Articles Posted in Student loans

Are you wondering about what to do with your student loan debt?  Student Loan Planner had me on as a guest on their podcast talking about the student loan system in general, how we got here, what to expect from a Biden Administration and how to settle or obtain forgiveness of your student loan debt.

Here is the link to your episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-you-settle-your-debt/id1446453497?i=1000516901444

Christie Arkovich who has specialized in helping clients get through financial hardships since 1995. Christie was a champion of the student loan system working for Sallie Mae during the early stages of her career but came to realize that the system is broken. We talk about her work for Sallie Mae and why she “switched sides” to help borrowers navigate the many complexities of the student loan industry.

Here is an advertisement that a client sent me today from a loan she took out when she was 19 years old and didn’t know any better.  She regrets it now when the balance has ballooned for her private loans to 100k and she only makes 35k after being out of school for many years now.  We won’t discuss the additional 350k of federal loans, but at least there are income driven plans to fall back on for those.

There is no safety net for private loans and many lenders took advantage.

Looks like an exhibit to me… and what about this one:

Elon bought $1.5 billion of Bitcoin.  I own Bitcoin.  This makes me happy.

What else makes me happy is a private student loan settlement offer we received on one of our adversary cases this morning.  Our client will only have to pay back $22,000 rather than the whopping $300,000 she currently owes.  That’s 7% by the way.  Whooo hoo!  Very reasonable and very affordable payments as well.  We understand the student debt crisis out there and are doing our part in helping our clients with student loans to deal — and to get out of debt!!

While I acknowledge everyone should repay their debt, the problem with much of the student loan debt out there is the lack of benefit received, and in many cases the predatory nature of the schools and many of these loans.  This settlement was for a private debt — not government.  If she had had federal student loans, there would have been income driven debt forgiveness programs to at least address the lack of income her education has provided.  Return on investment – that’s the true test of what a college student should borrow.  If no return, then bet on Bitcoin.  You’d be better off.

Don’t let this happen to you or one of your loved ones!  Take action now!  Tell your loved ones and friends to take action now.  Don’t wait for Congress.  With the $2,000 stimulus that is now likely, it appears that President Elect Biden may have to push any meaningful student loan relief further down the road.  Also what will that relief mean:  10k reduction is my best guess – after Congress approval.  Why not reach out to us and go for the the whole tamale.  10k is usually nothing for most of our clients.

This is a review we received today from a very happy client in Tampa Florida after we got rid of ALL of his federal student loans:

Thank you so much, you have no idea how appreciated you are for your all of your time work, and effort {to eliminate 100% of my student loan debt tax free}.