Student loan payments can be a heavy burden to bear over decades of your life. As many of the 42.7 million borrowers with federal debt can attest, paying off that debt can impact the basic choices you make for your future.
But there’s good news: You don’t need to wait for forgiveness or rely on complex repayment programs to start feeling more in control.
This guide is about managing the emotional toll of student loan debt while building smart habits that protect your financial and mental health.
1. Know Where You Stand
It might be anxiety-inducing to stare at the number, but knowing how much you owe is fundamentally better than not — or pretending like that number isn’t there. Take a look and note your:
- Total student loan balance
- Your monthly payment amount
- The interest rate(s)
2. Build a Simple Plan That Works Now
Even if you can’t pay more than the minimum, you can:
- Set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date
- Add just $10–$20 more per month if your budget allows
- Choose one loan to focus on (it’s best to start with the highest interest rate)
These small steps show your brain that you’re making progress—and that matters.
3. Don’t Allow Confusion in
If it’s on your mind, it’s easy to find yourself doom scrolling student loan horror stories in the wee hours of the morning. If social media or comparison is making your loan situation feel worse, re-make your social landscape. (Or, even better: Log off!)
As you scroll, ignore stuff like:
- Financial influencers promising quick-fix hacks
- Friends’ posts about big purchases (especially if you’re putting all your extra cash toward loans)
Instead, follow accounts or podcasts focused on honest, practical money habits.
4. Use Windfall Money Wisely
If you get a bonus, tax refund or gift, use part of it to lighten your student loan load or build up your emergency fund. Either move reduces your reliance on future debt.
5. Know When to Get Help
If your student loan is one of many debts causing stress, you may consider debt consolidation. While our program isn’t able to help with public or private student loans, we can help with your other, unsecured debts. If you’re battling credit card or personal loan debt in addition to student loans, debt consolidation can offer you space to breathe:
- Save 40% or more on your eligible monthly payments
- Simplify your life with one monthly payment instead of many
- Pay off eligible, unsecured debts in as little as 24–48 months
You’ve Got This
You don’t have to be debt-free to feel in control of your finances. Small choices — like checking your balance, setting up auto-pay or making one extra payment — move you forward. Combined with a trusted debt consolidation program that wrangles your credit card and personal loan debts into something more manageable, you’ll regain financial flexibility — and reduce your stress.