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How to reduce debt by using a Payment Plan

As stated in our example, we use some very simple dollar amounts and national averages for interest and wages.  Here is more detail on how we did our math:   

Student Loan vs Payment Plan Chart

*Interest calculated at 5% annually. Average interest on a Stafford Loan 4.99-6.54%. Private loans are typically higher. Unless you have a subsidized loan, interest will start accruing as soon as you borrow the money.

**The starting point for repaying a Stafford Loan is ten years. To calculate the full payback amount we assumed the same 5% rate.

Enter how much you plan to borrow to see the full cost of borrowing

Year

Borrowed

Y1 w/Interest

Y2 w/Interest

Y3 w/Interest

Y4 w/Interest

Freshman
$
$
$
$
$

Sophomore
$

-

$
$
$

Junior
$

-

-

$
$

Senior
$

-

-

-

$

Total Borrowed

$

Total w/Interest

$

Interest Percentage

%

Ten Year Payback

$


Average interest on a Stafford Loan 4.99-6.54%. Private loans are typically higher. Unless you have a subsidized loan, interest will start accruing as soon as you borrow the money. The starting point for repaying a Stafford Loan is ten years.

Wondering how a student can afford a $1000 payment plan?

  • A ten-month payment plan for $1000, works out to $100 per month for ten months
  • Most students can find a part-time job on campus: 10 hours per week x 4.2 weeks each month x $14.00/hour*** will earn you $588 per month
  • Use $100 of your monthly income to make the payment. $100 is only 17% of your earnings and that still leaves you plenty for pizza and a movie (or extra savings)!

Enter how much you plan to pay with a payment plan to see how much you can save

Year

Borrowed

Payment Plan Amount

Y1 w/Interest

Y2 w/Interest

Y3 w/Interest

Y4 w/Interest

Freshman

$
$
$
$
$
$

Sophomore

$
$
-
$
$
$

Junior

$
$
-
-
$
$

Senior

$
$
-
-
-
$

Totals

$
$

Total w/Interest

$

Ten Year Payback

$



By paying $ as part of a payment plan you have saved $ on your ten year payment!

All available plans and applicable payment options, fees, and disclosures will be presented to you during the enrollment process. Enrollment in, and availability of plans may be subject to applicable state law limitations in addition to any requirements of your school. An enrollment fee will apply, and other fees may apply to the extent permitted by law. The fee is determined by your school.

The enrollment fee is considered a finance charge which is defined by federal regulations as “the cost of consumer credit as a dollar amount”. In order to compare this cost to other forms of credit, Transact provides the equivalent annual percentage rate (APR) during the enrollment process, which takes into account a number of variables, including the number of payments, the term, and the amount financed.