5 Ways to Eliminate Your Student Loan Debt Today
Learn five ways on how to get out of student loan debt. Test them all out for the best one.
Student loan borrowers have grown in the last few years. At the last count, there were millions of Americans with private student loans. There’s little to no relief in sight for many of them, though. While the U.S. Department of Education has already said that people with federally held student loans don’t need to resume payments until next year—2021—that still means the bills are still coming in.
The private student loan market is at $130 billion today, with a growth of more than 70 percent in the last decade. If you’re one of them and you’re looking for the best way on how to get out of student loan debt here are five ways to help you:
Look for Help
For some, paying the debt isn’t just the issue. Finding your way around the complex student loan repayment system is the problem and one that could lead to a lot of headaches and stress. One way to make things easier for you is to go and get help. Look for professional assistance. Find a firm that can help you get in touch with consumer protection lawyers. With financial experts to help you understand your debt situation, you’ll know the best options you have before you move forward towards a resolution.
Consolidate Your Loans
One of your options is debt consolidation. Before you make a move, though, do your homework. Find out as much as you can about the process. Talking to pros will help. Get an idea of the risks involved and not just the benefits. Weighing the pros and cons will help you determine whether you’ve found the right solution or not. With enough research and information, debt consolidation might just turn out to be the perfect resource for you.
Choose a Repayment Plan
Find a repayment plan that suits you. Everyone has different payment capabilities, so consider yours carefully before you commit to a plan. For instance, you might want to learn more about a standard repayment plan. If you have federal student loans, you have a choice of many repayment options that could help you cut down on your debt and make it much more manageable.
Use Loan Forgiveness
Another option you can go for is to start an income-based repayment plan. Make this happen by using loan forgiveness. The IBR and PAYE offer a secret benefit, which is student loan forgiveness available at the end of the repayment term. If you have any remaining balance, that will be forgiven. However, unlike other Federal student loan forgiveness plans, you’ll need to pay the taxes on the amount that’s forgiven. Still, that’s so much less than what you would have paid, so it’s a welcome help.
Refinance Your Loans
There’s no reason you can’t refinance your loans at a much lower interest rate. Most don’t try it because they aren’t aware it’s possible. Go for this step. It will save you money in interest over the life of the loan as well as lower your payments upfront.
Also, Read: Tips on Paying Debt Strategies Effectively