Skip to main content

Reduce How Much You Borrow – College Planning Tool

How do you know if you can afford a particular college or how much is too much to take out in student loans?

One key indicator recommended by experts is a monthly student loan debt-to-income ratio of 8%–12%. An easier way to think of this is that total student loan debt, for all years of college, should be no more than the expected first-year salary.

ISL Education Loan's Student Loan Game Plan is an interactive online tutorial that walks students through this concept, as well as several other important points about borrowing for college, including:

  • Stories about the issues faced by real-life borrowers when they took on too much student loan debt.
  • Salary and borrowing information based on college major or career choice and existing debt.
  • How in-college and after-college choices, including earnings, living arrangements and monthly spending, can affect overall student loan debt level.
  • The ability to see how making voluntary interest payments during college affects total estimated loan repayment.
  • Tips for reducing expenses and the need to borrow to pay for college costs.

Watch video to learn more about about Student Loan Game Plan.

Student Loan Game Plan is available free online.

Share this article

Sign up for college planning information

Subscribe now


Related Articles

Find this article interesting? Check out the articles below on similar topics.

Student Loan Pro Tip: First Year Salary

Borrowing more than you can comfortably afford to pay back is setting yourself up for a difficult financial future. A simple rule to follow is not to borrow more to pay for college than your expected first-year salary.

Tools and Resources: Student Loan Game Plan

While many students need to borrow some money to pay college expenses, you may be able to reduce the amount you need to borrow — and pay back, with interest.

Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Package

While college acceptance letters are often exciting, the arrival of financial aid award packages can be confusing. Keep these five things in mind as you review your financial aid awards to limit stress.