great Lakes merger What the multiple student loan pause extensions mean for companies What borrowers need to do to prepare for servicer changes How servicers could fight back against Congress Whether more student loan refinancing companies will shut down What I think about the student loan pause continuing About our latest updates on the IDR waiver and cancellation by Executive Order Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn   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