Student loans are a huge financial burden for many Americans. In addition, late or missing loan payments can damage your credit and impact future borrowing.
Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help manage your debt. Some strategies include: consolidating your loans, paying off the smallest balance first (the “debt snowball” method), and taking advantage of employer-paid student loan repayment programs.
1. Get Organized
Whether you have federal or private student loans, it’s important to understand the total amount that you owe. Once you know how much you have, it’s easier to develop a plan for paying it down, consolidating, or even exploring loan forgiveness options. This can help you avoid extra interest, fees and penalties.
It’s also important to set financial goals and budgets, and work with a financial advisor or counselor if necessary. This can help you establish a payment schedule and prioritize your debt with other financial priorities, such as savings for retirement or buying a home.
In addition, it’s helpful to create a system for tracking your debt and payments, such as a spreadsheet or app. This can help you stay on track and make on-time payments, avoiding late fees and establishing credit history. It’s also a good idea to have a cash emergency fund of two-to-three months’ worth of living expenses, just in case of an unexpected financial crisis.
When it comes to student loan debt, it’s important to consider both the financial and emotional impact of your decision to borrow. For many people, it can feel like a crushing burden that makes it impossible to save for future goals or live a comfortable lifestyle. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it may be beneficial to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional. This can help you gain perspective and find ways to reduce your stress levels. Also, be sure to take time for self-care by practicing healthy habits and spending quality time with loved ones. This can help you maintain a positive outlook and reduce feelings of guilt or depression.
2. Create a Budget
If you’re struggling with your student loans and need help getting them under control, it’s essential to start by creating a budget. A budget can help you identify ways to reduce your expenses and save money for things like student loan payments, savings, retirement, or an emergency fund.
To start, make a list of all the sources of income you have each month. This can include regular paychecks, estimated commission, side hustles, freelance work, or child support. Once you’ve got a complete list, add up all your sources of income and subtract your monthly expenses to come up with your net monthly income. Then, use this number to create a budget.
Once you’ve established your budget, it’s important to stick to it. It’s also a good idea to pay more than the minimum student loan payment each month, as this will help you get out of debt faster. You can also try the “debt snowball” method to speed up your repayment by attacking your smallest student loan balance first.
If you’re having trouble making your monthly student loan payments, it’s important to contact your loan servicer as soon as possible. They can help you find a solution that works for you, including options such as debt consolidation and loan forgiveness.
It’s also important to avoid taking on more debt, as this can quickly add up and put you even further behind. If you do end up needing to borrow again, it’s important to remember that TX student loans are different from other types of credit, and defaulting on your student loans can have serious consequences including wage garnishment, tax refund denial, and the inability to qualify for future financing such as a mortgage or car loan.
3. Make a Plan to Pay Off Your Loans
Paying off student loan debt takes a lot of time, persistence and money. You can help yourself make a dent in your debt faster by making a plan for paying off your loans. The first step in creating a plan is to create a list of all your loans and their due dates. This can be done in a notebook, spreadsheet or with a budgeting app. Once you have all the details on your loans, it can be easier to decide whether or not to consolidate them. Consolidation can lower your monthly payments by combining multiple loans into one and may also extend the length of the loan period.
Once you have a list of all your loans, it is important to set up automatic payments with your lenders to avoid missing any payments. In addition, try to make more than the minimum payment each month. It can be tempting to use your extra income to purchase expensive items, but it is a much better idea to put any additional income toward your student loans.
Another option is to consider a deferment or forbearance on your loans, which pauses repayment and stops the accrual of interest. This can be helpful if you are experiencing financial hardship or are unable to afford your minimum monthly payment. Deferments are available for federal and private loans. However, it is important to note that deferments and forbearance will negatively impact your credit score.
It is also worth considering a debt settlement program, which can reduce your debt by negotiating with your creditors. There are many reputable companies that can help you. Just be sure to research the company thoroughly before you sign on.
4. Get a Second Job
Student loan repayment can take a big chunk out of a new graduate’s paycheck. And, while many students anticipate making payments, they don’t fully realize how much it will impact their budget until after graduation when their grace period ends.
During this time, it may be helpful for graduates to get a second job or at least seek out extra income opportunities such as working freelance jobs. Adding an extra source of income can help to increase your take-home pay and allow you to make larger or additional payments on your student loan debt balances, which will save you money in the long run by helping you pay off your loans more quickly.
Aside from boosting your overall income, another benefit of taking on a second job or side gig is that it can add marketable skills to your resume and provide you with professional contacts, both of which can make it easier to land a full-time career once you graduate with a degree. And, if you’re feeling especially stressed or overwhelmed by your financial situation, working a second job can help alleviate some of that stress while also giving you the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends or focus on self-care.
Many employers offer student loan repayment benefits as part of their employee benefit programs. In addition to allowing employees to set aside funds in their 401k or pension plan, this perk allows them to make a difference in the lives of their students by assisting them with paying off their student loan debt.
5. Ask for Help
When it comes to managing student debt, it’s important to stay informed. This can help you make the best decisions about your loan repayment options and stay up-to-date on changes to federal student loans and policies.
Using a loan payment calculator can help you estimate your monthly payments and how much you will need to pay over the life of your loan. Then, you can compare different repayment plans to see which one is right for you.
It’s also helpful to make a list of your loans and the total amount that you owe. While this might seem intimidating, it can actually be a helpful way to visualize your debt and set a goal for yourself. For many people, seeing the big number can be eye-opening and empowering – as you start making payments, your balance will shrink and you’ll see progress.
If you’re having trouble making your student loan payments, it’s important to contact your loan servicer as soon as possible. Defaulting on your student loans can have serious consequences, including damage to your credit report and wage garnishment. It’s better to work with your loan servicer to find a solution than to stop paying altogether, which can lead to the worsening of your situation.
The tens of millions of Americans with student debt are in need of real relief. Fortunately, the policy community is starting to develop new ideas to help current borrowers. This includes plans to reduce loan balances or change the terms of repayment. Hopefully, these programs will help borrowers affordably manage their student debt and achieve traditional middle-class staples like homeownership and retirement savings. And for those who are in need of more immediate relief, forgiveness is still an option.
