Your Guide to Paying Off Student Loans

Choosing the right path

Paying off your student loans has at least one thing in common with choosing a major. The decision you make
today will greatly influence tomorrow.

Graduates with student loan debt need a firm grasp of their financial situation and their available options. Some
may choose to refinance and pursue more favorable terms for interest and monthly payments. Others could have
alternatives to refinancing, such as income-driven repayment or student loan forgiveness plans.

Which strategy works best for you? This student loan payment guide offers several options based on specific types
of borrowers, the type of loans they’ve taken out, their financial status and their profession.

Follow the guide to figure out whether refinancing, repayment, or forgiveness holds the most promise for paying off
your student loan debt. Get started on choosing the right path today.

What’s your student loan profile?
Choose a profile below to explore your options for student loan refinancing, repayment, and forgiveness.

Note: There may be some overlap depending on your loans and your career. For example, If you have a combination of private
and federal loans, you can compare Private Loans and any other profiles that apply to you. Or you may be a Recent Graduate
who’s also Military/Public Servant, etc.

Recommended Path: Refinancing
Other options for private loans

Aside from refinancing or consolidation, private student loans don’t offer many choices.

Forgiveness programs for private student loans formally don’t exist. Complete discharge of private loans is rare,
even in cases of long-term disability. Unlike federal student loans, private loans aren’t eligible for IDR (Income-
Driven Repayment) programs. Even if you request forbearance from your lender, you might still be obligated to pay
interest and fees.

You could also request lower payments from your lender. (The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers a
sample letter.) Some private lenders offer temporary deferments for graduates in certain professions, such as the
military, health care or public service.

Ask your lender about any programs or options that might ease your debt burden.

Option #1: Income-Driven Repayment
IDR for Recent Graduates

Recent graduates may want to pay particular attention to the PAYE and IBR programs. Both require the borrower
to have high debt relative to income, a situation that may be more common for people just starting out in the
workforce.

Option #2: Refinancing
Notes on refinancing

In general, recent graduates may not benefit as much from refinancing as those who’ve established themselves in
the workforce. When you’ve been earning a steady salary for a while, you’ve had more opportunity to pay down
your student loan debt, receive raises, and improve your overall debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Those factors can
make you a more attractive candidate for lenders.

Federal student loan borrowers interested in refinancing should consider the risks and rewards. By refinancing your
federal loan, you could forfeit the right to take advantage of government protections such as income-driven
repayment (IDR) and loan forgiveness programs. Always weigh the pros and cons of saving money with a
refinanced interest rate.

Option #1: Income-Driven Repayment

IDR for Experienced Employees

Those who have established careers may want to consider the REPAYE program in particular to address their
remaining student loan debt. Having a higher income level won’t disqualify you.

Option #2: Refinancing
Notes on refinancing

Those who’ve established themselves in the workforce are more likely to benefit from refinancing than recent
graduates. When you’ve been earning a steady salary for a while, you’ve had more opportunity to pay down your
student loan debt, receive raises, and improve your overall debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Those factors can make you
a more attractive candidate for lenders.

Federal student loan borrowers interested in refinancing should consider the risks and rewards. By refinancing your
federal loan, you could forfeit the right to take advantage of government protections such as income-driven
repayment (IDR) and loan forgiveness programs. In that light, take care to weigh the pros and cons of saving
money with a refinanced interest rate.

Option #1: Public Service
Members of the armed forces may be eligible for repayment programs exclusive to the military. Others employed
full-time by government agencies, including the military, or nonprofit organizations may qualify to have the balance
of their loans forgiven under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Option #2: Income-Driven Repayment

IDR for Military/Public Servants

Government/military and nonprofit employees who have made 120 payments under any Income-Driven Repayment
(IDR) plan may qualify for PSLF.

Option #3: Refinancing
Notes on refinancing

Federal student loan borrowers interested in refinancing should consider the risks and rewards. By refinancing your
federal loan, you could forfeit the right to take advantage of government protections such as SLFP and IDR.
Carefully weigh the pros and cons of refinancing to save money on interest.

Refinancing

Should you be confident or cautious?

Go through the options below to get a general idea of which approach you should take —confident or cautious.
Just bear in mind that every case is different, and your results don’t necessarily qualify or disqualify you for
refinancing your student loan. Even if your answers suggest caution, you may be able to refinance with the help of
a co-signer.

Employment status

Most lenders require current employment, a job offer, a residency, or some work experience.

Employed - Apply with confidence

Unemployed, underemployed, or still in school - Proceed with caution

Credit score

Requirements vary, but in general you’ll need a credit score in the mid-600s or above to qualify with top lenders.

My credit score > 650 - Apply with confidence

My credit score < 650 - Proceed with caution

Debt-To-Income ratio (DTI)

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling recommends a monthly DTI of 36% or lower.

To calculate your DTI, add up all your monthly debt obligations (not just student loans but also car loans, mortgage,
credit card debt, etc.) and divide the total by your monthly gross income. Then replace the decimal (0.) with a
percentage sign (%).

Monthly debt divided by Monthly gross income = DTI

My DTI > 36% - Apply with confidence

My DTI < 36% - Proceed with caution

Rules of thumb on debt and refinancing

When it comes to student debt, every situation is unique. Still, using a few simple formulas can help you get a
general idea of your current status, your outlook for the future, and your eligibility to refinance.

1   ANNUAL SALARY > TOTAL STUDENT DEBT

Ideally, your student loan debt at graduation should not exceed your starting annual salary

2   SALARY > DEBT = DEBT-FREE IN A DECADE

Ideally, your student loan debt at graduation should not exceed your starting annual sal

3   40% of MONTHLY INCOME > TOTAL MONTHLY DEBT

Ideally, your student loan debt at graduation should not exceed your starting annual salary

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR)
Certain federal student loan borrowers may qualify for an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan such as:

PAYE (Pay As You Earn)

IBR (Income-Based Repayment)

REPAYE (Revised Pay As You Earn)

Eligibility requirements vary depending on factors including types of loans, when the loans were taken out, and
your income.

The easiest way to determine your eligibility is to have the servicer of your loan take care of it. You can contact
your loan servicer directly, or start an application at StudentLoans.gov and choose the first option under
Repayment Plan Selection: I request that my loan holder (servicer) place me on the plan with the lowest monthly
payment amount. If you have multiple servicers, you’ll need to submit a separate request to each one.

In the meantime, take a look at the descriptions of IDR plans below to get a general idea of which one might fit your
situation:

PAYE (Pay As You Earn)

Eligibility requirements specify Direct Loan Program recipients who (a) qualify as new borrowers on or after Oct. 1,
2007, and (b) received a disbursement on or after Oct. 1, 2011.

Maximum monthly payments will be limited to 10% of discretionary income and won’t exceed the 10-year Standard
Repayment Plan amount.

High debt relative to income is required.

PAYE eligible loans

Direct Subsidized Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Direct PLUS Loans made to students

Direct Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents

IBR (Income-Based Repayment)

IBR benefits Direct Loan and FFEL (Federal Family Education Loan) borrowers.

Like PAYE, IBR requires that the borrower’s required payment amount under the plan to be less than payments
under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan.

High debt relative to income is required.

IBR eligible loans

Direct Subsidized Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans

Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans

Direct or FFEL PLUS Loans made to students

Direct or FFEL Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans made to parents

REPAYE (Revised Pay As You Earn)

Launched in 2015, REPAYE is designed to extend benefits for borrowers who may not qualify for PAYE or IBR.

REPAYE is only for Direct Loan borrowers with eligible loans.

REPAYE doesn’t require you to have high debt relative to income or be a recent borrower.

REPAYE eligible loans

Direct Subsidized Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Direct PLUS Loans made to students

Direct Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents

Public Service
Military-specific programs

Compared with the typical student loan borrower, members of the military can face some unique challenges.
Fortunately, the government offers programs designed to help military personnel in the event of war, national
emergency, and other circumstances.

Repayment programs and other student loan benefits specifically for military members include:

Department of Defense Student Loan Repayment Program

HEAL Loan Deferment

HEROES Act Extensions

HEROES Act Waiver

Military Private Loan Postponement

Veterans Total and Permanent Disability Discharge

0% Interest/Military No-Interest Accrual Benefit

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Under PSLF, certain longtime participants in Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans may receive forgiveness for
the remaining balance of their loans.

Qualifying PSLF employers

Government organizations (federal, state, local, or tribal) and the military

Nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)

Nonprofits that are not tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) as long as their primary purpose is providing certain
types of qualifying public services

AmeriCorps and Peace Corps (for full-time volunteers)

Defining full-time employment

In general, you must meet the employer’s definition of full-time or work at least 30 hours per week, whichever is
greater.

For part-time employees with jobs at more than one qualifying employer, you may satisfy the requirement if you
work a combined average of 30 hours or more per week.

For nonprofit employees, time spent in the following areas may not count toward the full-time requirement: religious
instruction, worship services, and proselytizing.

IDR payment requirements

To qualify for loan forgiveness under PSLF, you must make 120 qualifying monthly payments (which translates to
10 years’ worth) under an Income-Driven Repayment plan.

Qualifying payments

To qualify for PSLF, payments must be made:

After Oct. 1, 2007

Under a qualifying repayment plan

For the full amount due as shown on the bill

No later than 15 days after your due date

Qualifying loans

Any non-defaulted Direct Loan received under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) and Federal Perkins Loans are not eligible for PSLF, but they may qualify
if you consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan. However, payments made before consolidation do not
count toward the 120-payment requirement.

When to apply for PSLF

The office of Federal Student Aid recommends applying as soon as possible so that you can start accruing those
120 monthly payments immediately. You can complete the Employment Certification Form online.

More information on PSLF

Visit the Federal Student Aid website at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

Provided by: https://www.bankrate.com/loans/refinance-student-loans/#military-public-servant