The Personal Finance Podcast How to Master Your Student Loans with Robert Farrington
Mar 9, 2026
Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor and student loan expert, breaks down the July 2026 federal student loan overhaul. He covers the new two repayment choices, tighter borrowing caps, how enrollment affects loan amounts, deadlines for preserving forgiveness, and practical ways to cut college costs and speed graduation. Short, actionable guidance on navigating loans, aid, and repayment strategy.
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Prioritize Real College Price Before Chasing Aid
- Start by understanding the true out-of-pocket price for each college before chasing aid; sticker price is misleading.
- Institutional grants are the largest aid source, FAFSA/Pell are smaller, and private scholarships are usually modest one-offs.
Finish College Faster To Cut Costs 25%
- Shorten time in college to cut costs: finish in three years via AP, dual enrollment, or CLEP to save roughly 25%.
- Earning transferable credits early materially reduces total tuition even at expensive schools.
Leverage Free Community College Credits First
- Use community college credits for general courses—many states offer free community college for 1–2 years—then transfer to save big on core requirements.
- Core freshmen courses teach the same material regardless of sticker price.
