Student Loan Planner

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 onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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 shifts are coming to student loans starting July 2026. If you’re carrying six figures of debt or even thinking about grad school, you’ll definitely want to hear this one. Unlimited loans are out, so pricey grad programs might not be as easy to join. Sounds scary, right? But this shift could actually work in your favor. Fewer students funneled into certain careers could mean bigger salaries and steadier job security for those who do make it through. Learn what these changes could look like for you, your school, and your paychecks down the road. Key moments: (02:49) Loan borrowing caps for students starting grad programs after July 2026 (14:08) We may see grad schools offering discounts, much like undergrad tuition discounting (17:27) Schools dependent on higher federal loan limits may be forced to close their doors (18:24) Parent PLUS borrowers must be careful about borrowing before July 2026 (23:27) Affordable in-state and public programs will see a flood of new applications and competition Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

Ever stop and think about how much that new car, kitchen remodel, or shiny toy really costs you — not just in dollars, but in hours, days, or even months of your life? We’re digging into what big-ticket spending looks like when you’re on an income-driven repayment plan that’s already taking 10–15% of your paycheck. We’ll show you how to reframe those purchases, so instead of just seeing the sticker price, you see the true impact on your time and future. We’ll talk about ways to cut back smartly, snag tax deductions where you can, and still enjoy the things that make you happy… all without derailing your long-term goals. You might love your job or just be pushing through to the next milestone, and either way, this conversation will help you rethink what’s worth it, what’s not, and how to keep more peace (and cash) in your pocket. Key moments: (03:07) Buying stuff to numb the pain of a job you don't like only steals more of your time (04:52) Sometimes big renovations are a band-aid for deeper stress or emptiness (06:24) Control housing and car costs, and most financial stress will melt away Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

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 MusicLeave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet 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!

After months of student loan chaos, there’s clarity: If you’re already borrowing, you’ll probably be okay, though keep an eye out for some plan changes. But for anyone planning to borrow after July 2026, the picture gets a lot murkier. Higher payments, tighter loan limits, and longer repayment terms could reshape graduate and professional education in ways we haven’t seen before. Learn why most current borrowers can breathe a little easier, what changes are coming for Parent PLUS and grad school loans, and why future students may need to rethink their strategies altogether. We also explore how schools themselves might have to adapt, and what this could mean for high-cost programs in dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and law. Key moments: (5:19) Active students can continue borrowing until 2026 and for three more years beyond (09:20) Parent PLUS loans borrowed after July 2026 won’t qualify for any affordable IDR plan (13:27) Universities may see faculty cuts tied to falling enrollment once borrowing limits change (17:19) Borrowing limit changes likely won’t be revisited until mid-2027 at the earliest (23:13) There’s nothing to worry about right away — no loan rule changes take effect before July 2026 Resource mentioned: The Price You Pay for College by Ron Lieber Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

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 onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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 onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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 onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

Some parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are pretty rough for borrowers, but believe it or not, it could’ve been way worse — you can thank the Senate parliamentarian for blocking the worst of it. We’ll walk you through what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what you need to start planning for now. This is your clear, practical guide to understanding how the bill will affect your wallet and the conversations you’ll need to have with your partner, financial planner, or school’s aid office. Key moments: (03:40) The math of student loans becomes very complicated for borrowers starting fall 2026 (11:39) Grad school closures and layoffs could mean higher salaries for remaining professionals (14:22) Families face tough choices as expensive colleges become harder to finance (18:56) How you file taxes continues to shape your student loan payment strategy under new rules Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

“Senate parliamentarian” isn’t exactly a household name, but her latest ruling is huge news for anyone with student debt. Learn what her surprise decision means for the Big Beautiful Bill Act and how it could shape repayment plans and forgiveness programs. You’ll find the specifics of what this means if you’re a Parent PLUS borrower, in dental and medical school, or just worried about how these policy shifts could affect your financial future. We’ll take you beyond the political noise and cut through the confusion to give you actionable info you can use. Key moments: (02:32) The current bill would essentially kick a lot of people who need to borrow after July 2026 onto the RAP plan (05:21) Future students deserve clear repayment rules upfront, not changes mid-degree like the Senate is proposing (08:45) Anybody who's ever had a parent plus loan needs to apply for the ICR plan (11:20) PAYE borrowers must be prepared to get switched to the old IBR or possibly the RAP plan (15:48) Different borrowers should take different approaches while legislation is pending Resource mentioned: IDR Plan Request at Studentaid.gov Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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're married, there’s a lot to consider in the latest student loan reform proposals. Discover what the changes being debated in Congress could mean for married borrowers, including the potential loss of “married filing separately” as a repayment strategy and how the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) might affect your monthly payments. If you’re single or engaged, this still matters — we’ll cover what you need to know before tying the knot, plus smart moves you can make now to avoid future headaches. Key moments: (03:07) New rules could make marriage costly for borrowers with high student debt (10:54) RAP plan offers fewer deductions than IBR, especially for families with multiple children (16:36) Capping federal loan limits could push students toward private lenders with strict requirements (25:02) Borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios may benefit from sticking with forgiveness, despite uncertainty Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

The Senate just dropped its version of the student loan reform bill, and let’s just say… it’s not great. In fact, it’s worse than expected, especially if you have six-figure student debt, Parent PLUS loans, or are a future student. Learn what’s at stake, how it could completely reshape repayment options, and who (besides private lenders) might come out ahead. More importantly, you’ll learn what you can do now to protect yourself if the bill moves forward. If student debt is part of your financial life, don’t miss this one. Key moments: (00:52) SAVE and new IBR borrowers could be forced into old IBR under the Senate bill (02:18) New rules could turn marriage into a major cost for student loan borrowers (02:48) Parent PLUS borrowers face the harshest penalties under this proposed legislation (07:14) Future borrowers need a plan before taking loans after July 2026 under the new rules (09:18) There's still a whole lot that you can do if you're an existing borrower Links mentioned: StudentAid.gov - The official federal site for consolidating student loans Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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 the GOP reform bill moves forward, lowering your adjusted gross income (AGI) won’t just be helpful, it’ll be more important than ever for student loan borrowers. We explore what could change, who’s most at risk, and what steps you can take to protect your paycheck. From maxing out pre-tax retirement contributions and HSAs to leveraging self-employment and smarter tax planning, we’ll walk you through practical ways to lower your AGI — and why it might be the biggest factor in your student loan repayment. Key moments: (04:18) Business owners may gain an edge with deductions if the GOP bill becomes law (07:53) Many haven’t felt the full weight of student loan payments in a while — that may soon change (13:55) If this bill passes, 1099 or self-employed work might offer major financial advantages (16:05) Expect to lose 50–60% of your income to loans and taxes unless you lower your AGI Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

Get real answers to real questions student loan borrowers are asking about PSLF processing delays, confusing buyback calculations, switching repayment plans, and trying to understand how recent legislation might affect their loans. You’ll get the latest updates on what’s happening behind the scenes and what those changes could mean for you. We also cover practical, actionable steps, like how to time your income recertification, what to consider if you’ve had a long forbearance period, and a lesser-known deferment option for borrowers undergoing cancer treatment. Key moments: (02:58) PSLF buyback uses the lower payment: before or after forbearance, whichever is smaller (13:30) Forgiveness is likely best when student debt is double your income or more (19:59) SAVE plan delays create confusion; should you switch IDR plans or wait it out? (31:29) Moving abroad may lower your AGI and help secure smaller payments toward forgiveness (35:45) FMLA and income recertification: what to know before submitting updated income documentation Links mentioned: Apply for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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 reform just cleared the House in what’s officially called the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” If it becomes law, it could overhaul repayment into just two plans: the Old IBR plan and a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) that scales payments between 1% and 10% of income over 30 years. But nothing is final. The next step is the Senate, where the path forward is less certain. We explore what the House bill includes, what changes could mean for current and future borrowers, and the broader implications for repayment, forgiveness, and access to education. Learn about key policy details, potential legal challenges, and what you should watch as the conversation continues in the weeks ahead. Key moments: (05:41) If courts strike down SAVE, it could force a rewrite of the student loan section of the bill (07:55) Changing voter turnout patterns could reshape midterm election outcomes in unexpected ways (11:35) Future students may lose PSLF eligibility for residency programs (14:44) Proposed changes could hit universities hard, leading to major job losses across higher education (17:16) Estimate your RAP payment to see what’s affordable and compare your repayment options Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

The Repayment Assistance Plan, aka RAP, is another student loan overhaul, and people have a lot of questions. Learn what this plan actually is, why it matters right now, and the real chances of it becoming law. If you're wondering when or if you could switch to this plan, we've got you covered. The RAP might completely change how student loan repayment works. We're unpacking all the details and what you might want to keep in mind if you’ve got loans. Key moments: (03:55) If you’re close to forgiveness, sticking with IBR will probably make more sense (05:16) This administration is rushing student loan changes before finalizing regulatory details (09:59) There’s still a long way to go, and some Senators just want to bring back REPAYE (13:08) Graduate professions would lose diversity if only students from wealthy families could afford them Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

The Republican student loan bill is gaining steam and could seriously impact your repayment strategy. Let me break it down for you: undergrads might actually see some benefits here, but if you've got grad school debt? You might want to sit down for this one. Current borrowers won't get hit as hard as future ones, but painful changes could be on the horizon. Get insights into the legislative process, the strategy behind budget reconciliation that's pushing this bill forward, and practical ways to think ahead while the details are still in flux. Key moments: (05:30) PSLF could be eliminated through reconciliation with a simple majority vote (06:45) A look at the proposals currently being considered in the bill (09:13) The bill slightly helps undergrads while potentially devastating graduate borrowers (14:48) Loan limits could restrict first-generation students from accessing medical, dental, and veterinary programs (18:30) This "Big Beautiful Bill" will likely reach the President by September Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

Guess what? We are moving this Friday episode over to the new Financially Free Era podcast! It is the next step to your financial planning journey after your student loan plan has been tackled with us here at Student Loan Planner. We hope this new show will answer your questions of: What else do I need to do? What else can I do to optimize my savings? How can I start saving for that goal that I have?" SLP Wealth was born to be that next step. So naturally, we need to start separating from our initial starting point, which is Student Loan Planner. So we have created a whole new show: Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth.

Can “save more” be bad advice? We’re pulling back the curtain on something financial advisors rarely discuss: how saving too much can harm your quality of life. We'll unpack the uncomfortable truth about how all professions, including my own, handle potential conflicts of interest. This isn't about vilifying financial planning — it's about making sure the help you get is truly in your best interest, and not just serving someone else’s bottom line. Key moments: (01:31) When financial planners pressure clients to invest bonuses rather than enjoy them (04:36) Fee structure matters less than the value received for the financial advice given (08:12) Most people overspend on things they don’t even like (15:50) Bad advice often comes from people who don’t understand your situation Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!

Want to keep more money in the family? Hiring family members in your business can translate into some big tax savings — and set your kids up to get ahead with their own savings. Fresh off tax season, we explore the ins and outs of putting kids and spouses on the payroll, weighing the pros and cons, and sharing actionable tips for business owners looking to leverage this strategy. You’ll also learn compliance essentials, common pitfalls, and the legal frameworks you need to keep in mind, whether you're running a dental practice, a family restaurant, or thinking about getting started as an entrepreneur. Key moments: (07:04) Practical tasks your child can do legitimately in your business (12:15) How hiring family can help you qualify for valuable QBI tax deductions (14:40) Choosing the right business structure impacts family employment tax advantages (22:06) Guidelines for staying compliant with federal child labor laws (34:50) Balancing your child's income to optimize college financial aid eligibility Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow onApple Podcasts,SpotifyorAmazon MusicLeave an honest review onApple Podcasts newsletter Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try ourfree student loan calculatorCheck out ourrefinancing bonuseswe negotiatedBook yourcustom student loan planGet 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!