The new federal student loan pay-off solution known as REPAYE (Revised Pay As You Earn) is supposed to fix the shortcomings its predecessor, PAYE (Pay As You Earn) failed to do. The new program allows borrowers to cap their monthly payments at 10% their discretionary income regardless of when they borrowed or how much they owe. Another benefit is that after making 20 years of payment- 25 years for graduate students- any outstanding loan balance will be forgiven under the program.
The goal is to ease financial stress and subsequent loan default. The effect of defaulting on student loans can last long after graduation. It can impact a borrower’s credit history; make qualifying for any new loan (for example, a mortgage or car loan) more expensive or flat out impossible.
But like all new plans, just because it’s new does not mean it’s a perfect fit for all borrowers. The downside to this repayment option is that for some borrowers, the monthly payment may not cover both interest and principal payments, which mean the loan balance, could keep growing. That makes it harder to obtain other personal credit (i.e. – credit cards, mortgages, etc.) because the borrower’s credit capacity is exhausted.
Another risk is that the lower monthly payments will lead the borrower to pay substantially more over the life of the loan when compared to a standard repayment plan. Borrowers must also be aware of the consequences of REPAYE if their salary eventually increases. With REPAYE, payment will always be 10% of your monthly discretionary income, even if it amounts to more than the original payment under the ten-year plan as income rises.
There are now a total of eight income driven repayment plans to choose from. The key is to select the one that’s best for your situation and know the pros and cons of each.
Click here to read more on this story.
For borrowers who are struggling with student loan debt, relief options are available. Many student loan borrowers are unaware that they have rights and repayment options available to them, such as postponement of loan payments, reduction of payments or even a complete discharge of the debt. It is important you contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.