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Understanding Your Student Loan Promissory Note

Generally speaking, promissory notes are legally binding contracts that state the terms of a loan, such as the amount to be repaid, the interest rate that will be charged, and any other important terms and conditions of that particular loan.

A student loan promissory note is no different; you’ll be required to sign one, accepting the terms of your student loan(s) before the lender disburses your money.

If a student loan promissory note sounds super important, that’s because it is. You can think of it as your student loan contract. Like any legal contract, it’s important to know the nuances of what you’re signing. Here’s what you should know about student loan promissory notes and master promissory notes.

What Is a Student Loan Promissory Note?

A promissory note is your student loan contract. It details the terms and conditions of that loan, as well as any rights and responsibilities you have as a borrower. Both federal student loans — loans backed by the U.S. government — and private student loans require that you sign a promissory note.

With private student loans, borrowers will generally be required to sign a promissory note for each student loan they borrow, because each loan’s terms and conditions may be different. Federal student loan borrowers may have the option to sign just one master promissory note.

What Is a Master Promissory Note?

Borrowers with federal student loans may be able to sign just one master promissory note. If eligible, a master promissory note covers all federal loans borrowed for a period of 10 years. There are versions of the master promissory note for both students borrowing Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans and a version for borrowers who are using Direct PLUS Loans.

Whether you’ll be able to sign a master promissory note is determined by the school you attend and the types of federal loans you have. Some schools do not offer the option to have students sign a master promissory note that covers borrowing over multiple years.

So be certain to understand what your school allows, and whether you need to sign multiple promissory notes or one master promissory note. The financial aid office at your college should be able to guide you through the process.

What to Look for on a Student Loan Promissory Note

Understanding the terms and conditions of a student loan promissory note is akin to understanding the terms of student loans. Here are some important items to consider on your loan, and note:

Federal vs Private Student Loan Promissory Note

First, it is important to know what type of loan you have — especially when it comes to federal vs. private student loans. Federal loans will have different terms than private loans, which are loans accessed through an independent bank, credit union, or other lender.

Repayment Options

Federal loans come with some options to help you manage your debt post-graduation, such as student loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment. If you have federal loans and access to multiple repayment plans, take some time to understand the ins and outs of different plans.

Deferment Options

Federal loans may also offer options for student loan deferment, which would allow you to suspend making payments during periods of economic hardship, immediately after you leave school, etc. Private loans may also offer some deferment options, but every lender is different, so you’ll need to check your note.

Recommended: How Student Loan Deferment Works

Interest Rate: Fixed vs Variable

The interest rate is a percentage of the principal loan amount that the borrower is charged for borrowing money. Be certain to understand the interest rate on your student loans, and whether that rate is fixed or variable. Federal student loans have fixed interest rates.

Private student loans may offer variable rates. If the rate is variable, it is possible that it will increase in the future, which would also increase your monthly payments. Be especially wary of private loans that offer introductory rate offers that later expire — they could end up costing you quite a bit of money.

Student Loan Fees

In addition to the loan’s interest rate, a student loan promissory note should include information on any additional costs, such as a loan fee (also known as an origination fee). Student loan fees will vary by lender, so be sure to check yours. Sometimes a loan fee is deducted directly from the amount that is disbursed.

Prepayment Penalties

Student loans — both private and federal — are not allowed to have prepayment penalties. Making prepayments on the principal value of the loan could help reduce the amount of money you owe in interest over the life of the loan.

Cosigner Requirements and Removal

With some loans, especially private loans, you may be required to have a cosigner. (That’s because private loans rely on your — or your cosigner’s — creditworthiness to determine the terms of your loan. Federal loans do not.) Upon graduation, some borrowers want to release their cosigner of the responsibility of having their name on the loan, so you may want to find out whether that’s a possibility.

How Funds Can Be Allocated

Some loans may require that the money is spent only on designated expenses, such as books or tuition. If you’re looking to upgrade your apartment, you might not be allowed to do so using student loan funds. Make sure to check on any stipulations on how you can spend the money.

When Is the Promissory Note Signed?

In general, borrowers will need to sign the promissory note for their loans before receiving any funds. Students who are borrowing federal student loans are able to sign their master promissory note online by logging into their federal student loan account. The student’s school should provide additional information for accessing the master promissory note.

Private lenders may have their own policies for signing a promissory note, it’s helpful to check in directly with the lender if you have any questions.

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What if a Promissory Note Is Not Signed?

For federal loans, a signed promissory note is required before the loan is disbursed. So, failing to sign the promissory note could mean you won’t receive your funds, or at least won’t receive them until the promissory note is signed.

A promissory note is also generally required for private student loans, though each lender may have their own application requirements.

Do You Need a New Promissory Note Every Year?

You may be required to sign a new promissory note each year, but this may depend on your school’s policies and the loan types you are borrowing. For federal loans, some colleges require students to sign a promissory note each year.

Additionally, if you are taking out a new loan type from one year to the next, you’ll need to sign a new promissory note.

Private lenders typically require borrowers to sign a new promissory note for each loan they borrow.

Do Your Parents Need to Sign?

If you are borrowing a private student loan and your parents are acting as a cosigner, your parents signature may be required.

For most federal student loans, the student is the primary borrower and their parent’s signature is not required.
If your parents are borrowing a Direct PLUS Loan to help pay for your college education, they would be required to sign a promissory note in that case.

How Long Does the Master Promissory Note Process Take?

Each school will determine the process for signing a Master Promissory Note. You may be required to complete the promissory note in one setting and the process can take around 30 minutes. Check in with your financial aid office if you have any questions about the promissory note process or requirements at your school.

Understanding Your Options

If you haven’t picked up on it already, knowing how student loans work and understanding your student loan contract is the name of the game. Taking out a student loan can be a huge financial commitment and shouldn’t be done without careful consideration — which means knowing what’s on that promissory note.

Before going to sign your student loan promissory note, it’s also a good idea to spend some time thinking about your financial goals. A good place to start is by looking at how much you’ll take out in loans, total, and comparing that to how much money you can expect to make after you graduate from school. Use a student loan calculator to get an idea of what your monthly payments could be given your total debt and the interest rate.

Rarely is it financially sound to take out more in loans than you absolutely need. It might seem like Monopoly money now, but this is all money that you’ll have to pay back, with interest. The repayment process can be painstaking, especially as a person early in their career or during a setback, like layoffs or a health issue. Taking out the bare minimum in student loans may mean working part-time in college, exploring more affordable college options, or continuing to apply for scholarships after you’re enrolled.

Once you’ve graduated, keep in mind that refinancing your student loans is a way for some graduates to lower the interest rates on their loans or lower their monthly payments. Refinancing is a process where your existing loans are consolidated and paid off with a new loan from a private lender.

Generally, the borrower has the option to keep the same repayment schedule or increase or decrease the amount of time left on their loan. (Increasing the duration of a loan may result in paying more interest over time, whereas decreasing the duration of a loan may result in higher monthly payments, but less interest paid overall.)

If you’re planning on using your federal loans’ flexible repayment plans or student loan forgiveness programs, refinancing with a private lender may not be the right choice for you as you will lose access to those federal benefits. However, some private lenders, like SoFi, offer protections to borrowers who lose their jobs or experience economic hardship. SoFi even provides career counseling to help their borrowers get back on track.

The Takeaway

A student loan promissory note is a contract between the borrower and the lender that details the loan’s terms and conditions and where the borrower promises to repay the loan. Federal student loan borrowers may be able to sign just one master promissory note, which will cover all federal loans for a period of up to 10 years. Private lenders generally require a promissory note for each individual loan.

Understanding the terms and conditions of your loan when signing of the promissory note can help you set your expectations for borrowing and ultimately repaying your student loans.

Whether you need help paying for school or help paying off the loans you already have, SoFi offers competitive interest rates and great member benefits as well.

See what you’re prequalified for in just a few minutes.

FAQ

Do you have to do a master promissory note every year?

For federal student loans, you won’t necessarily be required to sign a master promissory note every year. If you are borrowing a new loan type, you will need to sign a new promissory note.

How do you get your student promissory note?

For federal loans, your school will have instructions for accessing your student loan master promissory note. Generally, this can be accessed online.

If you are borrowing private student loans, the lender will manage the process.

How long does it take for a master promissory note to process?

For federal student loans it can take about 30 minutes to complete the master promissory note. It may take the loan servicer a few days to process the master promissory note.

The process for private student loans will be determined by the individual lender.


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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.


SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Return on Education for Bachelor’s Degrees

If you’re thinking about going to college, or you have a child who is, you’ve probably experienced a fair amount of sticker shock when considering the cost of attending different schools.

Though a college education is an investment in the future — as with any investment, it’s important to consider what you’ll get in return to determine if it’s worth it. While it’s important to weigh the cost of college against future income and earning potential, there are also intangibles to consider, things like friendships, network building, and other soft skills.

This guide and benchmark aren’t official measures and they’re not set in stone by any means; we know there are many reasons to get an education, many of which can’t be (and probably shouldn’t be) measured and quantified. This guide is meant to offer tips to help in a challenging and competitive working world. Your mileage — and your life’s path — may vary!

Average Costs of a Degree

Choosing the right college is a multifaceted decision. Considerations include where the school is located, whether it has programs that meet your interests, what student culture is like, and, of course, price.

The price tag for college can be jaw dropping. The total cost for tuition, fees, and room and board at a private non-profit four-year college can set you back more than $38,070 per year on average.

Head to an elite private school like Columbia University in New York and tuition and fees can be upward of
$60,000 per year. At a public four-year college, you can expect to pay an average of about $10,000 per year in tuition and fees, which is cheaper, but still nothing to sniff at.

Return on Investment by Education Level

One way to make this consideration is by looking at the ratio of the cost of your degree to your expected income once you graduate. Your return on education is much like a traditional return on investment calculation, which looks at the ratio between net profit and cost from investing resources.

In this case, time and money are the resources you’re investing, and your future income is the profit. The return on investment for your education will depend largely on how much you spend on your schooling, what type of job you get after school, and to a certain extent, what you major in.

Associate’s Degree Return on Investment

Associate’s degrees can typically be completed in one to two years and often at a community college, which can make them more affordable than other four-year degrees. According to data from Education Data Initiative, the return on investment for an associates degree is 363.5% after 20 years.

Bachelor’s Degree Return on Investment

Bachelor’s degrees typically take students four years to complete. According to Education Data Initiative, the return on investment for a bachelor’s degree is 38.1% after 20 years. Though this estimated return on investment can vary greatly based on the major you pursue. For example, computer science degrees offer an ROEd of 716.6%.

Master’s Degree Return on Investment

A Master’s degree can be completed after a student receives their Bachelor’s degree. This degree allows the student to specialize in a specific area of interest, such as those who pursue a Master in Business Administration. The return on investment for a master’s degree is 90.1% after 20 years, according to Education Data Initiative.

Doctoral Degree Return on Investment

A doctoral degree is generally the most advanced degree one can get in a particular field. Doctorate degrees can take up to eight years to complete, though the exact timing will vary depending on factors like the program type, structure, and research being completed by the doctoral candidate. The estimated return on investment for doctorate degrees is 84.0% after 20 years according to Education Data Initiative.

Professional Degree Return on Investment

Professional degrees are advanced degrees that prepare a student to work in a particular field, for example law or pharmacy. After 20 years, the return on investment for a professional degree is 60.4%, according to Education Data Initiative.

Highest Earning Degrees

The return on education will vary depending on the degree program you chose. For example, a student with a computer science degree may earn more than an English major. There are of course exceptions, but it’s a good idea to understand the norm for particular fields. These are some of the high-earning degrees by level.

Associate’s Degrees

As mentioned, an associate’s degree takes about two years to complete and can often be finished at a community college for significantly less than it may cost to get a four-year degree. Associate’s degrees often allow students to specialize in a specific trade or field. And in some cases this specialization can lead to a high-earning career.

One of the top-earners post-associate degree are air traffic controllers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Air traffic controllers earn a median income of over $129,000.

Dental hygienists, MRI technicians, and funeral service managers all earn an average salary of $70,000 or higher, making them top associates degrees based on earning potential.

Bachelor’s Degrees

According to Best Colleges, some of the bachelor degrees with the highest earning potential include petroleum engineering, aeronautics and astronautics, computer science, electrical engineering, and public accounting.

For example in 2021, petroleum engineers earned a median salary of $130,850. Accountants and Auditors earned a median salary of $77,250 per year, according to the BLS.

Certifications

Some people may consider adding a certification to their resume in order to boost their earning potential. Professional organizations often award certifications for specific skill sets. Some top earning and in-demand certifications include those for project management or data engineering.

Bachelor’s Degree ROI by Major

The return on investment can vary quite a bit based on the type of bachelor degree pursued. As mentioned, computer science degrees have some of the best return on investment for Bachelor’s degrees — about 716.6% over 40 years, according to Education Data Initiative. Take a look below at a list of majors and their estimated return on investment after 40 years, according to Education Data Initiative:

•   Business finance — 710.2%

•   Business accounting — 547.2%

•   Electrical engineering — 517.8%

•   Biology — 225.0%

•   Communications — 209.3%

•   Architecture — 188.6%

•   Art Degree — 70.5%

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Consider What Can’t Be Measured by Money

Yes, going to college or pursuing other higher education opportunities can be expensive. But in addition to the cost and potential boost in earning potential, there are a variety of intangible benefits that can’t be measured by a dollar. For example, college students living on campus are gaining a newfound independence and developing life skills they’ll carry with them.

College might be when a student learns how to budget or applies for their first credit card. SoFi’s Ca$h Course: A Student’s Guide to Money is filled with strategies, ideas, and tools to help college students manage their finances.

Plus, many colleges have strong alumni networks that can help when a student is looking for a job post-grad. Students have the chance to not only get to know themselves better, but in the process they may make life-long friends.

Controlling Costs

One way to improve return on investment is to lower the amount of money you are paying for school. This could be particularly useful if you already know you want to pursue a career in a relatively low paying field.

Scholarships

One way to offset the cost of tuition is to look for scholarship programs that help pay your tuition or other college costs. Many schools offer need-based financial aid to families who might otherwise struggle to pay tuition costs. In some cases, you could even get a full ride.

You can find scholarships by looking at your school’s financial aid website, connecting with your guidance counselor, or reviewing databases or online scholarship search tools.

In some cases you may be able to apply for unclaimed scholarships to help supplement the aid you have already received.

Grants

Students may qualify for grants directly from their school or through federal financial aid. Grants typically do not require repayment so they can be an incredibly helpful addition to a student’s financial toolkit when it comes to paying for college. Pell Grants are one type of grant awarded by the federal government to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.

Recommended: What Are Pell Grants?

Pell Grants are usually only available to undergraduate students. In order to maintain eligibility for a Pell Grant, undergrads will also be required to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements.

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

If you need to take out student loans to help pay for college, keep an eye on your terms and interest rates to help you keep costs down. If you take out federal loans and plan to work for certain non-profits or government organizations, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. After making 10 years worth of qualifying monthly payments, the remaining balance of your loan may be forgiven through this program.

Private Student Loans

Private student loans don’t qualify for federal benefits like PSLF, but they can be helpful tools for students who have exhausted their federal financial aid option.

If you are interested in paying for college or another higher education degree with a private student loan, take the time to shop around and review interest rates, terms, and other fees or benefits offered by lenders. For more information on evaluating loan options, take a look at SoFi’s private student loan guide.

Employer Support After Graduation

Finally, some employers may also help you pay back your student loans as part of a benefits package. Consider working for an employer who offers these benefits.

The Takeaway

College students can estimate the return on their educational investment by looking at how much they’ll pay for their degree and comparing it to their lifetime earnings. Though important, the money you’ll eventually earn isn’t the only thing you should consider when choosing a college. Getting a bachelor’s degree can help you acquire skills and expand your horizons in ways that aren’t directly related to your degree or job prospects.

When you decide on the right school for you, take the time to consider all your options — including scholarships, grants, federal and private student loans, post-graduation repayment programs, and other sources of public and private funding — to help you achieve your education and career goals.

Visit SoFi to learn more about how to pay for college and whether SoFi’s private student loans can help.


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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Your 6-Step Plan for Managing Student Loansand the Tools to Help You Do It_780x440

5 Things to Do to Manage Your Student Loans in 2023

Editor's Note: For the latest developments regarding federal student loan debt repayment, check out our student debt guide.

Wondering how to handle your student loans? Knowledge and a solid plan are powerful — especially when it comes to your loans. The first step in managing student debt is to know how much you owe and keep tabs on the terms.

Then, take a look at loan forgiveness options. With an understanding of how much you owe, you can make progress toward repaying your debts.

5 Things to Help Manage Student Debt

These five high level tips can help you figure out how to handle your student loans. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, SoFi offers a full library of student loan resources with tips and strategies to help you deal with your student loans.

1. Know What You Owe

The first step in tackling your student loan debt is knowing exactly how much you owe, and the terms associated with each loan. It can be scary to meet your loan debt head-on, but you can’t take steps to get out of debt until you know exactly how much you owe.

This can help inform how much you’ll pay each month and how long it will take to pay off your debt. SoFi’s student loan payoff calculator will give you an idea of your loan payoff date.

If you aren’t sure, find out if you have a combination of federal and private student loans. Confirm your loan servicer and identify the monthly due dates for loan payments. Federal student loans come with some benefits like a six-month grace period and protections like deferment options. SoFi’s student loan help center has additional resources detailing the differences between private and student loans and much more.

2. Find Out If You Qualify for Biden’s Loan Forgiveness Plan

In August 2022, President Biden announced his loan forgiveness plan. He also announced the final extension of the pause on student loan payments that has been in effect since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal student loan payments are set to resume in January 2023.

Under Biden’s forgiveness plan, federal student loan borrowers earning up to $125,000 (as individuals) or $250,000 for those filing jointly may qualify for up to $10,000 in forgiveness. Pell Grant recipients may qualify for up to $20,000 in forgiveness.

Amounts forgiven under this plan will not be considered taxable on the federal level. Some states have announced that they will charge income tax on forgiven amounts.

The application is expected to go live in October 2022. Borrowers can make sure that their contact information is accurate in their Student Aid account to receive updates. You can also opt in for text alerts here.

The application for loan forgiveness will be open until December 2023.

Private student loans do not qualify for federal loan forgiveness programs.

3. Choose a Payment Plan

Federal student loan borrowers can change their repayment plan at any time without incurring any fees. Here’s a brief overview on the different types of plans:

•   Standard Repayment Plan spreads payments evenly over 10 years. The extended plan.

•   Graduated Repayment Plan. On this plan payments start lower and then gradually increase over time. Repayment takes place over 10 years.

•   Extended Repayment Plan can have either fixed or graduated payments and repayment takes place over 10 years.

•   Income-Driven Repayment Plans. There are four types of income-driven repayment plans that tie a borrower’s income to their loan payments. Repayment takes place over 20 or 25 years. At the end of the repayment period, the remaining balance is forgiven (though this amount may be taxable).

This may also be a good time to evaluate whether or not you want to pursue a loan forgiveness plan like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Individuals who work for a qualifying nonprofit may qualify to have their loans forgiven after making 120 on-time payments. Amounts forgiven under PSLF are generally not considered taxable income.

Consider Student Loan Refinancing

If you have private student loans, the repayment terms for them were likely set at the time you borrowed the loan. Student loan refinancing is one option that could allow you to adjust the terms on your loans. Keep in mind that extending your loan terms generally results in lower monthly payments, but may increase the amount of interest you owe over the life of the loan.

Unlike consolidation through the federal government, a borrower may secure a more competitive interest rate through refinancing which could potentially reduce the amount of money a borrower owes over the life of their loan. Learn more about consolidating vs. refinancing.

If refinancing is intriguing, you can take a look at this student loan refinancing calculator to see how your loan may change if you refinance. Note that refinancing federal loans will eliminate them from any federal benefits or programs, including forgiveness programs.

4. Automate Loan Payments

Setting up automatic payments with your loan servicer is one of the easiest ways to make sure you never miss a payment. Most loan servicers will let you set up automatic payments within your account online. If you’re having trouble, contact your loan servicer.

5. Make a Big Picture Budget

It’s easy to get tunnel vision when you are so focused on student loan repayment. So keep in mind that student loans are only part of your overall financial picture.

Take the time to budget and make room for other financial goals, like saving for retirement. In addition to budgeting monthly for food, entertainment and utilities, you might have a car loan and rent or a mortgage to pay. Personal finance tools like SoFi Relay can help you track your spending and income, so you can stay on top of your financial goals.

Recommended: Student Loan Refinancing Guide

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The Takeaway

How to manage student loans? The first priority is knowing exactly what you owe. Choose the repayment plan that works for you, and take advantage of Biden’s recently announced loan forgiveness program if you qualify.

You can always reevaluate your current pay-off strategy or loan terms. Some may find that refinancing — combining all loans into one new private loan, with a new, hopefully, lower, interest rate and/or new term — may make sense for their personal situation.

If refinancing student loans seems appealing, it’s easy to check your rate. When you sign up for any SoFi product and become a member, you gain access to a range of exclusive SoFi member benefits like career coaching.


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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


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If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

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Budgeting for New Nurses

Budgeting as a New Nurse

Editor's Note: For the latest developments regarding federal student loan debt repayment, check out our student debt guide.


The member’s experience below is not a typical member representation. While their story is extraordinary and inspirational, not all members should expect the same results.

When Jennifer S. clocked in on her first day of work as a nurse at a major hospital in the South, she remembers thinking, “I’ve got this.” And she did. Nursing school had prepared her well for working in the emergency room.

She felt less confident about navigating her finances, however. Jennifer had to figure out how to balance her living expenses and long-term goals with $40,000 in nursing student loans—while earning $25 an hour.

She cooked meals at home and kept her expenses low. Jennifer also created a monthly nursing budget to help organize her finances. “I saw that I should start saving a little extra during the second half of the month, when I usually had leftover money, in case I needed it for the next month’s bills,” she says.

In addition, Jennifer discovered ways she could make extra money. Consider this nursing budget example: She switched to overnight shifts making an additional $7,000 a year. When a hurricane hit her state, she worked around the clock at the hospital for a week—and earned roughly $6,000, which she put toward a down payment on a home. The hospital paid her an extra $14 per hour during the early days of the pandemic. And she routinely picked up per diem and travel assignments.

Why You Need a Nursing Budget

It’s an interesting time to be a nurse. On one hand, staffing shortages and burnout worsened during the pandemic. The rising cost of higher education, including how to pay for nursing school, has resulted in a growing number of students graduating with debt. According to the latest figures from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), roughly 70% of nurses take out loans to pay for school, and the median student loan debt is between $40,000 and $55,000.

On the plus side, nurses have some leverage. The profession is in such high demand right now that some hospitals are offering incentives like sign-on bonuses, relocation costs, and student loan repayments.

And in general, nurses can earn a good salary. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a registered nurse in 2021 is $77,600. The median income for a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse is $48,070. The median income for a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner– fields that typically require a master’s degree–is $123,780 per year. Nurses who are willing and able to take on additional shifts, work overnight, or accept lucrative travel assignments stand to make even more.

If you’re a new nurse who is figuring out your finances, a nursing budget is a good place to start. But there are other steps to take as well. Here’s how to make the most of the money you earn to achieve your financial goals.

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Doctor

Watch Your Spending

With different ways to supplement your income as a nurse, it can be easy to give in to overspending. “When I was doing travel assignments, I just kept working,” Jennifer says. “At the time, I didn’t realize it would stop, so I didn’t think to save as much as I could have.”

In fact, lifestyle creep can be a common pitfall, especially when you start earning more money, says Brian Walsh, CFP, senior manager, financial planning for SoFi. Spending more on nonessentials as your income rises can potentially wreak havoc on your savings goals and financial health. That’s why budgeting for nurses is so important.

While you’re starting to establish your spending habits, Walsh recommends using cash or a debit card for purchases. Automate your finances whenever possible by doing things like pre-scheduling bill payments.

Develop Your Savings Strategy

A sound savings plan can help you make progress toward your short- and long-term goals and provide a sense of security. Walsh suggests nurses set aside 20% of their income for retirement and other savings, like building up an emergency fund that can cover three to six months’ worth of your total living expenses. He recommends placing it in an easy-to-access vehicle, like money market funds, short-term bonds, CDs, or a high-yield savings account. The remaining 80% of your income should go toward lifestyle expenses, including monthly student loan payments.

Jennifer found success by adopting a set-it-and-forget-it approach to saving. “Whenever I worked a per diem shift, I got in the habit of putting $100 or $200 of every check into a savings account,” she says. Before long, she had a decent-sized nest egg and peace of mind.

Explore Different Investments

One simple way to build up savings is to contribute to your employer’s 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan, if one is available to you, and tap into a matching funds program. There’s a limit to how much you can contribute annually to one of these plans. In 2022, the amount is $20,500; if you’re 50 or older, you can contribute up to an additional $6,500, for a total of $27,000.

If you don’t have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, there are other ways to save for the future. “Start by figuring out what your targeted savings goal is,” Walsh says. If you’re going to save a few thousand dollars, you can consider a traditional IRA or Roth IRA. Both can offer tax advantages.

Contributions made to a traditional IRA are tax-deductible, and no taxes are due until you withdraw the money. Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars; your money grows tax-free and you don’t pay taxes when you withdraw the funds. However, there are limits on how much you can contribute each year and on your income.

But ideally, Walsh says, you’re saving more than a few thousand dollars for retirement. If that’s the case, then a Simplified Employee Pension IRA (SEP IRA) may be worth considering. “Depending on how your employment status is set up, a SEP IRA could be a very good vehicle because the total contributions can be just like they are with an employer-sponsored plan, but you control how much to contribute, up to a limit,” he says. What’s more, contributions are tax-deductible, and you won’t pay taxes on growth until you withdraw the money when you retire.

Another option is a health savings account (HSA), which may be available if you have a high deductible health plan. HSAs provide a triple tax benefit: contributions reduce taxable income, earnings are tax-free, and money used for qualified medical expenses is also tax-free.

Depending on your financial goals, you may also want to consider after-tax brokerage accounts. They offer no tax benefits but give you the flexibility to withdraw money at any time without being taxed or penalized.

Recommended: Exploring Different Types of Investments

Take Control of Your Student Loans

Chances are, you have different priorities competing for a piece of your paycheck, and nursing school loans are one of them. You may need to start repaying loans six months after graduation, and options vary based on the type of loan you have.

If you have federal loans and need extra help making payments, for example, you can look into a loan forgiveness program or an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, which can lower monthly payments for eligible borrowers based on their income and household size. If you’re struggling to make payments, you may qualify for a student loan deferment or a forbearance. Both options temporarily suspend your payments, but interest will continue to accrue and add to your total balance.

You should also be aware that the Biden administration’s new federal student loan forgiveness plan extends the pause on federal loan payments through December 31, 2022. In addition, the program cancels up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for individuals who make less than $125,000 a year ($250,000 for married couples) and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients who qualify.

Chipping away at a student loan debt can feel overwhelming. And while there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, there are a couple of different approaches you may want to consider. With the avalanche approach, you prioritize debt repayment based on interest rate, from highest to lowest. With the snowball approach, you pay off the smallest balance first and then work your way up to the highest balance.

While both have their benefits, Walsh says he often sees greater success with the snowball approach. “Most people should start with paying off the smallest balance first because then they’ll see progress, and progress leads to persistence,” he explains. But, he adds, the right approach is the one you can stick with.

Consider Whether Student Loan Refinancing Is Right For You

When you refinance, a private lender pays off your existing loans and issues you a new loan. This combines all of your loans into a single monthly bill, potentially reduces your monthly payments, and may give you a chance to lock in a lower interest rate than you’re currently paying. A quarter of a percentage point difference in an interest rate could translate into meaningful savings if you have a big loan balance, Walsh points out.

Still, refinancing your student loans may not be right for everyone. By choosing to refinance federal student loans, you could lose access to benefits and protections, like the current pause on payment and interest or federal loan forgiveness plans. Be sure to weigh all the options and decide what makes sense for you.

The Takeaway

Nursing can be a rewarding career, with flexibility and opportunities to add to your income. However, as a new nurse, you are likely trying to stretch your paycheck to cover student loan debt and everyday expenses. Fortunately, by using a few smart strategies, you can start to pay down your loans—and save for the future.

If refinancing your student loans is one of the strategies you’re considering, SoFi can help. When you refinance with SoFi, you get benefits like flexible terms. And with our medical professional refinancing, you may be able to qualify for special low rates for nurses.

SoFi reserves our lowest interest rates for medical professionals like you.


Photo credit: iStock/FatCamera

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Budgeting for Residents

Budgeting as a New Resident

Editor's Note: For the latest developments regarding federal student loan debt repayment, check out our student debt guide.


The member’s experience below is not a typical member representation. While their story is extraordinary and inspirational, not all members should expect the same results.

As a resident, Dr. Saira Z. worked in one of the most expensive places in the country—the New York City area. Besides managing the high cost of living on a residency budget, Saira was also paying back loans from medical school.

Figuring out how to stretch her $65,000 a year medical resident’s salary wasn’t easy, even after she got married. She and her husband tried to be as frugal as possible. When they took stock of their spending, however, they found places to cut back.

The couple drew up a budget to help them stay the course through Saira’s three-year residency and when her medical fellowship salary dipped. It also allowed them to set good habits that still serve them well. Saira and her husband are now expecting twins, and she’ll be joining a private practice on the East Coast.

As Saira learned, residency can test your finances. While you’re finally drawing an income—the average annual salary of a first-year resident is around $60,000, according to 2021 data from the Association of American Medical Colleges—a residency budget needs to cover a lot. Your medical school finances likely include considerable student loan debt. The median medical school debt for the class of 2021 is $200,000, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, which doesn’t include undergraduate student loans, credit card balances or other debt.

Having a financial plan is a way to make the most of your income and set up for the future. These tips for budgeting for residents may help you get started.

Identify Your Biggest Budget Busters

A budget can serve a variety of purposes. It can help you make progress toward your savings goals, adopt healthier spending habits, and pay down debt. It can even allow you to spot the biggest drains on your money so you can look for ways to curb spending.

For Saira and her husband, meals out with friends were a top budget buster. But they had no idea that was the case until they reviewed their finances. “You don’t realize eating out is such a huge expense until after the fact,” Saira says. As a result, the couple decided to temporarily stop going to restaurants, which allowed them to put that money into their savings.

Build Your Financial Foundation

Budgeting for medical residents should include working on your financial foundation, says Brian Walsh, CFP, senior manager, financial planning for SoFi. “These foundational pieces are so critical to establish,” Walsh says. “Then, once you get that big paycheck, it will be much easier to sock away 25% or more of your income toward retirement.”

Here are a few steps he recommends:

•  Pay off “bad debt.” Walsh defines “bad debt” as anything that accelerates consumption and comes with a high interest rate (such as credit cards).

•  Build up an emergency fund. This stash of cash should cover three to six months’ worth of your total living expenses and be placed in an easy-to-access place, like money market funds, short-term bonds, CDs or a high-yield savings account.

•  Protect your income. There are two types of protection you may want to consider. Disability insurance covers a portion of your income in the event you’re unable to work due to an injury or illness. Monthly premium amounts vary, but generally, the younger and healthier you are, the less expensive the policy. You may also want to consider purchasing a life insurance policy if other people depend on your income.

Recommended: Short Term vs. Long Term Disability Insurance

Start Saving for the Future

Next, Walsh suggests putting any leftover funds into retirement. Over time, as your emergency fund grows and “bad debt” diminishes, you’ll be able to put more money into retirement.

One simple way to build up savings now is to contribute to your employer’s 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan, if one is available, and tap into any matching funds program. There’s a limit to how much you can contribute annually to either plan. In 2022, the amount is $20,500; if you’re 50 or older, you can contribute up to an additional $6,500, for a total of $27,000.

There are other investment vehicles Walsh suggests exploring if you have additional money to save, don’t have access to a 401(k) or 403(b), or simply prefer to have more control over your money. These include an individual retirement account (IRA), such as a traditional IRA or Roth IRA, both of which can offer tax advantages.

Contributions made to a traditional IRA are tax deductible, and no taxes are due until you withdraw the money. Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars; your money grows tax-free and you don’t pay taxes when you withdraw the funds. However, there are limits on how much you can contribute each year and on your income.

Another option is a health savings account (HSA), which may be available if you have a high deductible health plan. HSAs provide a triple tax benefit: Contributions reduce taxable income, earnings are tax-free, and money used for qualified medical expenses is also tax-free.

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Doctor

Come Up With a Plan to Pay Student Loan Debt

As a resident, you have several priorities competing for a piece of your paycheck: lifestyle expenses, long-term savings goals, and medical student loan debt. Loan repayment typically starts six months after graduation, and options vary based on the type of loan you have.

If you have federal loans and need extra help making payments, for example, you can explore a loan forgiveness program or an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, which can lower monthly payments for eligible borrowers based on their income and household size. You also have the option to postpone payments during residency, but the interest will continue to accrue and add to your total balance.

Additionally, the Biden administration’s new federal student loan forgiveness plan extends the pause on federal loan payments through December 31, 2022. The program also cancels up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those who make less than $125,000 a year ($250,000 for married couples) and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients who qualify.

Your medical student loan debt may feel overwhelming, but there are a couple of ways to consider tackling it. With the avalanche approach, you prioritize debt repayment based on interest rate, from highest to lowest. With the snowball approach, you pay off the smallest balance first and then work your way up to the highest balance.

While the right approach is the one you’ll stick with, Walsh often sees greater success with the snowball approach. “Most people should start with paying off the smallest balance first because then they’ll see progress, and progress leads to persistence,” he says.

Find Out If Refinancing Is Right for You

You may want to consider refinancing your student loans as part of your repayment strategy. When you refinance, your existing loans are paid off and you get one new loan. You may be able to get a lower interest rate, which could potentially reduce your monthly payments. Some lenders, including SoFi, also provide benefits for residents and other medical professionals.

Though the refinancing process is fairly straightforward, “People overestimate the amount of work it takes to refinance and underestimate the benefits,” Wash says. A quarter of a percentage point difference in an interest rate might seem small, but if you have a big loan balance, it could save you quite a bit.

However, refinancing may not be right for everyone. By refinancing federal student loans, you could lose access to benefits and protections, such as the current pause on payment and interest or federal loan forgiveness plans. Your best bet is to weigh all of your options and decide what makes the most sense for your situation.

The Takeaway

After years of medical school, you’re finally starting to make some money. But you also likely have a lot of student loan debt that you need to start paying back during your residency. Having a solid plan for repaying your loans, and using a few key strategies to start saving money for your future, can help position you for long-term financial success.

If part of that plan includes refinancing your student loans, SoFi can help. With our medical professional refinancing, you may qualify for a special competitive rate if you have a loan balance of more than $150,000. You can also reduce your monthly payments to as low as $100 during residency and fellowship, for up to four years.

SoFi reserves our lowest interest rates for medical professionals like you.


Photo credit: iStock/Andrei Orlov

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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