FOMC Interest Rate Hike and Student Loans

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  • FOMC Interest Rate Hike and Student Loans
Author: Joseph Reinke, CFA

By Joseph Reinke, CFA, CEO of FitBUX

The FOMC (the Federal Open Market Committee, a.k.a “The Fed”) recently raised interest rates. This article details the effect this has on student loans. Specifically, we detail the potential effects on those who have already graduated as well as those still in school.

Those Who Have Already Graduated

The interest rate hike will affect those who have already graduated in two ways:

1- Those looking to refinance: If you are contemplating refinancing you should not wait. Especially since market “experts” predict rates will increase again. If you need help refinancing check out MyFIT Student Loan Refinance. If you have already refinanced your student loans but have been making payments for over a year you may want to check out refinancing again and see if you can get a lower rate.

2- Those with variable rate loans: If you have a variable rate loan, you’ve already seen the rates increase over the past year to year and a half and this trend looks like it may continue in the near future. You may want to look into refinancing into a fixed rate loan especially if you still have five plus years remaining to repay your student loans.

Those Who Are Still In School

The interest rate hike also affects those in school in two ways:

1- Student loan interest rates: rates for Federal student loans are determined each June and effective in July. Since “generic” interest rates have gone up since June 2017, one should expect the rates on new student loans taken out after June 2018 to go up (currently, rates are 6% and 7%). My best guess is the student loan rates will go up by approximately 0.5% in June 2018. If you still can, and know that you will need additional loans, you may want to max out how much you take out in student loans this quarter/semester (i.e. before June 2018) even if you don’t need the money. If you over barrow today, you can reduce how much you take out next quarter/semester when interest rates are higher.

2- Those with variable rate loans: Just like those who have already graduated, interest rates for those that have private variable rate loans will see a rate increase.

As always, if you need help developing and implementing a student loan plan let us know at FitBUX.

Our FREE student loan planners have helped thousands of Young Professionals manage and eliminate over $950 million in student loans. We help you develop your plan for free because planning your financial future should not cost you your financial future.

Want personalized student loan help? Become a member today, it’s free.

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Joseph Reinke, CFA

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About the Author

Joseph Reinke is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charter Holder and founder of FitBUX which has helped over 14,000 young professionals on their journey to financial freedom. Joseph has been personally investing since he was 12 years old.

In addition, he has experience in student loans, mortgages, wealth management, investment banking, valuation, stock trading, and option trading. He has been on 100s of podcast and has been invited to 100s of universities to discuss financial planning with their soon to be graduates.

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