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How marriage affects student loan repayment

Author: Isaac Ehlers | Image: Isaac Ehlers

Recently married or getting married soon? Marriage can affect your federal student loan repayment plan. According to Iowa College Aid Insider, some quick points are : 

  • Filing taxes jointly with your spouse means the U.S. Department of Education will use your joint income when calculating payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
  • Filing separately usually means the Department of Education will use just your income when calculating income-driven payments. 
  • If the Department of Education uses your joint income to calculate your payment and your spouse has federal student loans, your payments will be reduced to account for your spouse’s loan debt.
  • Filing taxes separately can make some income-driven repayment plans more affordable, but you might take a tax hit.

Contact the Office of Student Financial Success at financialsuccess@iastate.edu with any questions!