Loan Scenarios and Advice
Advice for your situation
Want some specific advice about your student loan situation and what repayment plan to choose? Look below for said advice, but remember it is important for you to verify this info and make sure it fits your particular situation. Note that this page gives recommendations specifically for borrowers who feel they may have a chance for PSLF. Advice is different if you are certain you'll enter a non-qualifying job at some point.
Also, keep in mind that we use language and descriptions here that assume you are at least passingly familiar with the information from the presentations on the Student Debt page. If something doesn’t make sense, ask us about it and review those presentations while you wait for us to respond.
How to use
this page
The advice is tailored to specific demographics. Find your matching scenario and check out the corresponding advice. We don’t have recommendations (yet) for all possible scenarios; if you can’t find what you are looking for, send us an email. Also, go to our loan repayment calculator and put in your loan balances and interest rate to play with your own numbers.
Choose a Scenario
The Single Resident
Training Level: Resident (or graduating medical student)
Marital Status: Single (or spouse with no significant income)
Current Salary: Trainee level (no other substantial income)
Federal Loan Burden: Medium ($100,000-$150,000) or higher
Expect PSLF?: Yes (or probably/possibly)
Future specialty salary: Low (under $150,000) to Medium ($150,000 to $250,000)
The Married (or soon to be) Borrower
Training Level: Resident, Fellow, or Early-Stage Career
Marital Status: Married or contemplating marriage (spouse with no significant federal student loan debt)
Current Salary: Trainee level through Medium ($200,000 to $275,000)
Federal Loan Burden: Low ($50,000 to $100,000), or higher
Expect PSLF?: Yes (or probably/possibly)
Future specialty salary: Any