Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Student Loans Student Loan Repayment 7 Smart Ways to Get Help With Student Loan Debt in 2025 Updated May 01, 2025 5-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Christi Gorbett Written by Christi Gorbett Expertise: Small business loans, investing, retirement, banking, credit cards, student loans, personal loans Learn more about Christi Gorbett Reviewed by Kyle Ryan, CFP® Reviewed by Kyle Ryan, CFP® Expertise: Comprehensive financial planning, tax planning, investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning Kyle Ryan, CFP®, ChFC®, is a co-owner and financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. He provides his clients with financial products and services, always with his client's individual needs foremost in his mind. Learn more about Kyle Ryan, CFP® If you’re feeling overwhelmed by student loans, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Whether you want to lower your monthly payment, qualify for forgiveness, or simplify repayment, there are programs, strategies, and professionals that can help. This guide walks through the most effective ways to get help with student loan debt, including repayment plans, consolidation, refinancing, and where to turn for trusted guidance. With the right plan, you can make your loans more manageable and reduce your financial stress. Table of Contents 1. Gather your loan details 2. Choose a federal repayment plan 3. Check for loan forgiveness options 4. Consolidate or refinance your loans 5. Stay updated on student loan policy 6. Talk to a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) 7. Watch out for scams 1. Gather your loan details Start by getting a clear picture of your student loans. Knowing what you owe and to whom puts you in a much better position to manage your repayment options. Here’s what to track: Loan type: Federal or private Loan servicer: Name and contact info Total balance and interest rate Payment due dates and repayment terms You can find this information on recent statements, or by logging into your account at StudentAid.gov (for federal loans) or contacting your private loan servicer. 2. Choose a federal repayment plan If you have federal loans, you may qualify for multiple repayment plans: Standard repayment: Fixed payments for 10 years. Graduated repayment: Payments start low and increase every two years. Extended repayment: Up to 25 years to repay if you owe $30,000 or more. Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans: Monthly payments based on your income and family size. Tip: Income-driven plans like PAYE and REPAYE can significantly reduce your monthly payment—and may offer forgiveness after 20–25 years. Use the federal loan simulator to estimate your payments under different plans. 3. Seek loan forgiveness options Federal loan forgiveness programs can wipe away part or all of your debt—but only if you meet specific criteria. Top forgiveness options: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Forgives your balance after 10 years of payments while working full-time for a government or nonprofit employer. Teacher Loan Forgiveness: Offers up to $17,500 in forgiveness for educators in qualifying schools. IDR Forgiveness: Any remaining balance is forgiven after 20–25 years of income-driven repayment. Tip: Track your PSLF eligibility and submit your employment certification annually at StudentAid.gov. It’s important to stay on top of the requirements to qualify for PSLF. Make sure you are following the proper reporting guidelines each year, or speak with a student loan servicing company to understand how it works. Kyle Ryan, CFP® Kyle Ryan , CFP®, ChFC® 4. Seek lenders to consolidate or refinance If you’re juggling multiple student loans, consolidating or refinancing can help simplify repayment. Federal loan consolidation: Combines multiple federal loans into one. May help you qualify for forgiveness or lower payments. Doesn’t reduce your interest rate but can streamline your finances. Student loan refinancing: Replaces one or more loans (federal or private) with a new private loan. May lower your interest rate or monthly payment. Warning: Refinancing federal loans means giving up federal protections, including IDR plans and forgiveness options. 💡 Refinance with SoFi: Smart, flexible, fee-free SoFi is one of the top-rated refinancing lenders. It stands out for: No fees: No origination, late, or prepayment penalties. Member benefits: Access to financial planners, career support, and exclusive perks. Autopay discount: Reduce your interest rate by 0.25% when you enroll in autopay. If you’re a high-income borrower with good credit (typically 650+), SoFi can help you save thousands over the life of your loan. 👉 Compare rates at SoFi, or view our guide to the best student loan refinance companies. 5. Stay updated on student loan policy Student loan rules change frequently, especially in light of ongoing litigation, forgiveness expansions, and new repayment plans. To stay current: Sign up for updates at StudentAid.gov Set Google alert for key terms like “student loan forgiveness” or “SAVE plan.” Follow trusted resources (like LendEDU) for news and analysis. Even minor policy changes can affect your eligibility for forgiveness or change your repayment options. 6. Talk to a financial advisor A Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)—especially one with student loan experience—can help you: Navigate complex repayment strategies. Decide between refinancing and forgiveness. Weigh opportunity costs of extra payments. Build a financial plan around your loan goals. 📌 Search for an advisor through the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. Look for those with the CSLP® (Certified Student Loan Professional) designation for student debt expertise. As a CFP®, I help my clients assess how their student loan debt fits into their larger financial picture. We generally start with treating the student loan debt as any other debt and analyze the loan details: Is the loan forgivable? When is it estimated to be paid off? What is the minimum payment and interest rate, and should it be refinanced or consolidated? Once we understand the details of the loans, we can plan how to pay them off or leave them for forgiveness. Generally, we start with the interest rate and cash flow analysis. If you overpay your loan, how does that affect the rest of your finances? This is called understanding the “opportunity cost” of every dollar. Should we target paying these loans off, or is your money best placed elsewhere? We look as far into the future as makes sense. For 30- to 40-year-olds, we consider when the loans will be paid off and how the financial plan should look, making changes as needed. Kyle Ryan, CFP® Kyle Ryan , CFP®, ChFC® 💡 Try a free 45-minute session with Money Pickle: Money Pickle offers no-cost one-on-one calls with vetted financial advisors. These personalized sessions can help you explore student loan strategies, get clarity on forgiveness and repayment options, and understand how your loans fit into your broader financial life—all without the pressure to buy anything. 7. Watch out for scams Student loan scams are quite common. Bad actors prey on overwhelmed borrowers, often promising quick fixes or guaranteed forgiveness. Red flags to avoid: Upfront fees Promises of “instant” or “total” loan forgiveness Requests for your FSA ID or SSN High-pressure tactics Companies asking for payment to file forms you can submit for free Tip: If you suspect a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).