Loans

Updated Parent PLUS Guidance Puts These Student Loan Borrowers in a Bind
Updated Parent PLUS Guidance Puts These Student Loan Borrowers in a Bind

The U.S. Department of Education has updated its online guidance to reflect sweeping new changes that went into effect for federal student loan programs on July 1, 2026. While these…

Sep 1, 2026

Loans

The Top 3 Complaints About Nelnet
The Top 3 Complaints About Nelnet

If Nelnet is your federal student loan servicer, believe it or not, you might have lucked out. The company, which is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, services over $684.4 billion of…

Aug 30, 2026

Loans

7 Nonprofit Student Loan Counseling Options for Managing Debt
7 Nonprofit Student Loan Counseling Options for Managing Debt

At Student Loan Planner, we’re committed to helping student loan borrowers find the right path toward repayment. We know that each borrower has a unique situation and we need to look…

Aug 29, 2026

Loans

How to Apply for RAP: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Apply for RAP: A Step-by-Step Guide

Lender and Bonus disclosure SoFi®: ​​ Fixed rates range from 3.99% APR to 10.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount and 0.125% SoFi Plus discount. Variable rates range from 5.74% APR…

Aug 28, 2026

Loans

Bill Would Block Social Security Garnishment for Student Loan Borrowers
Bill Would Block Social Security Garnishment for Student Loan Borrowers

A new bill spearheaded by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) would permanently stop the federal government from garnishing borrowers’ Social Security checks to satisfy defaulted student loans. “As a result of…

Aug 20, 2026

Loans

Going Back to School After July 1, 2026? One New Loan Could Move All Your Debt to RAP
Going Back to School After July 1, 2026? One New Loan Could Move All Your Debt to RAP

Taking out a new loan after July 2026 is now quite dangerous if you have loans from before July 2026.  Why?  If you take out a new student loan after…

Aug 19, 2026

Aug 13, 2026

Student Loan Defaults Surge – What Borrowers Should Know
Student Loan Defaults Surge – What Borrowers Should Know

Federal student loan default rates are skyrocketing, according to recent reports. And the consequences could be dire for borrowers. Approximately 9.5 million Americans (the equivalent of 1 in every 5…

Historic $23 Billion Student Loan Settlement Upheld After Court Challenge

Student loan borrowers celebrated a historic milestone in July 2026 after a federal appeals court rejected the Education Department’s latest efforts to delay settlement relief under the Sweet v. McMahon…

Aug 12, 2026

Historic $23 Billion Student Loan Settlement Upheld After Court Challenge

Aug 7, 2026

Are 20-Year Student Loans Forgiven?
Are 20-Year Student Loans Forgiven?

Federal student loan borrowers have a silver lining amidst the burden of their debt: student loan forgiveness. You might wonder, “Are student loans forgiven after 20 years?” The answer? It…

Parent PLUS Loan Deferment: What It Is and How to Pause Payments

Parent PLUS Loans are education loans that help you pay for your child’s school costs. When you get a Parent PLUS Loan, you’re assigned a loan servicer and must start…

Aug 6, 2026

Parent PLUS Loan Deferment: What It Is and How to Pause Payments

Aug 5, 2026

Guide to Parent PLUS Loan Consolidation
Guide to Parent PLUS Loan Consolidation

You helped your child pay for their college education by taking out Parent PLUS Loans with the U.S. Department of Education. As a Parent PLUS borrower, these student loans are…

Dos and Don’ts of Using Alternative Documentation for IDR Recertification

If you're on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan for your student loans, you might benefit from using alternative documentation of your income when it’s time to recertify. IDR plans require…

Aug 4, 2026

Dos and Don’ts of Using Alternative Documentation for IDR Recertification