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!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter
• Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community

Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?

• Try our free student loan calculator
• Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated
• Book your custom student loan plan
• Get profession-specific financial planning

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 Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly.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.