BALTIMORE, MD—With the Biden administration releasing its new rules to strengthen accountability for colleges and consumer protection for students, the personal-finance website WalletHub this week released its report on the States with the Highest Student Loan Payments, along with tips for paying off student loan debt.
Maryland topped the list with Vermont coming in at No. 2 and Hawaii ranking at No. 3.
| Highest Median Payment | Lowest Median Payment |
| 1. Maryland ($232) | 40. Tennessee ($168) |
| 2. Vermont ($225) | 41. Nevada ($167) |
| 3. Hawaii ($223) | 42. Missouri ($166) |
| 4. Massachusetts ($222) | 43. Montana ($166) |
| 5. New Hampshire ($218) | T-44. Delaware ($163) |
| 6. Connecticut ($217.5) | T-44. Mississippi ($163) |
| 7. New Jersey ($216) | 46. North Dakota ($160) |
| 8. New York ($212) | 47. Kentucky ($159) |
| 9. Virginia ($208) | T-48. Arkansas ($158) |
| T-10. Colorado ($207) | T-48. Wyoming ($158) |
| T-10. Illinois ($207) | 50. West Virginia ($139) |
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Tips for Paying Off Your Student Loan Debt Faster
- Make a Budget: Take a look at where you are spending your money and see where you can cut back in order to afford your student loan payment. Once you have a plan in place, follow it as best as you can and review it periodically for additional cost-cutting opportunities.
- Increase Your Income: You may be able to add some additional cash-flow with a part-time job or side hustle, or you can consider a different job altogether that offers better pay.
- Research Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs: These programs may help eliminate some or all of your student loan debt. Some professions, such as teachers, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, qualify for unique forgiveness programs.
- Check with Your Employer: Some employers will offer perks to employees who further their education. Check and see if your employer offers any tuition reimbursement programs that could help you pay down your debt.
- Make Your Payments On Time: Making on-time payments will help you avoid any unnecessary fees or additional interest charges. If you have some extra cash, you should prioritize paying down your most expensive debts and not necessarily your student loans.
- Refinance Your Student Debt: If you have a good or excellent credit score, you could transfer some of your student debt to a card with a 0% intro APR to stop interest from accruing and pay off what you owe sooner. Just be sure to pay off your balance before the card’s high regular interest rate takes effect.
The full report can be viewed online here at WalletHub.
More in the video below.
Photo via Pixabay
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