Posted on December 19, 2008 at 11:57 am Hi there, I have been researching how to quickly pay off my student loans and though I would like to share what I have found.

Posted on December 28, 2008 at 11:15 am The problem is that students are graduating with increasing amounts of debt - far and away more than they can afford to pay on entry level salaries.  So the minimum payments are already too much.  Makes it almost impossble to pay more than that - so the loans linger on.

Posted on January 1, 2009 at 3:45 am One of the major problems is that college students are trying to carry on their high school lifestyles of having the weekends/evenings free.  You can't do this, live off campus, and have a manageable debt load upon college graduation.Instead of managing student loans, we should be teaching student the importance of managing their time before managing their debts.  Sure, that extra time during college feels nice as we're relaxing in our apartment instead of working, but is it worth the extra payments tacked onto the student loan?  Looking back, I don't think so!

Posted on March 9, 2009 at 7:04 pm My student loans are on deferrment, and more than likely will be for at least another year.  I do hope to make a considerable dent in the amount I owe at that time. Upromise has a program where you can apply money towards your current loans, and I think they pay out directly to the institution every six months.  None of my banks where I received the loan are covered, but it might be something that you would want to check into.

Posted on March 14, 2009 at 5:56 pm I just wish I could get a job period!  One where I can get at least a smidgen of respect.

Posted on March 19, 2009 at 1:47 am The best way to pay off student loan is a part time job. But now in the troubled times it is not easy to get a job.

Posted on March 19, 2009 at 3:35 am yes.the best thing to do to pay off the loan is a part time job.

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 8:12 pm I agree with a part-time job. It may not be easy to go to school AND work, but like an above poster said, you cannot expect to carry on your high school lifestyle in college if you are there via loans. I just went back to college this semester. Unfortunately I made too much money in 2007 to qualify for subsidized loans so I have begun paying interest already. Luckily the loan interest is fixed and is not high- about $65 per quarter. I pay at least $40 per month on my account (usually more), about twice as much in a quarter as the interest I accrue. You have to make sure to choose the option of "apply extra towards principle." If you don't, the default setting is to just push back your next due date- pointless if you're already paying early!

Posted on March 23, 2009 at 2:20 am Student loans are a catch 22. Better to use savings and get grants when possible.

Posted on March 23, 2009 at 4:13 pm These are great tips! Thank you. A few of them though, I wish I had known a few years ago..lol