• 20 minutes 27 seconds
    Changes to Grad Plus Coming This Year in 2026

    Grad PLUS loans are going away, and the phase-out is going to create one of the strangest stretches in the history of student loan financing. If you're enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program, about to start one, or know someone who is, the new borrowing limits taking effect July 1, 2026, will reshape how you pay for school and how you'll repay later.

    Learn about the new borrowing caps, the orphaned group of borrowers caught in between, why taking a leave of absence could cost you everything, and what the coming wave of private lending chaos means for your wallet.

    Key moments:

    (01:44) Why taking a leave of absence could lock some students out of crucial loans

    (06:19) When high-cost programs only stay open to the wealthy

    (07:39) Why private loans won't fill every funding gap

    (14:23) How shrinking loan money could reshape (or close) schools

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Tips I Can't Share Publicly

    Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.

    2 June 2026, 8:00 am
  • 33 minutes 55 seconds
    "What Now?" Listener Questions Answered

    The new federal student loan regulations are about to throw a wrench into grad and professional borrowers’ repayment options, and we’re tackling some of the most pressing questions borrowers are calling in with. We break down why one loan disbursed after July 2026 can flip somebody from a clear forgiveness path to being stuck in a repayment plan that costs you double (or more). You’ll also learn strategies for handling PSLF account issues, navigating income certification if your income drops, and the mental health toll all these changes might take.

    Key moments:

    (01:23) Why a single loan disbursed after July can potentially double your total repayment

    (08:54) Using pay stubs vs. tax returns to certify IDR plan income

    (15:26) Mental health, financial hopelessness, and why no student loan situation is truly unrecoverable

    (24:21) Calculating physician debt-to-income ratio for PSLF as a resident vs. attending

    (28:53) Why federal loan caps will trigger chaos in grad school funding and may force program closures or major tuition shifts

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Tips I Can't Share Publicly

    Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.

    Want more? Check out our other podcast

    Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.

    26 May 2026, 8:00 am
  • 20 minutes 33 seconds
    Will AI Kill Student Loan Advising?

    Everyone's wondering whether AI is coming for their job (or wallet), so it's fair to ask how close AI tools are to replacing a real human student loan advisor or even your future career. We get into why some professions may weather the AI storm better than others, what the superstar effect means for your career (and your loans), and how upcoming policy changes like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shake up borrowing limits, the decision between federal versus private loans, and long-term strategy.

    We also share where human advice will always matter, and what all this means for you if you're managing loans, borrowing for school, or about to choose a degree.

    Key moments:

    (03:43) Comparing new AI models for real-life financial analysis

    (05:20) The “superstar effect” and how AI will widen the gap between top and average earners

    (09:54) Why real human expertise still matters most for high-stakes student loan decisions

    (12:45) Upcoming federal loan limits, Parent PLUS problems, and the likely chaos from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Free Student Loan newsletter

    If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter

    The SLP YouTube Channel

    If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner

    19 May 2026, 8:00 am
  • 18 minutes 23 seconds
    Predicting the Future of the Tax Bomb

    What happens when forgiven student debt becomes taxable income again? That’s the “tax bomb” we’re breaking down this week — why it’s coming back, who could get caught by surprise and what you can actually do about it (even if Congress keeps punting the ball down the road). We’ll get into 20- and 25-year forgiveness for private-sector folks, insolvency exclusions and why the whole mess falls hardest on servicers and borrowers.

    We also talk about the real-world impact of recent rule changes, state-level quirks and my predictions for what might (and might not) change after 2026.

    Key moments:

    (00:42) Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) stays tax-free

    (02:59) Who needs to worry about the tax bomb

    (13:12) Using insolvency exclusions to lower (or wipe out) your student loan tax bill

    (16:15) Why we expect Congress to make student loan forgiveness permanently tax-free in the future

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Want more? Check out our other podcast

    Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.

    Tips I Can't Share Publicly

    Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.

    12 May 2026, 8:00 am
  • 52 minutes 49 seconds
    Top Student Loan Issues Borrowers Are Facing Right Now

    A candid look at what our student loan experts are seeing in real-time consultations. The throughline: borrowers need to pull their heads out of the sand because too many are sitting on consolidation deadlines, surprise recertifications, and PSLF misconceptions that could cost them years of credit. The conversation moves from urgent Parent PLUS deadlines to PSLF edge cases, then to disability planning and ABLE accounts — every topic drawn from patterns the team is seeing across recent consults.

    Key moments:

    (03:47) Parent PLUS borrowers must consolidate before July 1 to preserve IDR access

    (08:09) Servicers are pulling tax data months early — revoke IRS consent to control your recertification

    (22:29) Big Beautiful Bill removes IBR's hardship test, reopening PSLF for high earners

    (36:13) Disability creates two tracks: IDR recalculation for income drops, or Total and Permanent Disability Discharge

    (42:07) ABLE accounts let families save for disability expenses with tax-free growth, and 529 funds can roll in

    Resources mentioned:

    • StudentAid.gov - official Federal Student Aid site for IDR, consolidation, PSLF, disability discharge, and more

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    The SLP YouTube Channel

    If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner

    Free Student Loan newsletter

    If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter

    5 May 2026, 8:00 am
  • 23 minutes 24 seconds
    How Much You Should Borrow for Grad School is Totally Different Now

    Graduate and professional school just got a lot trickier to finance. With the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act slashing federal loan limits in 2026, figuring out how much you should borrow and whether private loans make sense is a whole different ballgame.

    We examine old vs. new borrowing math, which degrees might justify taking out private loans, where the ROI completely falls apart, and how the profession you choose could make or break your financial future.

    Key moments:

    (01:13) Why borrowing used to function like a 10% “income tax”

    (04:50) Who benefits from the old system vs. new 2026 rules

    (06:40) Careers where high borrowing still makes financial sense

    (10:08) Professions where private loans require careful planning

    (22:02) Fields where private loans can seriously hurt your finances

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Want more? Check out our other podcast

    Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.

    Tips I Can't Share Publicly

    Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.

    28 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 22 minutes 36 seconds
    Borrower Defense, PSLF Buyback, and IDR Recertification Chaos

    We're bringing you a grab-bag of student loan updates you need to know about. Borrower defense letters are finally going out, long-term forgiveness is being processed (sometimes for borrowers who technically shouldn't qualify yet), and the Department of Education is quietly breaking its own IDR recertification timelines. We walk through what's actually happening, what to do if you're affected, and how to stay in control of your payment when the system isn't cooperating.

    Key moments:

    (03:16) PSLF buyback and why SAVE calculations are off the table

    (06:02) Long-term forgiveness is processing, including some surprising cases three years early

    (13:14) How to revoke tax return consent and take back control of your recertification date

    (16:52) What to expect when your payment changes after leaving SAVE

    (20:29) When your loans are incorrectly coded as Parent PLUS and the workaround to get the right payment plan

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Free Student Loan newsletter

    If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter

    The SLP YouTube Channel

    If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner

    21 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 57 seconds
    Domino Effect From SAVE Settlement

    The SAVE plan lawsuit settlement just kicked off a seismic shift in federal student loan repayment, and it's not just about picking a new plan. Find out exactly how the forbearance clock is running out for millions, what you need to know about the new RAP repayment plan, and why 2024 and 2025 tax returns are going to hit especially hard for anyone recertifying with higher income.

    We also look at strategies to avoid payment shock, the latest on Parent PLUS consolidation, and ripple effects for people banking on loan forgiveness or stuck in limbo with borrower defense claims.

    Chaos is coming, but you don't have to figure it out alone.

    Key moments:

    (01:56) Why some borrowers have 90 days to switch to a new repayment plan

    (06:21) How recertifying with 2024 or 2025 tax info could shock your monthly payments

    (08:24) When refinancing might make sense again (and why more borrowers are considering it)

    (12:04) Urgent deadlines and steps for Parent PLUS loan borrowers

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Tips I Can't Share Publicly

    Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.

    Want more? Check out our other podcast

    Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.

    14 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 17 minutes 1 second
    How to Pay Student Loans During the Next Recession

    The next recession isn't a question of "if," it's a question of "when." Whether you're holding federal loans, private refinanced debt, or a mix of both, your strategy needs to account for what happens when the economy turns. We break down how credit markets actually affect your ability to refinance, why your required payment matters more than your interest rate, and the moves you can make right now to protect yourself before it's too late.

    Key moments:

    (01:40) Why slowing down payments in a recession can be a smart move

    (03:27) The problem with private student loans when the economy turns

    (05:36) How borrowing conditions in the broader economy set your refinancing rates

    (08:15) What happened to the refinancing market during COVID and 2008

    (11:14) Restructuring your loans now to prepare for a downturn

    Resources mentioned:


    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Free Student Loan newsletter

    If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter

    The SLP YouTube Channel

    If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner

    7 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 47 seconds
    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 – submit questions to the show

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    31 March 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 55 seconds
    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 for up-to-date recertification information and account access

    Like the show? There are several ways you can help!


    Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?


    Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

    24 March 2026, 1:00 pm
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