The heartbeat of the veterinary profession. Join us as we talk with veterinary colleagues about critical topics from student debt to mental health. And share stories, stories connect us… as humans, as animals, as a veterinary community.
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Listen in as Dr. Jim Clark takes the time to share the story of his fascinating veterinary career path. From how he started his first practice, to the importance of listening to your colleagues, and how his path took him through multi-practice ownership and teaching at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine to his three-legged approach to success in the profession. Dr. Clark also spends the time to share his tips for veterinary colleagues who are interested in being independent practice owners, including a recommended timeline and the most important things to consider.
This episode has all the makings of how we as humans are a work in progress, and provides relatable insights into leadership, partnerships, finance, teaching, and a love for animals.
As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.
GUEST BIO:
Jim Clark, DVM, MBA
U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Jim Clark is an animal lover, entrepreneur, multi-practice owner, clinician, and educator. After working in general and emergency practice for more than 20 years, earning an MBA, and serving as an owner in four ER/Spec practices, Clark joined the faculty of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010, assuming leadership of their Professional Skills curriculum. He currently provides instruction in communication, mental health, career planning, DEI, and business management skills.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Veterinary Education and Communication Coaching: http://www.petpracticepartners.com/
VIN Foundation Start Up Club: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-practice-start-up-club/
VIN Foundation Student Debt Education: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Listen in as student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. This episode we covering the following 4 topics:
- Consolidation deadline extended
- Loan servicers continue to be terrible
- Recertification dates
- The new SAVE plan
- Common mistakes made while using the Student Loan Repayment Simulator
As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.
GUEST BIO:
Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim
VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/
VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give
VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts:
- Veterinary student loan repayment: trends from the trenches: https://vinfoundation.org/youre-running-out-of-time-to-consolidate-your-loans/
- A ‘new’ income-driven repayment plan? https://vinfoundation.org/a-new-income-driven-repayment-plan/
- Common Student Loan Consolidation Questions and Answers: https://vinfoundation.org/fed-student-loan-consolidation-faqs-questions-answers-considerations/
- I have federal student loans. When do I need to recertify my income?
https://vinfoundation.org/i-have-federal-student-loans-when-do-i-need-to-recertify-my-income/
- Got Federal Student Debt? You’re Now Closer to Forgiveness Than You Think: https://vinfoundation.org/got-federal-student-debt-youre-now-closer-to-forgiveness-than-you-think/
- Student Loan FAQs: The one-time forgiveness count adjustment
https://vinfoundation.org/faq-one-time-forgiveness-count-adjustment/
- Student Loan Forgiveness Planning: Preparing for the Tax Bill: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-forgiveness-planning-preparing-for-the-tax-bill/
Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
Infographic ONE-TIME FORGIVENESS COUNT ADJUSTMENT:
https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-student-debt/student-debt-one-time-forgiveness-count-adjustment/
One-Time Forgiveness Count Adjustment Video Case Study, 1999 DVM may save more than $65,000 in student loan costs:
https://youtu.be/6gp7cXvEy8c
Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionary income calculations, WikiDebt: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&catId=74141&id=7249857
Repay Wiser:
https://vinfoundation.org/resources/repay-wiser-veterinary-school-debt-loan-repayment/
Borrow Better: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/borrow-better-veterinary-school-loan-debt/
New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/
Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/
SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Lower Monthly Loan Payments
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan
Loan Servicers Having Trouble:
- https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-announces-withholding-payment-student-loan-servicer-part-accountability-measures-harmed-borrowers
- https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-takes-additional-action-hold-student-loan-servicers-accountable-failing-meet-contractual-obligations
One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org
Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Listen in as student debt experts and Board Member Drs. Tony Bartels and Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. This episode we’re covering the top three trends from the trenches of student loans: 1) Consolidation procrastination 2) Using the wrong repayment plan 3) Incorrect minimum monthly payments. Now is the time to pay attention if you’ve had your head in the sand with your student loans, so listen in and also learn if you are in The Pickle!
As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.
GUEST BIOS:
Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.
Dr. Rebecca Mears
Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim
VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/
VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give
VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts:
- Veterinary student loan repayment: trends from the trenches: https://vinfoundation.org/youre-running-out-of-time-to-consolidate-your-loans/
- A ‘new’ income-driven repayment plan? https://vinfoundation.org/a-new-income-driven-repayment-plan/
- Common Student Loan Consolidation Questions and Answers: https://vinfoundation.org/fed-student-loan-consolidation-faqs-questions-answers-considerations/
- I have federal student loans. When do I need to recertify my income?
https://vinfoundation.org/i-have-federal-student-loans-when-do-i-need-to-recertify-my-income/ - Got Federal Student Debt? You’re Now Closer to Forgiveness Than You Think: https://vinfoundation.org/got-federal-student-debt-youre-now-closer-to-forgiveness-than-you-think/
- Student Loan FAQs: The one-time forgiveness count adjustment
https://vinfoundation.org/faq-one-time-forgiveness-count-adjustment/ - Student Loan Forgiveness Planning: Preparing for the Tax Bill: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-forgiveness-planning-preparing-for-the-tax-bill/
Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
Infographic ONE-TIME FORGIVENESS COUNT ADJUSTMENT:
https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-student-debt/student-debt-one-time-forgiveness-count-adjustment/
One-Time Forgiveness Count Adjustment Video Case Study, 1999 DVM may save more than $65,000 in student loan costs:
https://youtu.be/6gp7cXvEy8c
Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionary income calculations, WikiDebt: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&catId=74141&id=7249857
Repay Wiser:
https://vinfoundation.org/resources/repay-wiser-veterinary-school-debt-loan-repayment/
Borrow Better: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/borrow-better-veterinary-school-loan-debt/
New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/
Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/
SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Lower Monthly Loan Payments
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan
New Proposed Regulations Would Transform Income-Driven Repayment by Cutting Undergraduate Loan Payments in Half and Preventing Unpaid Interest Accumulation: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/new-proposed-regulations-would-transform-income-driven-repayment-cutting-undergraduate-loan-payments-half-and-preventing-unpaid-interest-accumulation
Payment Count Adjustments Toward Income-Driven Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Programs:
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
Department of Education press release (Nov 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-continues-fight-student-debt-relief-millions-borrowers-extends-student-loan-repayment-pause
Department of Education press release (April 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-fix-longstanding-failures-student-loan-programs
One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org
Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Animal lover Becky Godchaux shares how she came to create the veterinary student scholarship offering two new veterinary students up to $140,000 each for their DVM education. Listen in to learn what inspired her generosity, how animals have positively impacted her life, and how she views the important relationship between the animal, the client, and the veterinarian. This is a great episode for animal lovers who want to support a healthy animal community.
The VIN Foundation is honored to be the home of the Mike Dunn, DVM Veterinary Student Scholarship created by Becky Godchaux. Learn more about the scholarship in the link below.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- Veterinary Student Scholarship: https://vinfoundation.org/scholarship
- VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
If you enjoy listening to this podcast and want to support these efforts, please consider making a donation to the VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/give.
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Listen in as student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. This episode we’re going through the latest news from the Supreme Court, the Department of Education response, and what’s next for borrowers. Listen in to learn about the important dates coming up, and make sure to check out the links below to learn more.
As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.
GUEST BIO:
Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Get Student Debt Updates: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-debt-updates/
VIN Foundation Student Debt Tools:
- VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
- Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
- Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim
- VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
Additional links:
- Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
- Repay Wiser:
https://vinfoundation.org/resources/repay-wiser-veterinary-school-debt-loan-repayment/ - Borrow Better: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/borrow-better-veterinary-school-loan-debt/
- New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/
- Climbing Mt. Debt for Veterinary Interns and Residents: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/climbing-mt-debt-veterinary-intern-resident/
- Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Application: https://studentaid.gov/
- Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) replacing REPAYE: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan
- Student Debt Relief Information: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation
- One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
- Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
- Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
- VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give
- Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Listen in as Dr. Rebecca Mears from the VIN Foundation Student Debt Education Team shares her unorthodox path to veterinary medicine, the trends she is seeing in her work with veterinary students and student debt. Find out how a horse jockey and dinosaur fit into her story. As she says in the beginning, this episode is a fun ride!
GUEST BIO:
Dr. Rebecca Mears
Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Rebecca has worked as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member. She has been involved in the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) since vet school and now as a co-advisor for the National VBMA. In her work with VIN and the VIN Foundation she has a primary focus on student debt education and is a member of the VIN Student Team. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
- VIN Students: https://www.vin.com/students
- VBMA: https://vbma.biz/
- Vets for Pets and People: https://news.uga.edu/vets-for-pets-and-people/
- Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
- Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim
- VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
- VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/
- VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
- VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Friday May 26, 2023
Friday May 26, 2023
Listen in as VIN Foundation Vets4Vets® team member Dr. Susan Cohen dives deep on perfectionism. She covers how to identify it in ourselves and/or others, how it impacts veterinary teams, and helpful tools to decrease the self-torment. Learn how to move toward enjoying the good stuff, and find out what a bliss list is and how it can be motivational. Check the links below to download a copy of Susan’s Bliss List example.
GUEST BIO:
Dr. Susan Cohen
Susan P. Cohen, DSW, ACSW has been called a pioneer in the fields of pet loss, human-animal interaction, and the human side of veterinary practice. Since 1982 Dr. Cohen has helped pet lovers make decisions about the illness of their pets. She developed the first-ever Pet Loss Support Group and began an animal assisted activity program that took the then-unusual form of having volunteers work with their own pets. She originated many training programs for workers in the veterinary and social service fields, and she has been a field instructor for several schools of social work. She has written several book chapters and scholarly articles on social work, veterinary practice, and the human-animal bond. Her most recent book chapter, “Loss, Grief, and Bereavement in the Context of Human-Animal Relationships” (Susan Cohen, DSW; and Adam Clark, LSW, AASW) was published in 2019. She is currently working on a chapter on pet loss for Routledge’s International Handbook on Human-Animal Interaction. These days she consults with veterinary groups on client and professional communication, compassion fatigue, and how to make practice fun again. She facilitates online support groups for veterinarians, animal welfare workers, managers, and those grieving the loss of a pet. She teaches online workshops and lectures widely to veterinary colleges and conferences, colleges of social work, veterinary technician programs, and human health groups on communication, pet loss and bereavement, human-animal interaction, client relations, compassion fatigue, and career development. She is Vice Chairperson of SWAHAB (Social Workers Advancing the Human-Animal Bond), the first such committee of the National Association of Social Workers. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and Smithsonian Magazine. In addition, she has made numerous television and radio addresses nationwide, including “The Today Show,” “20-20,” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v
- Bliss list example: https://vinfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/VINFoundation-Veterinary-Pulse-Episode-157-Dr.-Susan-Cohen-on-Perfectionism-Bliss-List-example.pdf
- Red Shoes Syndrome podcast: https://vinfoundation.org/are-you-caring-too-much-red-shoe-syndrome-with-dr-susan-cohen/
- Wabi Sabi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi
- Nine Signs Your Perfectionism is Out of Control: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/telltale-signs-your-perfectionism-out-control-dr-travis-bradberry/
- 14 Signs Your Perfectionism Has Gotten Out of Control: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-perfectionism-is-ruin_n_4212069
Quotes mentioned in the episode:
- Brene Brown: “Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.”
- Fred Astaire: “Do it big, do it right, and do it with style.”
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you leave a review, subscribe/follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
Listen in as student debt expert and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels and student debt team member Dr. Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. This episode we’re going through the current hot list of student debt topics the team is hearing from colleagues and a to-do list of what borrowers need to do now.
Hot List:
- Did you finish vet school before 2014? - You may have privately-held FFELs. Consolidate and benefit from the one-time forgiveness count adjustment
- Do you have loans that have been in repayment longer than you've been using income-driven repayment? - Consolidate and benefit from the one-time forgiveness count adjustment.
- Are you eligible for PAYE? Are you using PAYE? - Make sure you find out before PAYE is phased out!
- Did you make any payments before the pandemic forbearance benefits began, March 13, 2020? - Request a refund before the benefits end!
- Do you know when your income-driven repayment renewal date is? Hint - it's not until sometime after January 2024, at least. Use the My Student Loans tool to see your "Anniversary Date" and start planning your post-forbearance strategy.
- Married? Have you been filing your taxes separately from your spouse recently because of your student debt? - You can amend recent prior year tax returns from separate to joint! We covered this in a recent Dear Dr. Debt column. Visit with your accountant to see if you can get a refund.
- Graduating veterinary school in 2023? Congratulations! Did you miss the New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook webinar? - Here is a link to the playbook recording, slides, and checklist.
Honorable mentions (coming soon):
- Most unpaid interest capitalization is going away starting July 1, 2023
- One-time forgiveness count adjustments will be applied in 2024 (or sooner if you are due forgiveness)
- The Supreme Court will rule on the special cancellation benefits this summer
- Interest and payments are likely starting up later this summer, possibly after August 2023
As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.
GUEST BIOS:
Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.
Dr. Rebecca Mears
Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, where she completed her BS at University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she served as the National Business Certificate Director for the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) and as a board member for Vets for Pets and People. During this time she took an active role in wellbeing awareness and access within the veterinary community. Rebecca then worked as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found hiking, baking, and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students.
LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Get Student Debt Updates: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-debt-updates/
VIN Foundation Student Debt Tools:
- VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
- Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
- Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim
- VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
Additional links:
- Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
- Repay Wiser:
https://vinfoundation.org/resources/repay-wiser-veterinary-school-debt-loan-repayment/ - Borrow Better: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/borrow-better-veterinary-school-loan-debt/
- New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/
- Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Application: https://studentaid.gov/
- New Proposed Regulations Would Transform Income-Driven Repayment by Cutting Undergraduate Loan Payments in Half and Preventing Unpaid Interest Accumulation: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/new-proposed-regulations-would-transform-income-driven-repayment-cutting-undergraduate-loan-payments-half-and-preventing-unpaid-interest-accumulation
- Student Debt Relief Information: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation
- Department of Education press release (Nov 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-continues-fight-student-debt-relief-millions-borrowers-extends-student-loan-repayment-pause
- Department of Education press release (April 2022): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-fix-longstanding-failures-student-loan-programs
- One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
- Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
- Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
- VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give
- Email VIN Foundation: studentdebt@vinfoundation.org
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
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