Meredith and Joe discuss the Department of Education’s newly finalized student loan repayment regulations set to take effect July 1, 2026, including the new RAP repayment plan, the tiered standard plan, and several important issues vets should understand before making changes to their loans.

Key Topics:

• How the new RAP repayment plan works
• Why consolidating loans after July 1, 2026 could be a costly mistake
• Important considerations for borrowers on SAVE
• Errors showing up on the online IDR application
• When a paper IDR application may make more sense

Book a student loan consult with Vet Debt Experts: https://calendly.com/vetdebtexperts/1-hr-consult-discount

Meredith and Joe talk through major student loan rule changes that significantly impact 2026 veterinary graduates, along with advice to help set yourself up for success with student loan repayment.

• Why consolidation used to make sense for some borrowers
• The new rule limiting loans disbursed after July 1, 2026 to RAP or Standard repayment
• Why 2026 graduates should avoid consolidating
• What new graduates should do instead, including waiting out the grace period and carefully evaluating repayment options
• The long-term difference between RAP and New IBR, and why plan selection matters early

If you’d like help with a repayment strategy tailored to your specific situation, you can book a student loan consult with Vet Debt Experts: https://calendly.com/vetdebtexperts/1-hr-consult-discount

Meredith talks about three financial patterns she commonly sees with veterinarians: perfectionism around money, letting student loans drive career decisions, and evaluating compensation too narrowly.

These are often decisions that feel reasonable in the moment, but over time can quietly contribute to stress, burnout, and financial stagnation.

Key Topics:

• Why perfectionism can delay financial progress
• The cost of waiting for the “perfect” financial decision
• How student loans can influence career choices
• Burnout, income pressure, and fear-based decision-making
• Why compensation is much bigger than salary alone
• How to evaluate veterinary job offers more thoughtfully

Interested in financial planning built for veterinarians?

Learn more or book a free intro call at allvetfinancial.com