Student Loan Planner

Is Student Loan Forgiveness Dead?

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 [https://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] – submit questions to the show Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1] * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] * Join SLP Insiders [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/insider] for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

IDR Recertification Backlogs, Glitches, and Scary Letters

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 [http://StudentAid.gov] for up-to-date recertification information and account access Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1] * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] * Join SLP Insiders [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/insider] for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Why PSLF Could Die By the Mid-2030s

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 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1] * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] * Join SLP Insiders [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/insider] for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

Tax Extensions Can Lower Your Student Loan Payments

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 Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1] * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] * Join SLP Insiders [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/insider] for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

PSLF Chaos, Consolidation Deadlines, and Parent PLUS Landmines

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: * File a StudentAid.gov complaint [https://studentaid.gov/feedback-center/] * File a CFPB complaint [https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/] Like the show? There are several ways you can help! * Follow on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6w2qdUPNMEFYr0JzGXNgT1] or Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d675bc81-d6f6-4d5a-b354-864b5008fed7/student-loan-planner] * Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/student-loan-planner/id1446453497?mt=2&ls=1] * Subscribe to the newsletter [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/podcast-landing/] * Join SLP Insiders [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/insider] for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? * Try our free student loan calculator [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/free-student-loan-calculator/] * Check out our refinancing bonuses [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/refinance-student-loans/] we negotiated * Book your custom student loan plan [https://www.studentloanplanner.com/hire-student-loan-help/] * Get profession-specific financial planning [https://slpwealth.com/] Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here [http://studentloanplanner.com/voicemail] or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com [help@studentloanplanner.com] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!