Student loan forgiveness is much in the news these days. It’s on. It’s off. It’s on again, maybe. What’s the lesson here?
The lesson is this: Avoiding student loan debt is much easier than getting out of it. It just takes discipline. We’ll talk about that with Dr. Art Rainer today.
Dr. Art Rainer is the founder of the Institute for Christian Financial Health and Christian Money Solutions. He is a regular contributor here at Faith & Finance and the author of “The Money Challenge for Teens: Prepare for College, Run from Debt, and Live Generously.”
A Biblical Foundation for College Finances
When it comes to preparing for college, it’s important to keep Proverbs 22:7 in mind:
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”
This verse serves as a crucial reminder that borrowing money, especially for education, can lead to long-term financial burdens. It’s easy to accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in student debt that could take decades to repay.
Four Strategies to Minimize College Debt
In The Money Challenge for Teens, Dr. Art Rainer outlines four key strategies to help students minimize, or even avoid, college debt:
- Start Saving Now: The sooner you begin saving for college, the less you’ll need to borrow.
- Take College-Level or AP Courses Now: These can reduce the number of credits you need to take in college, lowering your overall tuition costs.
- Explore Scholarships and Grants: There’s a wealth of financial aid available, but you need to seek it out and apply diligently.
- Be Willing to Work While in School: Many students work part-time jobs to help cover tuition and reduce the need for loans.
While these strategies require effort and discipline, they’re far easier than paying back $30,000 or $40,000 in student loans after graduation.
Avoiding Costly Misconceptions About College
Dr. Art Rainer also shares a list of common misconceptions that can lead to unnecessary student debt. Understanding and avoiding these pitfalls can make the college journey much smoother:
- Misconception #1: Attending a Costly School Guarantees a Better Job: Higher tuition doesn’t always translate to higher salaries. Employers care about your degree, not how much you paid for it.
- Misconception #2: You Need the Whole “College Experience”: Some students work during college to offset tuition costs, which can prevent long-term debt.
- Misconception #3: It’s Okay to Stretch Out College: While there’s some flexibility, extending your degree program can increase costs and the risk of not completing your degree.
- Misconception #4: You Don’t Need to Know What You’re Signing: Educate yourself on student loans before signing anything. Understand the commitment and explore alternatives.
- Misconception #5: Everything Will Take Care of Itself: Student loans are difficult to escape, even surviving bankruptcy. It’s crucial to manage your debt and avoid complacency.
- Misconception #6: There’s No Other Option: While college costs are high, there are always options like scholarships, grants, and community college. Explore every avenue before taking on debt.
Putting in the Hard Work Now
It’s far better to put in the hard work now—saving, applying for scholarships, and working while in school—than to be burdened with student debt later. By being proactive and informed, students can avoid the financial pitfalls that so many others face.
For more insights and resources from Dr. Art Rainer, visit his website at ChristianMoneySolutions.com. If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC), visit ChristianFinancialHealth.com.
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
- How could we use our required minimum distributions (RMDs) to make donations to the church and offset the tax impact? I’m looking for a formula or chart to help calculate the potential tax savings.
- I'm still working and scheduled to retire within the next couple of years. My employer has an actual person who manages our retirement plan, but I wanted to find out how to invest in things that align more with my faith and ensure I'm not supporting something I don't want to be supporting.
- Should I move my 403(b) funds to a CD ladder to safeguard them from market volatility, and would that result in a tax burden?
- How do I access the $36,000 cash surrender value of my 68-year-old friend's whole life insurance policy, and what happens when the policy is discontinued?
Resources Mentioned:
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