6 Tips for Getting Out of Student Loan Debt

First published 6th May 2023 Robin James

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Сollege gives people a good set of knowledge and skills to prosper in the modern world. But it also gets them into debt. According to the latest data, 7 out of 10 graduates have an average debt of about $30,000. It would be fairly easy to pay if not for the high-interest rates. Necessity drives many students to work part-time jobs during college.

Recent graduates do everything to pay off their loans fast. Of course, dealing with debt fast is a sound decision, no matter what it’s for. Paying student loan fees in full makes it easier to save for retirement, rent an apartment or buy a car. There are several tips recent graduates can use to get out of loan debt.

1. Spend Within Your Budget

One of the best ways to keep your finances in check is to make a budget. You can start checking where your money goes even during your college years. For example, maybe you have too many “write a paper for me” requests in your search history. Or, maybe your credit card balance is wrecked by debt accumulated from shopping on eBay and Amazon.

With the right balance, graduates save money for their loan debts every month. Starting early means getting debt-free early. Do your best to track transactions and see which items drain your budget the most. Focus on necessities like food and rent. Cancel unnecessary and unused subscriptions. Everything to save more money on the debt.

The goal isn’t to force yourself to eat bread and water every day. But, the budget should be balanced enough to cover all upcoming expenses. There are plenty of desktop and mobile apps you can use to track your spending habits and balance a budget. Once you take stock of your resources, paying debts will be a lot easier.

2. Pay More Than The Bare Minimum

Graduates shouldn’t be satisfied with the bare minimum due each month. When possible, pay a little more than required. An extra 50 bucks here and there will make you free of debt much faster. This way, the remaining sum and total interest owed are reduced simultaneously. That’s because the lending rate is calculated based on the remaining balance.

You may be reluctant to pay extra money that could have been spent on other things. That’s why it’s better to establish an automatic monthly payment at a higher fee. This way, paying extra on the student loan won’t weigh your conscience as much. If you’re already employed, invest some of any bonus payments towards paying the loan.

Another sound decision lies in forgoing bimonthly payments. Instead, students should divide them in half and pay every two weeks. You’ll make 26 payments a year instead of 12, which make up 13 months’ worth of payments.

3. Refinance The Student Loans

Another way of getting out of student loan debt involves refinancing it. It simply means getting a new loan at a lower interest rate. Making the same regular payments at a reduced interest rate will help you out in the long run. A larger part of these payments will then reduce the principal balance instead of covering interest rates.

Despite the plain benefit of this approach, it has several drawbacks. For starters, you won’t be able to apply for an income-driven repayment plan. Students will also have to abandon important protections on federal student loans. Lastly, they’ll need the right income and credit score to qualify for the new loan.

But, if you make it, lower interest rates will save you many funds. Better consult someone specializing in refinancing student loans before attempting this procedure. They’ll ensure that you get a better deal.

4. Prioritize High-Interest Loans

Some student loans have higher interest rates than others. If one holds such debts, it’s crucial to pay them off first. It helps save more on their total interest. Of course, graduates need to pay a minimum fee on all their loans. But prioritizing high-interest debts helps tremendously. It leaves you with lower interest rate loans that can be paid over a longer period of time.

Graduates can also take advantage of interest rate reductions. Many student loan providers give an interest deduction if you use automatic payments. Others reduce the interest after graduates make a particular number of on-time payments. Weigh your options carefully before deciding to apply for a rate reduction.

5. Apply For Loan Forgiveness Programs

There are many loan forgiveness programs run on the federal level. Study them to determine if you are eligible for participation. But there are several general initiatives anyone can apply for. For example, people working at public service jobs may have their debt forgiven after 120 on-time payments.

This approach requires paying student debts for about 10 years. The incentive pardons any remaining debt you might have. While a bit stretched, this strategy can effectively get you out of debt faster. There are plenty of government resources to check out. Be sure to carefully read and understand the conditions of each type of debt amnesty.

One of the simplest ways of making yourself eligible for loan forgiveness is to join the army. You must serve for a certain number of years, but it’s a good bargain to have pardoned debts. Many college students first serve in the army or play high school sports before applying to college. These activities drastically cut down college fees.

6. Find An Employer Who’ll Help With Debt Payments

Employers are starting to aid graduates with their student loans more and more. They offer it as a workplace benefit on the same level as extra vacation days and flexible work. Such companies are ready to pay a certain amount of funds monthly for student loan payments. Depending on where you work, the company can cover $100 to $300 per month.

Final thoughts

Paying student loan interest as well as the original sum is no picnic. Students must learn how to balance their budget, reduce the rate of interest, and pay off high-interest loans first. Some may even manage to get their student debt reduced through federal programs.