Escape Student Loan Debt Podcast

EscapeStudentLoanDebtPodcast l Student Loan Strategies for the Established Professional

Tax filings. Investment structuring. Insurance planning. Purchasing your home. Business funding. For listeners with private and federal loans, the Escape Student Loan Debt podcast demystifies Student Loans, how they impact every single area of your finances, and how to get student loan payments or balances forgiven, reduced, re-organized or expedited. Hosted by Brenton Harrison.

  1. EMERGENCY EPISODE!!!

    16H AGO

    EMERGENCY EPISODE!!!

    EPISODE RESOURCES SAVE Plan Cancellation Press Release SAVE Plan Timeline Press Release Parent Plus Loan D-Day, Disallowed Student Loan Guidelines and Details on the Immediate Future of the SAVE Plan In this episode, we go through EXTREMELY important details on the future of Parent Plus Loans, and why many borrowers need to take action by April 1st in order to preserve eligibility for student loan forgiveness. These borrowers must have a newly consolidated loan disbursed by July 1st to maintain eligibility, and all parents should be wary of borrowing any new Parent Plus Loans after that time. We also cover certain student loan guidelines from the Biden era that have been disallowed, including, crucially, the ability to consolidate federal loans without resetting your credit towards forgiveness. Lastly, for borrowers on the SAVE plan, we have details on the 90 day timeline borrowers will have to move to a new Income Driven Repayment plan or risk being placed on a (likely significantly higher) Standard Plan. Tune in for details!

    22 min
  2. Student Loan Updates | SAVE is Dead, PLUS loans and IDR Backlogs

    MAR 20

    Student Loan Updates | SAVE is Dead, PLUS loans and IDR Backlogs

    SAVE Plan Dissolved, April 1 Deadlines, and Growing IDR/PSLF Backlogs This episode shares several student loan updates, led by a higher court directing a lower court to honor a settlement dissolving the SAVE plan, with no timeline yet for moving SAVE borrowers into other repayment options and speculation ranging from IBR to the standard plan.  We also cover the importance of Parent PLUS borrowers potentially losing access to IDR and PSLF for new loans after July 1 , and why April 1 is the practical deadline for consolidating loans.  A similar urgency applies to borrowers needing Direct Loans (not FFEL/Stafford) for PSLF or certain plans, with consolidation needed by June 30.  The Department Of Education reports an IDR application backlog of over 560,000 and PSLF buyback backlog around 88,000. Lastly we discuss private loans, and the potential impact of the Fed's likely refusal to continue lowering interest rates. 00:00 Save Plan Ends 01:15 Transition Uncertainty 02:30 Parent PLUS Deadline 04:55 Direct Loan Consolidation 06:02 IDR Backlog Update 07:59 PSLF Buyback Delays 09:30 IDR Forgiveness Restart 10:46 Refinancing Rate Outlook 12:03 Wrap Up Next Steps

    13 min
  3. Is SAVE Back From The Dead?

    MAR 6

    Is SAVE Back From The Dead?

    EPISODE RESOURCES Schools Eligible for Discharge SAVE Plan Court Update, Forbearance Strategy, and a Borrower Defense Deadline Ruling This episode provides an update on the still-unlikely revival of the SAVE repayment plan and what borrowers in SAVE administrative forbearance should consider. SAVE, created by the Biden administration and popular for its low payments and generous forgiveness, remains effectively halted: borrowers can’t newly enroll, interest accrues, optional payments don’t earn IDR or PSLF credit, and the plan appears headed toward phase-out by 2028. A recent court development removed the case due to lack of dispute after the parties agreed to end SAVE, creating temporary uncertainty, and we talk about what comes next for those seeking forgiveness and those planning to pay off their loans in full. We also preview the upcoming Repayment Assistance Plan expected mid-2026, noting it may lower payments for families under $100k AGI, and share a separate court ruling granting loan discharges for certain defrauded-student applicants after the Department of Education missed a deadline. 00:00 Save Plan Update 00:58 Why Save Is Stuck 02:02 Court Twist Explained 03:22 Is Save Coming Back 04:46 Stay or Exit Forbearance 06:26 Best Backup Repayment Plans 07:05 Repayment Assistance Preview 09:15 Borrower Defense Ruling 10:42 Wrap Up and Next Episode

    11 min
  4. Student Loan Updates! | PAYE Forgiveness, New(ish) Consolidation Rules + More

    FEB 20

    Student Loan Updates! | PAYE Forgiveness, New(ish) Consolidation Rules + More

    EPISODE RESOURCES RISE Committee Document Federal Student Loan Updates: RISE Committee Proposals, New Borrowing Limits, Parent PLUS Deadlines, and Forgiveness Processing In this episode, we highlight the major proposed changes—including creation of the Repayment Assistance Plan, removal of ICR and PAYE, changes to SAVE, limits on graduate and undergraduate borrowing, and restrictions on Parent PLUS—that are in a public comment period tied to rules stemming from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Key items discussed from the RISE committee include new borrowing caps effective for programs starting July 1, 2026 or later. We also explain consolidation-credit rules: after periods where consolidation used the highest-count loan (Biden-era), then a weighted average, then a reset-to-zero approach, the RISE committee recommends returning to weighted average (though rules are not yet finalized and borrowers should be cautious).  Additonal topics include spousal/joint consolidation loans, Parent PLUS strategies and deadlines 00:00 Student Loan News You Need This Week (Intro) 00:17 Tonight’s One-Take Episode + What’s on the Agenda 01:44 RISE Committee Rules: Public Comment & What’s Changing 02:51 New Grad/Undergrad Borrowing Limits (Starting July 2026) 07:00 Parent PLUS Borrowing Caps: New Annual & Lifetime Limits 07:21 Consolidation Credit Update: Weighted Average vs. Reset to Zero 10:04 Spousal Consolidation Loans: Separation & PSLF Credit Fixes 12:23 Default/Garnishment Payments Potentially Counting Toward Forgiveness 13:03 Parent PLUS Strategy & July 1 Deadlines (IDR/PSLF Access) 15:34 ICR & PAYE Forgiveness Processing Restarts + 2026 Tax Bomb 18:25 Wrap-Up: What to Watch Next & When the Next Update Drops

    19 min
  5. Student Loans and Taxes: What You Can't Miss

    FEB 6

    Student Loans and Taxes: What You Can't Miss

    Optimizing Your Student Loan Payments and Understanding Key Tax Strategies This episode of the Escape Student Loan Debt Podcast is a dual-cast with The New Money New Problems Podcast to discuss crucial tax strategies for student loan borrowers.  We touch on how Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) impacts Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and explain the significance of above the line tax deductions. Brenton delves into the complexities that married individuals with disparate incomes might face when filing taxes and how this affects student loan payments.  The episode also covers common tax forms and mistakes, itemized versus standard deductions, benefits of home ownership in tax planning, and various tax credits like the Child and Dependent Care Credit and education credits. 01:06 Understanding Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) 02:49 Filing Taxes: Married vs. Single 09:54 Common Tax Forms and Mistakes 16:36 Above the Line Tax Deductions 18:13 Standard vs. Itemized Deductions 27:30 Tax Credits Explained 31:29 Conclusion and Final Advice

    32 min
  6. Student Loan Updates! | IBR Updates, Loan Rehabilitation, Forgiveness Tracking

    JAN 23

    Student Loan Updates! | IBR Updates, Loan Rehabilitation, Forgiveness Tracking

    EPISODE RESOURCES Read the Dept of Ed Announcement on Wage Garnishment Try the Reddit Backdoor Payment Tracker Download our Guide to IDR Plans   Essential Updates on Federal and Private Student Loans: January '26 In this episode of the Escape Student Loan Debt Podcast, we share updates on federal and private student loans in January 2026. Key topics include the delay of wage garnishments for defaulted loans, the elimination of the partial financial hardship requirement for income-based repayment plans, and the discontinuation of the forgiveness tracker on studentaid.gov.  Additionally, we cover the Department of Education's stance on student loan forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans and the impact of international politics on private loan interest rates.  Tune in for information to help on your student loan journey! 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:03 Wage Garnishments Update 04:39 The Death of the Forgiveness Tracker 09:38 Partial Financial Hardship Removal 12:28 Fate of the SAVE Plan 16:34 Forgiveness Updates and Delays 18:39 Impact of International Politics on Loan Interest Rates 19:34 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

    20 min

  7. JAN 9

    College, Retirement and Real-Life Financial Goals [REPLAY]

    Navigating the Big Beautiful Bill Act: Strategies for Student Loan Borrowers EPISODE RESOURCES The Smart College Buyer Podcast The Smart College Buyer YouTube Check out this replay from our appearance on The Smart College Buyer podcast hosted by Jack Wang. The conversation focuses on changes brought by the Big Beautiful Bill Act and their impact on student loans and financial planning. Key topics include the importance of understanding Income Driven Repayment plans, the strategic use of financial tools to lower student loan payments, and the crucial dates of July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2028, for student loan borrowers. Brenton and Jack also discuss the interconnected nature of financial decisions, the importance of liquidity, and the practicality of transparent conversations about career paths and education costs. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:10 Rebroadcast of Smart College Buyer Podcast 02:52 Meet Brenton Harrison 07:13 Understanding the Big Beautiful Bill Act 13:47 Financial Strategies for Parents and Students 25:33 Tips for Managing Student Loan Repayment 31:02 Final Thoughts and Advice 34:45 Conclusion and Farewell

    36 min
  8. The SAVE Plan is Dead: What Comes Next?

    12/19/2025

    The SAVE Plan is Dead: What Comes Next?

    EPISODE RESOURCES ESLD Guide to Income Driven Repayment Plans SAVE Settlement Details Navigating the End of the SAVE Plan: What's Next for Your Student Loans? In this episode we talk the end of the SAVE Repayment plan and explore the implications for borrowers. Find out who benefits from different Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and the importance of immediately switching plans for those eligible for forgiveness. Between alternative IDR plan options, changing federal policies, and important deadlines, this episode equips listeners with crucial information to make informed financial decisions regarding their federal student loans. 00:41 Understanding the Impact of Forbearance 02:51 Settlement and the Future of the SAVE Plan 06:27 Income Driven Repayment Plans: Options and Changes 15:29 Urgent Actions for Loan Forgiveness 20:49 Conclusion: Preparing for the Future

    22 min
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About

Tax filings. Investment structuring. Insurance planning. Purchasing your home. Business funding. For listeners with private and federal loans, the Escape Student Loan Debt podcast demystifies Student Loans, how they impact every single area of your finances, and how to get student loan payments or balances forgiven, reduced, re-organized or expedited. Hosted by Brenton Harrison.

Information

  • Creator
    EscapeStudentLoanDebtPodcast l Student Loan Strategies for the Established Professional
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Escape Student Loan Debt Podcast
  • Show Website
    Escape Student Loan Debt Podcast

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