Student Loan Planner

Join student loan consultants Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, as they answer questions from clients about student loans. Learn about the revamped REPAYE plan, forgiveness timeline for undergraduate and graduate loans, and discretionary income guidelines for repayment. They also dive into the tax implications of loan forgiveness, the difference between FFEL and Direct Loans...

You can optimize your finances in many ways. To reach your goals, there are some things you need to do, but others you should avoid. If you don't want to look back at the end of the year and say, "I wish I would have done that…", this podcast is for you. Join Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, as they talk about how to ditch misconceptions that can mess up your whole year, th...

Exciting news for student loan borrowers! The new REPAYE plan proposed by President Biden aims to simplify the existing plan and offer more benefits to borrowers. It's an earth-shattering moment in higher education. A few highlights include being able to file separately for taxes (if you're married), qualifying for interest subsidies of 100%, and getting a 225% poverty line deduction to lower stud...

The Biden Administration announced a new income-driven repayment plan that can significantly benefit millions of student loan borrowers. Student Loan Advisors Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, and Conor Mahlmann, CSLP®, discuss the revamped REPAYE plan that was recently proposed. Find out how the modified plan increases the poverty line deduction and provides interest subsidies to lower payments for anyone o...

I've got a very special show for you today. I'll share how to put more money in your pocket to allow you to invest. Whether you're just getting started investing for the first time or you want to significantly ramp up your investing, I'll walk you through how to get to financial freedom faster than you ever dreamed possible. I'll also tell you how to get our flagship investing course, Six Figure D...

If we knew what was going to happen in 2023, we could position our portfolios for maximum growth. But you don't need to do that. There are some really great things going on with the investment climate. Combine that with the superpower you've got with your education and degree, and you can secure more financial freedom and choices for your family. You can't predict the future, but you can take step...

For many student loan borrowers, saving money can be daunting. Knowing how to save and where to put your hard-earned money can be a difficult decision to make. Student Loan Advisors Dan Rooker, CFP®, CSLP®, and Ben Lacomis, CSLP®, are here to help you make the best financial decisions. Here's a sneak peek into savings rates, updated savings and contribution rates for retirement accounts, and other...

The holidays are a great time to think about the gift of education. For all the parents who have borrowed on behalf of their children to ensure they had an education, we want to give you a round of applause. Parent PLUS loans can add a layer of financial stress. Senior Student Loan Advisors Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan McGuire (Landress), CSLP®, dedicate this episode to the 3.4 million...

Student loans have been anything but predictable over the past three years. The changes have raised many questions, but we have the answers! Join top student loan experts Meagan McGuire (Landress), CSLP®, and Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, as they take a deep dive into the questions they're seeing right now. Their combined insight and expertise can help you get the most out of the payment pause, re...

Reviewing and assessing your progress over the last year can help to keep you on track to reach your goals. But what exactly should you do? Finish the year strong and set yourself up for success in 2023 with these key money moves from Senior Student Loan Advisors Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan McGuire (Landress), CSLP®. In today's episode, you'll find out: How to fix your Roth IRA if you...

Why the PSLF waiver (that expired last month) isn't really over and the confusing extension to the student loan payment pause are just two recent developments that continue to unfold around student loans. Senior Student Loan Advisors Rob Bertman, CFA, CFP®, and Meagan McGuire (Landress), CSLP®, as well as Student Loan Advisor Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, will walk you through the latest updates t...

Since March 2020, the student loan pause started a trend of more generosity for borrowers — more generous programs, IDR plans, waivers, PSLF rules and more. But the past couple of weeks have seen judges strike back against many of the student loan initiatives. Learn how a federal judge in Texas struck down the entire student loan cancellation program, how borrowers can benefit from some of the opt...

A Texas judge blocked student loan cancellation, effectively stopping it in its tracks. Plus, the midterm elections will have an enormous impact on student loans going forward. Between these two events, you could feel the effects even if you wouldn't benefit from cancellation specifically. I'm diving into the student loan lawsuits, the temporary pause on student loan cancellation, and what will ha...

The new IBR plan is supposed to be available by July 2023, but it might not happen as promised. I'm diving into what's causing the delay that could push it out until late 2023 or even July 2024. There are also hot developments going on with student loan cancellation, and I'm sharing new strategies coming down the pipeline based on recent announcements. Plus, I'm taking some listener questions. We'...

A brand-new set of rules came out, and I'm diving into these urgent student loan updates to give you the inside track of how it can benefit you. It impacts a narrow group of people, but if you're affected, these most recent changes could be life changing. In today's episode, you'll find out: The new rules for the PSLF program that benefits contractors working for PSLF-eligible organizations How Ka...

You only have until October 31, 2022 to take advantage of the PSLF waiver before it expires. But it isn't too late to apply and get credit! Senior Student Loan Advisor Meagan Landress, CSLP®, and I did a webinar very recently on last-minute application tips for the PSLF waiver, and hundreds of borrowers were there with us. In this episode, we're sharing the top tips from the webinar to help as man...

The student loan lawsuits, specifically the State of Nebraska v. Biden et al. suit against the Department of Education, are poised to slow down or stop student loan cancellation. I will cover what might happen and why it matters for many student loan borrowers out there. I also have a few random business updates to share, including how to join one of our Facebook groups and where to find resources...

Meet Conor Mahlmann, CSLP®, one of our newest consultants as he joins Meagan Landress, CSLP®, and Ben Lacomis, CSLP®. Conor joined the Student Loan Planner team back in May and just hit his 300th consult. The team is covering many topics this week — from the changes we've seen, the PSLF waiver, cancellations, and what we hear directly from clients. We're also jumping into student loan updates, so...

Student loan decision fatigue is real. With so many options, programs changes, temporary waivers, and more, there's a lot of deadlines to keep track of. What should you be paying attention to? What are you eligible for? Where do you even start? Join me, Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan Landress, CSLP®, as we review what you should be thinking about right now. We also share how some borrowe...

Emergency Episode #2 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!

6 Republican led states just filed a lawsuit to block student Ioan cancellation, but this could be much bigger and imperil the IDR waiver, the payment pause, and more.

Forgiveness, cancellation, and repayment plans have seen many changes in recent months. But there's more coming — I'm following what the Democrats and the Republicans are proposing for the future of student loans, which could have a big impact on student loans in 2023 and 2024. Listen in as I dive into proposals and a particular bill that is likely to pass in Congress that could help out a small,...

Some people simply aren't suited for PSLF, and that's okay. Student loan repayment is all about making decisions that are right for you and your family, and that's what we're talking about today. Join Senior Student Loan Advisor Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, as she sits down with Miranda, a physical therapist and real, life student loan borrower who qualified for PSLF but chose to go a different r...

We like to prepare student loan borrowers for whatever life throws at you. But even the best laid plans can throw a curve ball. Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, and James Mwombela, CFP®, two of our newest student loan advisors, recently found themselves taking one of those unplanned detours: Challenges along the way to having a baby. Join Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, as she talks to the team about b...

The Biden Administration announced student loan cancellation, and it's a pretty big deal. But a report was released this past week about potential lawsuits filed against the cancellation. It's a lot to take in, but the outcome could have a huge impact on student loan borrowers. So, I'm breaking down the impact of the cancellation, what could happen if there's a lawsuit, and how it fits together wi...