Student Loan Planner

The new Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) guidelines are complex and controversial. Essentially it's a Pandora's Box of regulations implemented by President Biden. Listen in as I break down the key facts and implications of these regulations, including plan blocking, revisions to existing plans, limitations on plan switching, encouragement to file taxes separately, and increased freedom for schools. I...

Details about the new student loan repayment plan are finally here. It's called SAVE, and it stands for Saving on a Valuable Education. I'm uncovering crucial details about the new plan and how it's replacing the existing REPAYE plan. It's the biggest change to student loans we've seen, and it has the potential to simplify student loan repayment and save borrowers thousands or even hundreds of tho...

There's a complex intersection of education, retirement, and the growing issue of student loan debt, particularly among older individuals. Join me as I explore the "gray student loan crisis," strategies to lower income for retirement, and how to get six years (or more) of student loan forbearance by simply asking for it. What about healthcare costs in retirement? I'm covering that, too, including...

The latest update on the status of Student Loan Cancelation based on the announcements made June 30, 2023. ____ 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 o...

You're more likely to experience a disability than death, yet student loan borrowers and their families often overlook disability insurance. Two of our student loan planner consultants are exploring the crucial topic of disability and death planning. Join Dan Rooker, CFP®, CSLP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, to learn the qualifications for Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge and wh...

"Advice anxiety" has two distinct elements. There's the anxiety that goes along with giving advice as a professional and the fear associated with receiving advice from other professionals. This topic holds great significance for me, and I'm going to be honest and vulnerable in sharing my personal struggles. My sincere intention is for my experiences to resonate with you, acknowledging and validati...

Join our very own seasoned experts, Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, for an in-depth discussion of student loans. They explore the pitfalls of private student loans, the advantages of refinancing, and the importance of thorough research to avoid scams. You'll be inspired by success stories from our clients, including one borrower who saved $80,000 of student loan debt and t...

The student loan pause is coming to an end. It's been more than three years since borrowers had to make payments, but the debt ceiling bill included a provision that President Biden couldn't extend the pause past August. I'll discuss the politics behind this decision and how it may affect voters in key states. Additionally, I'll explore the potential benefits of the upcoming Income-Driven Repaymen...

The topic of life insurance has so many nuances that even people who already own policies find it confusing. Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Rob Bertman, CFA, CFP®, discuss the complexities of life insurance and how it can be misused to exploit people. You'll hear anecdotes of people who have invested in whole life insurance policies with high fees and low returns, sometimes being sold on the id...

This episode is packed with essential information to help you stay on top of your student loan game. Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, are here to discuss everything from navigating forbearance and disputing inaccuracies in your payment history to the double consolidation loophole and updates on the PSLF tracker. You'll hear tips on maximizing loan forgiveness and which chan...

The U.S. has a massive student loan debt problem, with $144 billion eligible for forgiveness. The new numbers show that $42 billion have already been forgiven, but Republicans are seeking to block further student loan forgiveness and a new repayment plan due to the raging debt ceiling battle — ultimately putting borrowers at risk. I also discuss the potential impact of Biden's record-low approval...

With millions of individuals burdened by student loan debt for two decades or more, the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) waiver has the potential to offer much-needed relief. However, it may also morph into a significant political issue as a substantial number of older voters struggle with loan repayments. In this discussion, I examine the questionable financial choices made by colleges, such as allo...

Are you struggling with student loan repayments and how it fits into your financial goals? Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, and Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, have joined forces to share valuable insights on how to avoid common student loan repayment mistakes in long-term financial planning. They discuss how many people are unknowingly on the wrong repayment plan, and why income-based repayment might not act...

After what feels like an eternity of waiting, the IDR waiver FAQ has finally arrived. The Department of Education finally released answers to the questions plaguing borrowers' minds since the program was first announced. It's way more complex than the now-expired PSLF waiver, so there's a lot to cover. I'll take you through all the important details, including what counts towards time in repayment...

Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, are here to help you navigate the latest changes and updates to student loans. They start with an inspiring story of a father who shouldered his children's education debts with a Parent Plus loan, only to discover that recent changes now allow forgiveness. Plus, they reveal how the COVID forbearance measure has made Public Service Loan Forgiveness...

The Supreme Court's decision on the student loan cancellation case will have a profound impact on the Biden administration and on the implementation of the new REPAYE plan. I'm exploring that and giving updates on recent developments, such as a federal judge dismissing a case alleging racial motive for student debt cancellation and the introduction of a congressional resolution to stop cancellatio...

In this episode, I'm diving into some PSLF regulations that specifically affect physicians in California and Texas. Many of them work for for-profit companies that serve nonprofit hospitals, and the new rules coming out in July 2023 could have a big impact on PSLF eligibility. Next up is another listener's situation regarding consolidating Parent Plus Loans with graduate school debt. We'll also be...

Join me in this episode as we delve into the PSLF waiver report card. While I'm thrilled to see a growing number of individuals in our community receive forgiveness through the PSLF waiver, the low 20% success rate highlights the confusion borrowers face in determining where to apply and which loans to consolidate. I'll then draw a comparison between the PSLF waiver and the student loan forgivenes...

Hold onto your hats folks, because we're diving headfirst into the Silicon Valley Bank failure. I will explain why the government intervened when they did and what they did to combat the rising panic in the banking industry. I'll also explore the potential implications of this failure on interest rates for mortgages and student loans, and why it's important for you to stay informed. Additionally,...

On Friday, March 3rd 2023, private student loan company SoFi filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, hoping to overturn the most recent payment pause extension. SoFi, a private student loan company known for its partnership with the LA Rams stadium, has seen a drastic 90% drop in revenue due to the COVID pause, and they've decided to take action against it now. What does this mea...

Student loans are a huge source of anxiety for many borrowers. Wondering how you'll pay them off can feel like a weight that you have to carry around, which has led to lots of folks making unsound or unnecessary financial decisions. It's what I call the "siren songs of student loans." When you think back to Greek mythology, there were sirens that lured sailors to their death with their beautiful s...

Breaking news on the Supreme Court Case

Listen in as Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, and Dan Rooker, CFP®, CSLP®, share the results of the Supreme Court case on cancellation… just kidding. While we'd love to dive into how the case plays out, we recorded this episode prior to the verdict. But don't worry, we've got plenty of other valuable insights to share. We're taking a closer look at the new Revised Pay As You Earn plan, commonly referred to...

Student loans payments will likely kick back in sometime in 2023, so now is the time to reevaluate your spending and saving habits. Are you truly living the life you want to live? How do YOU define your own success? Today, Meagan McGuire, CSLP®, and Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, discuss how to change your budget so that it's working for you. And no, they aren't going to tell you to quit eating at...

Keeping up with how student debt is changing in this country can be a headache. That's why I want to help you figure out how to use the existing system to your benefit right now in ways that could be life-changing. Today, I'm answering quite a few listener questions — lots of our listeners had Parent PLUS Loans on their minds, and maybe you do, too. Then, I dive into the Biden Plan for "free publi...