Real refinance customers share advice for paying down student loans

We interviewed CommonBond members about their student loan journeys. Here’s a round-up of some of the advice they gave.

The CommonBond guide to paying off your student loans

If your career, finances, or priorities have changed since you first took out loans, there’s probably a better payment plan out there – one that can save you money and help you reach your goals faster.

6 ways to boost your credit score

The higher your credit score, the better rates you’ll be able to get when you refinance your student loans. Here are some steps you can take to improve your score.

What to do if you don’t qualify for a student loan refinancing

Not able to refinance on your own just yet? Here are some ways you can keep making progress.

How a recent grad found work-life balance while paying off $70K in loans

Ayrton, 24, was the first in his family to go to college and studied computer science at Penn State. Once he graduated, he realized that some of his loans had been accruing interest for years, including some balances that had almost doubled.

How a restaurant manager bought a home while paying off $100,000 in student loans

James, 31, focused on improving his credit score, putting any extra money he could toward his debt, and getting a lower monthly payment by refinancing his loans to a better rate. Today he’s the assistant general manager at a restaurant and recently purchased a home with his wife.

How a college admissions director found her unexpected dream job after negotiating her MBA scholarship offer

After getting into two MBA programs, Jenny, 28, negotiated her scholarship offers (yes, it’s a thing!), but still needed to take on about $75,000 in loans. She recently bought a home with her husband in Chicago and is on track to pay off her loans in under five years.

Why this millennial refinances her student loans every year

After being laid off from her Teach for America job, Lia found herself facing a student loan bill that was more than her monthly paycheck. Now she’s put herself in a position to pay off her loans 11 years early and save $125,000 in interest payments.

How an elementary school teacher cut her student loan rates in half

How an elementary school teacher was able to improve her credit score and cut her interest rate in half, lowering her monthly payment by almost $400.

How much of my discretionary income should I put toward my student loans?

How much of your budget should go towards paying off your student loans? Here are steps you can take to find the right number for you.

The borrower’s guide to student loan forgiveness

With graduation day behind you, now’s the time to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished over the past several years. Earning a degree is no small feat, and these post-college days should be about looking ahead and navigating a new career.

Do you need a break from paying your student loans? A guide to deferment and forbearance

The U.S. government offers options to help you reduce—or temporarily stop making—your monthly payments, at least until you get back on your feet.

What you need to know about refinancing your grad school loans

The cost of obtaining your degree could leave you with student loan debt. Just like with undergrad debt, though, one of the best ways to manage it is to refinance your loans.

How much can you save on your student loans?

By using the CommonBond refinancing calculator, you can figure out your savings, your new monthly payment, and even when you’ll pay off your debt.

What is student loan consolidation?

The U.S. government offers a convenient student loan consolidation program that may help you make your monthly student loan payments more organized.

7 ways to reduce your student loan payment

When it comes to student loans, your monthly payment can eat up a significant portion of your paycheck. With such a high payment due every month, it can be difficult to make ends meet or save for the future.

3 student loan tax credits and deductions

Going to school and repaying your student loans can be expensive. But did you know that there are ways you can get money back? It might sound too good to be true, but there are education tax credits and deductions that can make higher education more affordable.

My credit needs work. What student loan options do I have?

The good news is there is a solution for just about everyone, even prospective students with low or non-existent credit scores.

A quick story on losing $200,000

Ever since I paid off my student loans, Iʼve been focused on the future. But a part of me has always wondered: just how much interest did I pay while eliminating my student loans?

Stuck in a student loan nightmare? Here’s how to find your way out

“Wait—that can’t be right. It just can’t be!” After three years of making steady payments of $370 a month, my $60,000 balance had only gone down about $800.

Is it really worth it to make extra student loan payments?

Putting small amounts of extra cash toward paying down my student loan was a solid strategy that made a huge difference. Even something as simple as an extra $100 a month can save you thousands on interest over the long haul.

How to determine if your student loan interest rate is too high

Student loans can be a great way to finance your degree and get your future in motion, but they can also be complicated. The truth is that many of us don’t really understand how our student loans work, what our interest rate is, and who our loan provider or servicer is.

Why refinancing has become the go-to solution for millennials with student loan debt

Refinancing is a financial tool that allows recent graduates to save a significant amount of money in the long run by replacing their existing loans with a new one. The new loan often has either a better interest rate or more favorable repayment terms.

How I refinanced my student loans as a freelancer without giving up my freedom

In order to qualify for a refinance loan with a reasonable interest rate, most lenders require applicants to provide proof of employment and solid income. If you're a freelancer whose income fluctuates from month to month, this could present a hurdle.

Financial advisors recommend these three strategies for dealing with student debt

Student loan debt doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Establishing an understanding of how your loans work and a plan to tackle repayment can help you manage and ultimately eliminate debt.

Is it worth it to refinance your federal student loans?

Federal loans offer government protections, but how do those compare to the benefits of refinancing?

When Should You Refinance Your Student Loans?

Refinancing can help you get a better interest rate, potentially saving you thousands. So, when does it make sense to refinance?

How to Plan a Wedding While Paying Off Your Student Loans

Here's how to balance the financial demands of paying off student debt and planning for a wedding.

What Is a Good Interest Rate?

Here's how to tell if your student loan interest rate is competitive with the best in the industry.

How Healthcare Professionals Can Enjoy the Benefits of Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Everything doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals need to know about applying for public service loan forgiveness.

Four Tips to Reduce Student Loan Debt Stress

Here are a few ways to help deal with the stress student loans can cause.

Refinancing Your Student Loans? Use this Checklist to Save the Most Money

A better interest rate could help you save thousands on your student loans. Here’s how to make sure you get the best deal possible. 

The Comprehensive Guide to Paying Off Your Student Loans

U.S. Visa Holders Have a New Way to Pay Off Student Debt

U.S. visa holders can now refinance with CommonBond.

8 Critical Pieces of Advice I Wish I Knew as a First-Year Lawyer

One Grad Student’s Inspiring Six-Figure Debt Payoff Story

How CommonBond member Paul Hinckley paid off $104,000 in grad school debt.

How a millennial couple teamed up to pay off $100k in student loans over 21 months

CommonBond member Autumn shares her student debt payoff story.

How to Tackle Dental School Debt

Almost all young dentists face confusing choices after graduation because of the significant amount of student loan debt they have from dental school. The key is for dentists to get on solid financial footing so they can start to tackle their student loan debt.

Should you refinance your Parent PLUS loans?

If you took out an expensive Parent PLUS loan to pay for your child’s education, you’re not stuck. Thousands of parents have refinanced with CommonBond to swap out their old Parent PLUS loan for a better, more affordable loan.

How to Transfer Your Parent PLUS Loan to Your Child

This how-to guide walks you through the steps of transferring your Parent PLUS loan to your graduate.

Law Grads: How to Handle Your First Summer with Student Loans

The many distractions of summer – and the demands of a bar prep course – can make it easy to forget about your law school loans as they quietly accrue interest. Don’t be tempted, though: Here are three ways to take control of your finances this summer.

Should I refinance my student loans with a cosigner?

Three benefits of applying with a cosigner that you may not have known about.

How to Find Your Loan Statement

A loan statement has all of the details of your current loan and gives our team the information we need to pay off that loan. In most cases, you can download your most recent loan statement from your current loan servicer.

How Refinancing Student Loans Benefits Your Financial and Physical Health

Leading a healthy lifestyle should extend to your finances, too, as taking certain preventive measures today can actually boost your financial — and physical — wellness in the future.

Why You Should Consider a Startup MBA Internship

This time of year is traditionally when first-year MBA students begin to explore how they want to spend their summers. Here's why MBA students should consider a summer role at a startup, instead of a larger company.

A Student Lender With a Heart: Why I Refinanced My Loans With CommonBond

"Competitive rates, an easy-to-navigate website, and great customer service were all fantastic reasons to choose CommonBond — but the social mission is what I feel the best about."

How to Know If Refinancing Your Student Loans Is Right for You

Here are some ways to know whether or not you should refinance your student loans.

Member Spotlight: 3 Simple Ways to Tackle Your Law School Student Loans

How CommonBond member Eric Chisholm took control of his law school loans.

4 Things to Do Right After Graduating College

Here are four financial steps to take right after getting your degree.

Should I Refinance My Student Loans During the "Grace Period?"

Many student loan repayment plans come with a "grace period" after graduation. Here's what you need to know about refinancing then.

We asked the pros: What are your best money-saving tips?

Here are six money-saving tips from the experts.

Why Now Is the Best Time to Refinance Your Student Loans

There's no better time than right now to refinance your student loans.

4 Real-Life Ways My Partner and I Conquered $60K in Student Loans

CommonBond writer Teresa Ruiz Decker on how she worked with her husband to pay off her student loans.

Should You Refinance with a Fixed-Rate or Variable-Rate Loan?

Which type of refinance loan makes the most sense for you?

We Asked the Pros: What Are Your Best Money-Saving Tips? Part Two

Here are more tips on how to save money in your day-to-day life.

5 Things to Know Before Refinancing Your Student Loans

Done properly, refinancing can be an incredible tool for saving money and getting out of debt quicker. Here's how to do it.

How This First Generation College Student Paid off $60K in Loans

CommonBond member Teresa Ruiz-Decker shares how she paid off $60,000 while getting married, having two children, and finding a home.

What You (and Your Cosigner) Need to Know After College Graduation

If you've cosigned a student loan and graduation is in the rearview mirror, what's the next step? Let's dig into the important things students and co-signers need to know after college comes to an end.