You are connecting from Lake Geneva Public Library, please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.
Published 9 hours ago • loading... • Updated 9 hours ago
11 smart ways to pay off student loans
Borrowers can use refinancing, extra payments and forgiveness programs to shorten repayment and reduce interest, experts say.
Borrowers seeking to accelerate student loan repayment have 11 distinct strategies available, according to financial guidance from Freedom Debt Relief, ranging from making extra principal payments to refinancing existing loans. These methods empower individuals to reduce total interest costs and shorten repayment timelines.
Before selecting a repayment strategy, borrowers should confirm exact loan balances and identify their specific loan servicer. Establishing clarity on these details ensures that extra payments are correctly allocated toward the principal balance rather than just accrued interest.
Financial experts suggest two primary motivation methods: the debt snowball, which targets the smallest balance first, or the debt avalanche, which prioritizes loans with the highest interest rates. Both strategies help maintain momentum throughout the repayment process.
Employer assistance programs offer additional funds for loan repayment, while setting up autopay can secure interest rate discounts. These tools help borrowers avoid missed payments and manage their financial obligations more effectively over time.
Refinancing federal loans into private ones may lower interest rates, but consolidation often requires forfeiting government benefits like forgiveness programs. Borrowers must carefully weigh these trade-offs before choosing to refinance their existing education debt.