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Consumer Credit Counseling Service informs student loan borrowers about new repayment option

Submitted Editorial

Mon, Dec 21st 2015 11:30 am

CCCS explains new pay-as-you-earn program

Submitted by Consumer Credit Counseling Service

Beginning this month, student loan borrowers have a new repayment option to consider, and it could lead to significant relief for an estimated 5 million borrowers.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service is taking steps to share important information about this new program and how it will impact those who are seeking more affordable ways to pay their debt.

"While this new program presents exciting opportunities for student loan borrowers, it may not be the best or only option for people to consider," said Paul C. Atkinson, president and CEO of CCCS. "Selecting the most appropriate repayment plan requires a clear understanding of the benefits and how those are applicable to a person's unique circumstances."

The new program, "Revised Pay As You Earn" (REPAYE), enables borrowers to cap their monthly payments at 10 percent of their discretionary income regardless of when they borrowed or how much they owe. Another benefit is that, after 20 years of making payments (25 years for graduate students), any outstanding loan balance will be forgiven under the program. It's similar to the current "Pay As You Earn" (PAYE) option, but REPAYE is open to all students who borrowed directly from the federal government.

What this means in dollars and sense: The monthly reduction could make a substantial difference for those having trouble making ends meet. Discretionary income for this purpose is calculated as the difference between adjusted gross income (taken from the tax return) and 150 percent of the current poverty line. For this year, that payment would be 10 percent of what is earned over $17,655, divided by 12 months. For instance, a person earning $30,000 a year would see payments capped at a budget-friendly level of about $102.88 a month.

Why now?: The new REPAYE option addresses an overwhelming need to reduce student borrowers' financial stress. That stress is blamed for the delay in home purchases and other life-stage commitments. But of even greater concern is the upward trend in student loan defaults. Those defaults can have a long-lasting impact on a borrower's financial well-being. A record of late or missed loan payments impacts a borrower's credit history by making any new loan requests - for cars or homes - more expensive or just extremely difficult to qualify for.

There is a downside: The downside to this type of repayment option is that, for some borrowers, the monthly payment may not cover both interest and principal payments, which means the balance due could keep growing. That makes it harder to obtain other personal credit - from credit cards to mortgages - because the borrower's credit capacity is exhausted. Another risk is that the lower monthly payment under REPAYE will lead the borrower to pay substantially more over the life of the loan when compared to a standard repayment plan.

The loan forgiveness aspect of the program can also trigger a one-time spike in taxes due. When a balance is forgiven, the amount may be taxed as ordinary income, which can cause an unwelcome boost to a future tax bill. The tax aspect is something President Obama's administration is currently working on. A proposal is being prepared to make forgiven student loan balances tax-free. It will require congressional approval before it can take effect.

With the addition of REPAYE to the federal loan repayment lineup, borrowers now have eight income-based programs to choose from. Because borrowers may be eligible for more than one program combined with the interaction between student loans and other forms of debt, they are encouraged to reach out to an National Foundation for Credit Counseling-certified student loan counselor with Consumer Credit Counseling Service to determine which one would be the most beneficial for their individual circumstances. To get started, consumers can visit www.consumercreditbuffalo.org or call 716-712-2060.

About CCCS

CCCS is a nonprofit, full-service credit counseling agency, providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and credit repayment assistance to consumers since 1965. CCCS helps consumers trim expenses, develop a spending plan and repay debts. Counseling is available at its main office in West Seneca, in one of its satellite offices, by telephone and via Internet. Visit www.consumercreditbuffalo.org for more information.

About the NFCC

Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling is the nation's first and largest nonprofit dedicated to improving people's financial well-being. With 600 member offices serving 50 states and Puerto Rico, its NFCC-certified consumer credit counselors are financial advocates, empowering millions of consumers to take charge of their finances through one-on-one financial reviews that address credit card debt, student loans, housing decisions and overall money management. Call 800-388-2227 or visit nfcc.org.

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