TheScoreGuide Blog
Showing posts tagged with: Student Loans
Income-Driven Repayment Plans in 2026: RAP, IBR, PAYE & What Changed
A lending engineer breaks down every income-driven repayment plan after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the new RAP plan, IBR changes, PAYE/ICR sunsets, and exactly what borrowers should do before the July 2026 deadline.
3/22/2026
TheScoreGuide Editorial Team
Parent PLUS Loans in 2026: Costs, New Caps, and Better Alternatives
A lending engineer breaks down Parent PLUS loans — the 8.94% rate, new $20,000/year borrowing caps under the OBBBA, ICR elimination for new loans after July 2026, repayment options, refinancing strategies, and cheaper alternatives parents should consider first.
3/22/2026
TheScoreGuide Editorial Team
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Complete 2026 Guide to Eligibility, Strategy, and New Rules
The definitive PSLF guide for 2026 — updated eligibility requirements, the July 2026 employer rule change, SAVE wind-down, RAP plan launch, qualifying payment rules, PSLF Buyback, and a step-by-step enrollment strategy.
3/22/2026
TheScoreGuide Editorial Team
Should You Refinance Student Loans in 2026? The Break-Even Calculation
A lending engineer explains the student loan refinancing decision — break-even math, what you lose by refinancing federal loans (including the SAVE plan ending), when private refi makes sense, tax implications, and qualification requirements for 2026.
3/22/2026
TheScoreGuide Editorial Team
Student Loan Interest Rates: How They Work in 2026
A lending engineer explains how student loan interest rates work — the federal rate-setting formula, private lender pricing, capitalization traps, and strategies to minimize interest costs.
3/22/2026
TheScoreGuide Editorial Team
Student Loan Repayment Plans Compared (2026 Guide)
A lending engineer compares every federal student loan repayment plan — Standard, Graduated, Extended, SAVE, PAYE, IBR, ICR, and the new RAP — with real payment calculations, total cost analysis, and the July 2026 transition timeline.
3/22/2026
TheScoreGuide Editorial Team
Student Loans Guide 2026: Repayment, Refinancing & Forgiveness
Expert student loan guides by lending engineers. 2026 legislative changes explained — RAP replaces IDR for new borrowers, forgiveness is taxable again, Graduate PLUS eliminated, new borrowing caps. Repayment plan comparisons, refinancing analysis, PSLF strategy, and interest rate optimization.
3/22/2026
TheScoreGuide Editorial Team