Explore every episode of the podcast Student Loan Planner
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recertification vs. Recalculation for Student Loan Borrowers | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:32:29 | |
Millions of student loan borrowers are coming off SAVE forbearance, and many haven't updated their income information in years. If you're a physician, dentist, or other professional with federal student loans, your next steps could have a big impact on your monthly payment. Learn the differences between income recertification and recalculation, when to use alternative income documentation, and how life changes like marriage, job loss, or a growing family can affect your payments. We cover what to watch for, how to avoid costly mistakes, and what you can do to keep your payments manageable. Key moments: (04:14) Choosing tax returns or alternative documentation for lower payments (09:57) The difference between recertification and recalculation, and when to use each (13:45) Counting dependents and family size to maximize payment relief (17:17) Adjusting student loan payments when your life situation changes (20:18) What happens if you miss your recertification deadline Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| What To Do If You Can’t Pay Your Student Loans | 06 oct. 2026 | 00:38:43 | |
Payments are back, SAVE is over, and one in five borrowers is already behind. If your payment is unaffordable, or you've been ignoring your loans and want to know what happens next, this episode is for you. We’ll walk through your options before you miss a payment, what deferment and forbearance actually cover now, and the real timeline from delinquency to default. You'll also learn why loan rehabilitation usually beats consolidation, and the new rule that lets you rehabilitate twice starting July 2027. Key moments: (03:17) The latest delinquency and default numbers, and who is already behind (07:36) Income-driven vs. fixed plans when your payment is unaffordable (13:26) Deferment and forbearance options, and how to get them approved faster (20:32) What to do in the first 90 days of missing a payment to protect your credit (27:12) Loan rehabilitation vs. consolidation for getting out of default Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| The Wealth Gap We Found in Our Survey | 29 sept. 2026 | 00:42:16 | |
In a new survey of physicians, dentists, veterinarians, and others, two groups reported similar incomes and spent about the same on homes and cars. Yet one group grew its investments at least twice as fast. What set them apart? This episode walks through the data to compare how the two groups save, invest, and feel about reaching their goals. You'll learn where busy people tend to let things slip, how to judge whether a financial planner's fee pays for itself, and which small moves can shorten the path to your goals. Key moments: (03:01) How confidence in reaching money goals differs with ongoing financial planning (06:01) Why people with ongoing planning contribute to Roths and brokerage accounts more often (10:31) Why similar median incomes still led to very different wealth growth (24:06) Why behavioral slip-ups, not intelligence, erode progress for busy professionals (33:01) The real value of ongoing planning over one-off hourly advice Resources mentioned: Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! | |||
| How Federal Loans Are Becoming More Like Private Loans | 22 sept. 2026 | 00:16:47 | |
Federal student loans are about to feel a lot more like private debt, especially for anyone starting a master’s, dental, medical, or law degree after July 2027. Shrinking federal loan caps, fewer repayment options, and tighter limits on forbearance could mean relying more on private loans or managing higher payments. Learn how these changes affect your future borrowing, repayment options, and public service forgiveness, and how to avoid costly missteps if grad school is in your future. Key moments: (05:35) The old forbearance limits versus the new 9-month rule (07:17) Why a $10 minimum payment can still feel unaffordable (09:08) Elimination of economic hardship deferments and your two plan choices (14:14) Upcoming repayment plan changes for PAYE and SAVE borrowers Mentioned in this episode: The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter | |||
| Student Loan Tax Bomb: What Forgiveness in 2026 Really Means for You | 15 sept. 2026 | 01:01:06 | |
If you started repaying federal student loans around 2001-2006 and have been on a 20, 25, or 30-year income-driven repayment plan, you’re right on the doorstep of forgiveness. Here’s the catch: the forgiven balance triggers a potentially staggering tax bill — what we call the “tax bomb.” Learn who’s at risk, how big the tax bill could be, missteps to avoid, and the exact steps to prepare. Key moments: (08:54) Estimate your forgiveness date without an official payment count tracker (18:02) What to save and invest for the tax bill (24:17) Parent PLUS restrictions and the consolidation cutoff (37:15) What the insolvency exclusion requires you to document, and why few qualify (53:17) Offer in compromise, and when the IRS will negotiate a reduced amount Resources mentioned: Mentioned in this episode: Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. | |||
| The “Pay Down Debt vs. Invest” Math Has Shifted | 08 sept. 2026 | 00:10:07 | |
Should you prioritize paying off your student loans or is it smarter to focus on investing? With interest rates changing dramatically since the days of ultra-low 3% loans, we break down how the math (and the mindset) has shifted. You’ll learn how rising interest rates affect that balance, how your tax bracket factors in, and why it might be smarter to shift extra money toward debt rather than your brokerage account, at least for now. Key moments: (03:53) How loan interest rates relate to your tax bracket and what that really costs (07:02) Deciding when to prioritize debt paydown over investing in brokerage accounts (08:13) When liquidity makes sense if you’re considering life changes or starting a business Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| Why You Shouldn’t Panic About Forgiveness Counts Being Rolled Back | 01 sept. 2026 | 00:24:38 | |
This is a two-for-one episode. We’ll start by digging into the mailbag and answering questions you sent in. Then we’ll get to the topic filling my inbox with panicked emails: whether the Department of Education can take back forgiveness counts that were already granted. If you followed the rules, you shouldn’t be worried, and I’ll explain what I think is actually going on with these count corrections. Key moments: (00:00) Choosing the right college and degree in the new era of borrowing limits (06:04) What to do when your loan servicer gets your PSLF payment count wrong (08:14) Handling $145,000 in loans on a new engineer's starting salary (14:34) How the IDR account adjustment explains the counts being corrected now (18:51) Whether granted forgiveness can be reversed, and who gains from the panic Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. | |||
| Student Loan Payments Are Going Up | 25 août 2026 | 00:34:01 | |
You’re coming off years of low or no student loan payments, only to face 10-20x jumps seemingly overnight. We get into why payments are up so sharply, what to do (and not do) if your budget’s getting squeezed, and how to use tax and filing strategies to lower your monthly student loan bill. We also share how to navigate marriage, family size, and community property rules when recertifying, so you can keep more options (and cash) in your hands. Key moments: (00:00) Payment shock: increases up to 20x after years of forbearance and SAVE (07:12) How retirement contributions and pre-tax accounts lower student loan payments (09:27) Married filing separately, and when it drops your payment (16:09) PAYE goes away July 2028, and who should switch before the deadline (20:19) Forgiveness is now taxable, and what to plan for if it’s in your future Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| The Student Loan Borrower Tax Rate Is Too Dang High | 18 août 2026 | 00:21:42 | |
If you’re on an income-driven repayment plan, you might be paying a marginal tax rate that rivals (or exceeds) those in high-tax countries. We walk through exactly how that number gets built, showing how many borrowers effectively lose close to half of every additional dollar earned. We get practical about how this impacts your investment strategy, spending habits, and even decisions like working less. I also break down why pre-tax savings accounts (and careful house/car choices) can buy you back weeks of life — and sanity. Key moments: (00:00) Why an income-driven borrower's tax rate rivals Sweden's (04:44) How a $150K salary hits a 47.55% marginal tax rate (08:51) Using dependent care FSAs and HSAs to effectively get “50% off” (16:22) How driving a modest car or working less can radically impact your life after taxes Resource mentioned: Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| Why You Should Get an Old Person Hobby as a Student Loan Borrow | 11 août 2026 | 00:09:34 | |
Summer’s winding down and, let’s be real, if you’ve got kids, you’re counting the minutes until school starts. But whether you’re squeezing in that last vacation or piecing together a back-to-school checklist, we make the case that you should also start collecting something else: so-called “old person hobbies.” We share why diving into activities like sourdough baking, tree planting, or astronomy could save your sanity (and maybe even your wallet)—even when juggling six-figure student loans and a hectic career. We talk practical ways to get started, how low-cost hobbies can help you invest in your future self, and why giving yourself permission to enjoy life is one of the best financial moves you can make. Key moments: (00:00) Why “old person hobbies” are worth exploring well before retirement (01:19) How my wife and I found sanity through sourdough and star-gazing (02:12) Why my 20s self didn’t get it, and what shifted for me in my 30s (03:25) How to start a long-term hobby for under $10 (05:32) Building a financial plan that lets you actually enjoy your life Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter | |||
| Are you on track to retire? Why that’s the wrong question | 04 août 2026 | 00:16:13 | |
Most people who care about money — especially those with big student loans — eventually end up worrying, "Am I on track to retire?" But that’s not the right question. Today, I break down why obsessing over retirement misses the point, and explain how shifting your focus to what you actually want in the next year can have a much bigger impact. Plus, I get real about what happened when I chased early retirement myself — and what really mattered in the end. Key moments: (02:36) What financially interested people get wrong and why planners aren’t just for the ultra-wealthy (05:44) What keeps high earners from enjoying their money (07:12) My own early retirement attempt and the surprising lesson it taught me about purpose Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. | |||
| New Grad Student Loan Hacks | 28 juil. 2026 | 00:10:57 | |
If you're coming out of professional school this fall, here's the quirk in your favor: you almost certainly didn't borrow after July 2026, which means you still have access to every repayment plan that existed before that cutoff. Some of these new-grad moves have been around for years, but the arrival of the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) changes the math, and we walk through the hacks that let high-debt full-payoff borrowers start $10 payments and get their interest wiped to roughly 0% for the first year. Then we zoom out: why you shouldn't rewire your portfolio over AI-bubble jitters, and why the best financial call you make in your 20s or 30s might be spending the money before your knees give out. Key moments: (01:44) The cost of using your full six-month grace period after graduation (02:26) Consolidating at graduation: when it’s a good idea, and when it’s a disaster (05:19) How the interest subsidy hack can be worth $15K–$20K for high-debt grads (08:36) Why I think you should take some non-financial risks while you’re young Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| The Post July 1 World of Student Loans | 21 juil. 2026 | 00:24:59 | |
Servicers started sending official 90-day notices on July 1, and roughly 6 million borrowers are still sitting on SAVE trying to figure out what comes next. Learn what that notice actually means for your timeline, why the new 1% autopay interest reduction is more of a distraction than a deal for most people, and why consolidating right now could cost new grads a decade of extra payments. Plus, the PSLF final rule that had borrowers panicking about their employers just got vacated in court, and we explain what that means for anyone chasing forgiveness. Key moments: (01:05) Notifications to leave the SAVE plan aren’t as urgent as they look (09:17) Who really benefits from the 1% autopay interest rate reduction (and who doesn’t) (14:05) The new consolidation trap for recent grads—and why pausing could save you a decade (19:05) The PSLF court cases and how they redefine PSLF employer eligibility Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| What Would An AI Bubble Mean for Student Loan Borrowers? | 14 juil. 2026 | 00:19:13 | |
AI hype is everywhere — and it’s about more than AI taking over your job. It also affects the stock market, your investments, and even your student loan paydown strategy. Find out if we’re living through another tech bubble moment, why student loan borrowers should pay attention, and how you might want to rethink where your extra cash goes in uncertain times. Key moments: (03:46) Deciding between paying extra on student loans vs. dollar-cost averaging into stocks (07:00) Using the 4% and 3% rules to calculate how much you need for financial independence (09:08) Regret-minimization (not just tax planning) should guide big financial decisions for student loan borrowers (12:40) Capturing tax loss harvesting benefits if the market crashes (13:41) Gauging which professions are most protected from AI Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| RAP Strategies 2.0 | 07 juil. 2026 | 00:36:04 | |
The new RAP plan has gotten plenty of criticism, but it might not be all bad news for every borrower. Learn where RAP could help, where it could hurt, and why the right strategy depends so much on your income, forgiveness goals, and long-term financial picture. Key moments: (03:10) Who the RAP plan might actually help (06:37) RAP affects forgiveness timelines and PSLF strategy (08:20) Forecasting future income before choosing RAP (10:51) Married filing separately and lowering AGI under RAP (22:03) Extra payments and last-minute plan switching may backfire Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| Student Loans Post-July 1 | 02 juil. 2026 | 00:24:29 | |
We just got back from the NASFAA conference in Washington, D.C., and there's a lot to unpack. From the launch of the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and what it means for forgiveness strategies, to new federal loan limits and whether private loans can fill the funding gap for future grad and professional students, we're breaking down what these shifts mean for current borrowers, schools, and anyone about to finance an advanced degree. Key moments: (03:59) Evaluating student loan options (09:08) Financial aid challenges for “stopped out,” current and repeat students (15:38) Concerns about student loan forgiveness (20:21) Tuition discount rates in education Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! | |||
| Why "AUM Fees are Bad" is a Marketing Ploy | 30 juin 2026 | 00:35:47 | |
Scroll through any financial feed, and you'll eventually hit the same pitch: AUM (assets under management) fees are a ripoff, and only foolish high earners pay them. We think that framing bends the math to sell you something, so we’re breaking down why AUM fees have become the villain in personal finance marketing and giving you a real test for judging whether any advisor is worth the cost. Key moments: (03:56) Fees should be judged against service value (14:43) Separating bad service from bad fee models (17:23) Flat-fee comparisons can exaggerate AUM costs (28:02) Busyness and inertia create financial planning mistakes Resources mentioned: Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| Are you a "SHENRY"? | 23 juin 2026 | 00:22:04 | |
You've heard of HENRYs, high earners who are not rich yet. But what if you're a high earner with six figures in student loan debt on top of it? That's a SHENRY, and the path to wealth looks different when a 401(k), a 457, an HSA, and a $300,000 loan balance are all competing for the same paycheck. We walk through the five moves SHENRYs can make to accelerate wealth growth, from maximizing tax-advantaged accounts to using income-driven repayment as a cash flow tool to getting more out of the degree you already paid for. Key moments: (07:24) Wealth move 1: Max out tax-advantaged accounts (08:03) Wealth move 2: Weaponize income-driven repayment (09:09) Wealth move 3: Open a brokerage account early (11:12) Wealth move 4: Use professional loan programs to optimize housing moves (14:25) Wealth move 5: Two ways to maximize the value of your degree Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| Repayment Assistance Plan | 16 juin 2026 | 00:27:27 | |
A brand new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan is coming, and the rules are stricter than anything borrowers have dealt with before. We break down what we know about the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP): who qualifies, how payments are calculated, and the deadlines you may need to beat before older plans like Pay As You Earn (PAYE) close their doors. If you have federal loans and want to make the right move during this transition window, this is where to start. Key moments: (03:57) Checking your loan types and RAP eligibility (06:38) How RAP payments are calculated (10:44) Unpaid interest subsidy and other RAP features (18:26) RAP’s 30-year forgiveness and how it impacts PSLF Resource mentioned: Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter | |||
| New Rules, Forgiveness Updates, and PSLF Lawsuit Watch | 09 juin 2026 | 00:26:31 | |
Since the One Big Beautiful Bill, the final student loan regulations have started landing, and we're seeing the real-world fallout in consultations every single day. We bring you what that looks like from the front lines: the latest ATF update on IDR backlogs, PSLF buyback wait times, and forgiveness eligibility checks, plus a few other things worth watching. We also cover the consolidation trap new grads need to avoid, Parent PLUS loans showing up on files where they don't belong, and what the July 1 deadline really means if you're still stuck on SAVE. Key moments: (01:52) Why the ATF lawsuit updates matter for IDR and PSLF backlogs (04:06) How forgiveness timing could trigger bigger tax bills in 2027 (08:36) 88,000 pending PSLF buyback applicants, duplicate applications, and delays (12:14) Parent PLUS loan confusion: When your file shows loans you never took out (20:10) Why new grads should think hard before consolidating, and how it can lock you into a 30-year plan Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| Changes to Grad Plus Coming This Year in 2026 | 02 juin 2026 | 00:20:27 | |
Grad PLUS loans are going away, and the phase-out is going to create one of the strangest stretches in the history of student loan financing. If you're enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program, about to start one, or know someone who is, the new borrowing limits taking effect July 1, 2026, will reshape how you pay for school and how you'll repay later. Learn about the new borrowing caps, the orphaned group of borrowers caught in between, why taking a leave of absence could cost you everything, and what the coming wave of private lending chaos means for your wallet. Key moments: (01:44) Why taking a leave of absence could lock some students out of crucial loans (06:19) When high-cost programs only stay open to the wealthy (07:39) Why private loans won't fill every funding gap (14:23) How shrinking loan money could reshape (or close) schools Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| "What Now?" Listener Questions Answered | 26 mai 2026 | 00:33:55 | |
The new federal student loan regulations are about to throw a wrench into grad and professional borrowers’ repayment options, and we’re tackling some of the most pressing questions borrowers are calling in with. We break down why one loan disbursed after July 2026 can flip somebody from a clear forgiveness path to being stuck in a repayment plan that costs you double (or more). You’ll also learn strategies for handling PSLF account issues, navigating income certification if your income drops, and the mental health toll all these changes might take. Key moments: (01:23) Why a single loan disbursed after July can potentially double your total repayment (08:54) Using pay stubs vs. tax returns to certify IDR plan income (15:26) Mental health, financial hopelessness, and why no student loan situation is truly unrecoverable (24:21) Calculating physician debt-to-income ratio for PSLF as a resident vs. attending (28:53) Why federal loan caps will trigger chaos in grad school funding and may force program closures or major tuition shifts Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. | |||
| Will AI Kill Student Loan Advising? | 19 mai 2026 | 00:20:33 | |
Everyone's wondering whether AI is coming for their job (or wallet), so it's fair to ask how close AI tools are to replacing a real human student loan advisor or even your future career. We get into why some professions may weather the AI storm better than others, what the superstar effect means for your career (and your loans), and how upcoming policy changes like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shake up borrowing limits, the decision between federal versus private loans, and long-term strategy. We also share where human advice will always matter, and what all this means for you if you're managing loans, borrowing for school, or about to choose a degree. Key moments: (03:43) Comparing new AI models for real-life financial analysis (05:20) The “superstar effect” and how AI will widen the gap between top and average earners (09:54) Why real human expertise still matters most for high-stakes student loan decisions (12:45) Upcoming federal loan limits, Parent PLUS problems, and the likely chaos from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| Predicting the Future of the Tax Bomb | 12 mai 2026 | 00:18:23 | |
What happens when forgiven student debt becomes taxable income again? That’s the “tax bomb” we’re breaking down this week — why it’s coming back, who could get caught by surprise and what you can actually do about it (even if Congress keeps punting the ball down the road). We’ll get into 20- and 25-year forgiveness for private-sector folks, insolvency exclusions and why the whole mess falls hardest on servicers and borrowers. We also talk about the real-world impact of recent rule changes, state-level quirks and my predictions for what might (and might not) change after 2026. Key moments: (00:42) Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) stays tax-free (02:59) Who needs to worry about the tax bomb (13:12) Using insolvency exclusions to lower (or wipe out) your student loan tax bill (16:15) Why we expect Congress to make student loan forgiveness permanently tax-free in the future Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| Top Student Loan Issues Borrowers Are Facing Right Now | 05 mai 2026 | 00:52:49 | |
A candid look at what our student loan experts are seeing in real-time consultations. The throughline: borrowers need to pull their heads out of the sand because too many are sitting on consolidation deadlines, surprise recertifications, and PSLF misconceptions that could cost them years of credit. The conversation moves from urgent Parent PLUS deadlines to PSLF edge cases, then to disability planning and ABLE accounts — every topic drawn from patterns the team is seeing across recent consults. Key moments: (03:47) Parent PLUS borrowers must consolidate before July 1 to preserve IDR access (08:09) Servicers are pulling tax data months early — revoke IRS consent to control your recertification (22:29) Big Beautiful Bill removes IBR's hardship test, reopening PSLF for high earners (36:13) Disability creates two tracks: IDR recalculation for income drops, or Total and Permanent Disability Discharge (42:07) ABLE accounts let families save for disability expenses with tax-free growth, and 529 funds can roll in Resources mentioned:
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter | |||
| How Much You Should Borrow for Grad School is Totally Different Now | 28 avr. 2026 | 00:23:24 | |
Graduate and professional school just got a lot trickier to finance. With the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act slashing federal loan limits in 2026, figuring out how much you should borrow and whether private loans make sense is a whole different ballgame. We examine old vs. new borrowing math, which degrees might justify taking out private loans, where the ROI completely falls apart, and how the profession you choose could make or break your financial future. Key moments: (01:13) Why borrowing used to function like a 10% “income tax” (04:50) Who benefits from the old system vs. new 2026 rules (06:40) Careers where high borrowing still makes financial sense (10:08) Professions where private loans require careful planning (22:02) Fields where private loans can seriously hurt your finances Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. | |||
| Borrower Defense, PSLF Buyback, and IDR Recertification Chaos | 21 avr. 2026 | 00:22:36 | |
We're bringing you a grab-bag of student loan updates you need to know about. Borrower defense letters are finally going out, long-term forgiveness is being processed (sometimes for borrowers who technically shouldn't qualify yet), and the Department of Education is quietly breaking its own IDR recertification timelines. We walk through what's actually happening, what to do if you're affected, and how to stay in control of your payment when the system isn't cooperating. Key moments: (03:16) PSLF buyback and why SAVE calculations are off the table (06:02) Long-term forgiveness is processing, including some surprising cases three years early (13:14) How to revoke tax return consent and take back control of your recertification date (16:52) What to expect when your payment changes after leaving SAVE (20:29) When your loans are incorrectly coded as Parent PLUS and the workaround to get the right payment plan Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| Domino Effect From SAVE Settlement | 14 avr. 2026 | 00:15:57 | |
The SAVE plan lawsuit settlement just kicked off a seismic shift in federal student loan repayment, and it's not just about picking a new plan. Find out exactly how the forbearance clock is running out for millions, what you need to know about the new RAP repayment plan, and why 2024 and 2025 tax returns are going to hit especially hard for anyone recertifying with higher income. We also look at strategies to avoid payment shock, the latest on Parent PLUS consolidation, and ripple effects for people banking on loan forgiveness or stuck in limbo with borrower defense claims. Chaos is coming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. Key moments: (01:56) Why some borrowers have 90 days to switch to a new repayment plan (06:21) How recertifying with 2024 or 2025 tax info could shock your monthly payments (08:24) When refinancing might make sense again (and why more borrowers are considering it) (12:04) Urgent deadlines and steps for Parent PLUS loan borrowers Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Tips I Can't Share Publicly Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership. Want more? Check out our other podcast Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app. | |||
| How to Pay Student Loans During the Next Recession | 07 avr. 2026 | 00:17:01 | |
The next recession isn't a question of "if," it's a question of "when." Whether you're holding federal loans, private refinanced debt, or a mix of both, your strategy needs to account for what happens when the economy turns. We break down how credit markets actually affect your ability to refinance, why your required payment matters more than your interest rate, and the moves you can make right now to protect yourself before it's too late. Key moments: (01:40) Why slowing down payments in a recession can be a smart move (03:27) The problem with private student loans when the economy turns (05:36) How borrowing conditions in the broader economy set your refinancing rates (08:15) What happened to the refinancing market during COVID and 2008 (11:14) Restructuring your loans now to prepare for a downturn Resources mentioned:
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! Mentioned in this episode: Free Student Loan newsletter If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter The SLP YouTube Channel If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner | |||
| Is Student Loan Forgiveness Dead? | 31 mars 2026 | 00:25:47 | |
Figuring out how to pay for grad school is about to get a lot trickier—and the fate of student loan forgiveness hangs in the balance. We break down what the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act means for new grads, why programs like PSLF and SAVE are under the microscope, and how upcoming changes will shift federal loan limits and forgiveness options. We tackle real listener questions on recertifying your income during a dental residency, PSLF processing times, loan capitalization, and married filing strategies. Key moments: (02:29) The new rules after July 2026: federal loan limits and the RAP plan for grad/professional students (03:32) Whether you can avoid in-school deferment to earn IDR credit during residency (06:14) How recertifying income before forgiveness can impact your spouse's payment under IDR (07:41) Why PSLF buyback is moving at a glacial pace, but traditional PSLF is still processing (13:12) Who will still benefit from forgiveness after the OBBB Act
Resource mentioned: studentloanplanner.com/voicemail – submit questions to the show
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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!
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| IDR Recertification Backlogs, Glitches, and Scary Letters | 24 mars 2026 | 00:26:55 | |
If you've been coasting since COVID without recertifying your income-driven repayment plan, that grace period is officially over. We break down what recertification actually looks like right now and talk about recalculation, payment caps, the kinds of forbearances that help (or hurt) your progress toward forgiveness, and a weird glitch flagging people as Parent PLUS borrowers when they're not. You'll learn where to find your recert date, what to do when your loan servicer fumbles your file, and how to avoid common mistakes in a system that seems designed to trip you up, all while staying on track for PSLF or long-term forgiveness. Key moments: (04:02) Servicers pulling income 4 months before recertification dates — and sometimes applying new payments early (06:49) How to choose whether to recalculate, switch plans, or manually recertify in the IDR recertification portal (14:59) 626,000 pending IDR applications, and what to do if yours has been sitting for months (21:01) Payment caps and why denial letters aren't always bad (24:19) The Parent PLUS glitch making recertification impossible for some, and how to fix it
Resources mentioned: StudentAid.gov for up-to-date recertification information and account access Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
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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!
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| Why PSLF Could Die By the Mid-2030s | 17 mars 2026 | 00:18:39 | |
The One Big Beautiful Bill didn't kill PSLF outright, but once you run the numbers on the new borrowing limits and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), the financial incentive for Public Service Loan Forgiveness essentially evaporates for future borrowers. I walk through exactly how this plays out for physicians, PAs, NPs, teachers, lawyers, and other professions — and why existing borrowers are grandfathered in but should still pay attention. I also break down what the new math means for private universities, which degrees still pencil out financially, and a critical deadline for Parent PLUS borrowers that could affect your ability to retire. Key moments: (03:57) How the new $50K/year loan cap makes PSLF nearly worthless for physicians entering med school this fall (07:51) Second-year students are grandfathered in and can borrow Grad PLUS to finish their program (09:18) How lower borrowing limits gut PSLF for NPs, PAs, teachers, and lawyers (16:09) The Parent PLUS consolidation deadline before July 2026, and why waiting too long could make income-based repayment permanently inaccessible
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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!
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| Tax Extensions Can Lower Your Student Loan Payments | 10 mars 2026 | 00:28:09 | |
Timing your tax filing can mean serious savings on your monthly payments, especially if you're on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan and aiming for forgiveness. We break down scenarios for when it makes sense to file right away, when to wait, and how married couples or borrowers with irregular income can play their cards for the biggest advantage. If you've ever wondered how your AGI or recertification date could influence your student loan bills, this episode gives you straightforward strategies you can use right now. Key moments: (07:48) Why when you file your tax return directly affects your IDR payment amount (10:59) Filing a tax extension is free, but if you owe taxes, you must pay by April 15 (18:13) When filing early (or on time) makes more sense than filing an extension (21:39) SAVE borrowers can lock in the ideal recertification date by switching plans between April 15 and October 15
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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!
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| PSLF Chaos, Consolidation Deadlines, and Parent PLUS Landmines | 03 mars 2026 | 00:34:31 | |
Things are not "calm and predictable" in student loan land right now. Hear real stories from recent consultations and learn what actions matter most before the June 30th, 2026, consolidation deadline. We dig into what's happening with PSLF case reviews, consolidation risks, tax season strategies, and what Parent PLUS borrowers need to know now that double consolidation is gone. Even if you feel lost or overwhelmed, you'll finish this episode with a checklist of things to act on now to protect your strategy before small mistakes turn into expensive ones. Key moments: (02:22) Why PSLF payment histories are missing and how to file a complaint with StudentAid.gov (08:49) Consolidate after June 30, 2026, and you could add 10 years to forgiveness (18:37) Smart strategies for tax returns and loan recertification (26:42) Double consolidation is over for Parent PLUS borrowers — here's what to do now Resources mentioned:
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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!
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| Tax Season Student Loan Tips & Big Mistakes We See | 24 févr. 2026 | 00:55:18 | |
If your student loan payment is tied to your income, your tax return isn't just paperwork — it's part of your repayment strategy. Listen to a live tax webinar we did with Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, Director of Tax at SLP Wealth, as we share the biggest mistakes we're seeing this season, especially around married filing separately, community property states, and backdoor Roth IRAs — plus when filing an extension can legitimately save you real money on income-driven repayment. If you're navigating forgiveness, IDR, or just trying not to overpay Uncle Sam, this one's for you. Key moments: (02:09) Married filing separate vs. joint: when it lowers payments (08:29) The top mistake: Backdoor Roth errors that trigger penalties (20:37) Niche tax savings under RAP plan, managing AirBnbs, and passive income (35:31) The new SALT cap changes and who benefits
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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!
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| What Will Students and Parents Do This Fall? | 17 févr. 2026 | 00:27:14 | |
Fall 2026 is shaping up to be a financial aid cliff. If you're a grad student, parent of a college student, or a current professional school attendee, the shifts in borrowing limits, repayment plans, and the fate of Grad PLUS loans could seriously affect your finances and your future. Listen in as I answer listener questions and then pivot to the big question: what happens if you (or your kid) take out even one new federal loan after July 2026? Key moments: (00:42) PSLF Buyback: Which tax years might determine your payment? (05:48) The tax-extension strategy to keep a lower IDR payment for another year (11:53) Taking out just one loan after July 2026 blocks you from everything but the RAP plan (15:18) Parents borrowing on behalf of a child face especially bad news (18:23) Should you gamble your financial future? The "retire with defaulted Parent PLUS loans" strategy
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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!
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| First Look at "Beautiful Bill" Regulations | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:26:13 | |
We're taking an early look at the new student loan rules released in January 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Find out why borrowers, especially Parent PLUS families, need to pay close attention. We'll explain which degrees are most affected, how professional and graduate programs are changing for loan purposes, how the RAP plan will impact repayment, and whether private lenders can keep up with demand. Key moments: (02:18) Why these regulations were rushed and what's coming next (04:40) Parent PLUS borrowers face confusing deadlines and inconsistent official guidance (11:57) Who counts as a "professional student" under new loan caps (17:47) The surprising good news on consolidation and forgiveness credit
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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!
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| All the Regs That Need to Happen Very Soon | 03 févr. 2026 | 00:17:11 | |
If you feel like student loan policy is stuck in limbo right now, you're not wrong. In this episode, I walk through the mountain of regulations the Department of Education still has to publish very soon if the new repayment system is going to function by July 1. We talk about why schools are scrambling, why borrowers are stuck waiting and how political timing is making everything messier. If you're trying to plan your finances while the rules are still being written, this episode explains what's missing and what's coming. Key moments: (03:06) Degree borrowing limits are creating chaos for schools and students (05:26) Democratic senators demand answers from the Department of Education (12:34) A lot of rules still don't exist for implementing the plan changes (14:01) Why students, schools, and policymakers are all "gambling" right now
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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!
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| Parent PLUS Loan Changes for 2026 | 27 janv. 2026 | 00:39:07 | |
Parent PLUS loans are about to get a lot more complicated, and most families have no idea what's coming. In this episode, senior student loan advisor Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, AFC®, sits down with student loan expert Janna McKay, AFC®, CSLP®, to break down the biggest changes affecting Parent PLUS borrowers. You'll learn about the end of double consolidation, new repayment access rules, and what the July 2026 deadline really means for forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). If you're a parent helping kids through college, this episode could save you from a costly mistake. Key moments: (06:38) Why double consolidation is officially dead (and what replaces it) (08:10) Quick clarification for borrowers who don't have Parent PLUS loans (13:38) Real client cases where consolidation mistakes caused major problems (22:43) Why borrowing after July 2026 could permanently block PSLF for parent borrowers (33:18) Legacy provisions for borrowing before July 1, 2026 vs. borrowing after
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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!
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| Your Goals Are Too Polite | 20 janv. 2026 | 00:18:40 | |
Most financial goals sound reasonable, but "socially acceptable" goals are often too polite, and they can quietly sabotage the life you actually want. We dig into how to uncover honest, motivating goals, why Coast FIRE sneaks up on more people than they realize, and how student loans don't have to delay living a meaningful life. If your goals feel safe but uninspiring, this one's for you. Key moments: (03:53) The hidden signs you might already be at Coast FIRE (07:57) What you'd really change if money stress disappeared tomorrow (08:44) Identifying coping habits that block the life you actually want (14:06) Replacing safe goals with honest ones Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
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| Can Retiring Too Late Kill You? | 13 janv. 2026 | 00:31:20 | |
Is working until 65 actually bad for your health? In this episode, we dig into what the research really says about the link between retirement age and mortality. I share my journey from being obsessed with early retirement to recognizing the deeper value of time freedom, purpose, and creativity in financial planning. We explore how most professionals are actually on track to be wealthier than they realize, how you can use flexible financial strategies to live better now, and how to stop optimizing for being the richest person in the cemetery. Key moments: (02:40) What the NIH research actually says about retirement and mortality (06:01) What people really want isn't early retirement — it's control over their time (10:15) Most professionals are already on track to have "too much" money (25:06) Why chasing passive income is often solving the wrong problem
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| What's New With Student Loans In 2026 + Listener Q&A | 06 janv. 2026 | 00:40:41 | |
2026 may be the most confusing year for student loans yet. Find out what's actually changing with repayment plans, forgiveness, and Parent PLUS loans — and learn what you should be paying attention to right now. We'll also hear real listener questions about PSLF during a government shutdown, IDR recertification delays, getting out of SAVE forbearance, and whether PSLF buyback is worth counting on. If you're feeling anxious heading into 2026, this episode can help you make smart decisions without overreacting. Key moments: (00:44) Does government shutdown time count for PSLF? (08:26) Moving out of the SAVE forbearance, PSLF buyback and family size rules (20:10) Considerations for filing taxes jointly vs. separately (29:30) Warning for Parent PLUS borrowers who are still borrowing or who haven't yet consolidated (35:31) RAP plan rollout and what borrowers should expect next Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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! | |||
| Married Filing Separately: What Student Loan Borrowers Need to Re-Check at Tax Time | 30 déc. 2025 | 00:32:41 | |
Filing taxes married filing separately can be one of the most powerful tools for lowering income-driven student loan payments. But it's also one of the easiest ways to make costly mistakes if you're not careful. Meagan McGuire, CFP®, ChFC®, CSLP®, walks through what borrowers need to double-check before tax season hits. You'll learn when filing separately actually saves money, when it backfires, and how community property states completely change the math. Key moments: (05:32) Why married filing separately can dramatically lower IDR payments (09:58) Real numbers: comparing tax cost vs. student loan savings (17:28) The Roth IRA trap many married borrowers miss (23:37) Why community property states often create extra student loan savings
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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!
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| Holiday Encouragement for Borrowers | 23 déc. 2025 | 00:12:26 | |
The holidays can stir up a lot of stress, especially when student loans are still hanging over your head. In this episode, I want to slow things down and offer some perspective. We talk about why extreme frugality isn't required to build wealth, why "rich enough" beats "obscenely rich," and how your education and earning power already put you in a strong position. This is a reminder that student loans don't get to steal your peace or your joy. Key moments: (01:57) The difference between being rich and being rich enough (05:32) The real spending decisions that actually delay retirement (09:42) Why balance, gratitude, and time matter more than net worth
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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!
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| SAVE Lawsuit Settlement and What It Means | 16 déc. 2025 | 00:20:24 | |
The SAVE plan is officially dead. Learn what the SAVE lawsuit settlement actually says (not the rumors), who really needs to pay attention right now, and what you should do next. We walk through why millions of people are still stuck in SAVE forbearance, what repayment plans are actually available going forward, and how upcoming rulemaking could reshape income-driven repayment yet again. If you're waiting things out, this is your nudge to get proactive before the Department of Education decides for you. Key moments: (01:07) The lawsuit that officially ended the SAVE plan (05:01) Why borrowers should get off the SAVE plan asap (09:03) Borrowers are also losing access to PAYE (13:22) Why I don't think the RAP plan will be around for the next 30 years (18:25) Act early to avoid being defaulted into the wrong plan
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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!
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| IBR Problems and How to Fix Them | 09 déc. 2025 | 00:17:39 | |
Income-Based Repayment has turned into a maze for a lot of borrowers, from unexpected forbearances to confusing "partial financial hardship" determinations that don't add up. Learn why so many borrowers are stuck in SAVE forbearance, what's really going on with IBR denials, and what the Department of Education says it's going to fix by early 2026. We'll also talk about new proposed borrowing limits, how they could reshape entire professions, and what that might mean for your salary, PSLF strategy, and long-term plan.
Key moments: (02:17) What "partial financial hardship" actually means — and when it shouldn't block IBR (05:29) The out-of-cycle rulemaking session and why 2026 could bring sweeping IDR changes (06:36) Why proposed borrowing caps could upend grad and professional programs (11:31) The ripple effects on earnings, PSLF planning, and long-term loan strategy (14:02) What might trigger Congress to rewrite the rules again before 2028
Resource mentioned:
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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!
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| Introducing the Student Loan Planner Community | 02 déc. 2025 | 00:15:15 | |
We've been working on something big behind the scenes, and today I finally get to share it. We launched the SLP Insiders app, a dedicated community built for borrowers who want clarity, connection, and a calm place to ask questions without getting pulled into the noise of social media. Learn why we built it, who it's for, and how it can help you stay on track through the constant waves of servicer issues, PSLF updates, and IDR rule changes. If you've ever wished you had "your people" to talk loans with, this is the moment. Key moments: (01:54) The flood of borrower emails and how a community fills the gap (04:41) Profession-specific channels for physicians, dentists, lawyers, and more (10:10) RAP plan timing, huge interest subsidies, and why flexibility matters early on Resource mentioned:
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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!
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| Tax-Free Forgiveness Strategies | 25 nov. 2025 | 00:38:34 | |
A lot of borrowers are wondering how to get their loans forgiven without getting crushed by taxes later, especially with that 2026 tax-free forgiveness deadline creeping closer. In this episode, I walk through the lesser-known ways forgiveness can be tax-free, how timing affects whether you owe anything, and what thoughtful planning looks like if you're headed toward taxable IDR forgiveness. You'll also hear several listener questions that tie directly into PSLF quirks, marriage and income decisions, and whether refinancing really makes sense for high earners. Key moments: (01:35) Employer lump-sum PSLF mess and how to escalate when servicers contradict themselves (08:11) Acupuncturist's loans, marriage stress, and married-filing-separately trade-offs (16:57) Should high earners refinance or keep federal protections and flexibility (26:03) What happens if PSLF rules get blocked, and who should actually worry (29:11) Tax-free forgiveness strategies, tax bomb planning, and smart moves before 2026
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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!
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| Future of PAYE, SAVE and RAP with Stanley Tate | 18 nov. 2025 | 00:51:21 | |
Listen in as I sit down with my good friend and one of the sharpest legal minds in the student loan world, Stanley Tate. We walk through the latest PSLF battles, what the SAVE-forbearance mess really means for your timeline, and how the coming transition to RAP and old-school IBR could reshape repayment for millions of borrowers. We also get into Parent PLUS landmines, future loan caps, and what all of this means for the next generation of borrowers. You'll learn where the pitfalls are, how to protect yourself, and why most borrowers still have more options than they think. Key moments: (05:07) How worried should you be about the new PSLF rules (09:20) The weighted-average credit confusion after consolidation (16:32) The risk of choosing between federal and private student loans is quite high (24:28) SAVE forbearance, recertification delays, and the Parent PLUS trap (43:47) What we're watching in negotiated rulemaking and RAP vs. IBR Resource mentioned:
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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!
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| Reflections on 9 Years of Helping Borrowers | 11 nov. 2025 | 00:41:22 | |
We've hit 400 episodes. That's hundreds of hours helping borrowers make sense of one of the most complicated (and emotional) parts of personal finance. In this milestone episode, I sit down with Lauryn Williams, CFP®, CSLP®, AFC®, one of our longest-serving planners and a key part of SLP since 2018. Together, we look back on how it all started — a spreadsheet that accidentally went viral — and how far we've come since then. We talk about the biggest surprises in today's student loan system, the stories that still move us years later, and where SLP is heading next. Key moments: (02:37) How a viral spreadsheet launched a national business (9:34) From Olympian to planner: Lauryn's journey to helping borrowers with student loan debt (14:50) The biggest shock about student loans today compared to 2016 (22:00) Client stories that still stick with us (32:15) Why today's system is simpler—but still not simple enough (38:54) What's next for SLP: building the SLP Insiders app to bring borrowers together Resources mentioned:
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
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!
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