Already have student loans? The right strategy depends on what kind you have. With private loans, you pay them down like any other debt. With federal loans, forgiveness can flip the math, and sometimes the smartest move is paying as little as the rules allow.Branden DuCharme, CFP®, CMT, sits down with David Hessel, CSLP®, CKA®, of Harvest Well Financial Partners, to walk through how income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) actually work.In this episode:

  • Federal vs. private student loans, and why they call for opposite strategies
  • How Income-Based Repayment (IBR) calculates your monthly payment
  • Why a $0 payment can still count toward forgiveness
  • Planning for the tax bill when non-PSLF forgiveness hits
  • How married filing separately and traditional retirement contributions can lower payments
  • The 1.5x debt-to-income rule of thumb for deciding if forgiveness is worth pursuing
  • Why anyone at a government or nonprofit employer should look at PSLF
  • New federal borrowing caps and what they mean for future students

Find David and Harvest Well Financial Partners: https://www.harvestwellfp.com Free calculator mentioned: VIN Foundation Student Loan Repayment Simulator

Rules for these programs changed in 2025–2026. Check current plan details at studentaid.gov before acting.

DISCLAIMER:
Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.


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