Ep111: Medical Student Debt after OBBB: RAP Rules, PSLF Updates, and Refi Strategy

Ep111: Medical Student Debt after OBBB: RAP Rules, PSLF Updates, and Refi Strategy

From Finding Financial Freedom with The Frugal Physician - Finance, Wellness, Budget, Student Loans, Wealth, Doctor, Fitness, Money by Dr. Disha Spath, MD, FACP

October 3, 2025 · 38 min · Season 1 · Episode 111

About this episode

Dr. Disha Spath and guest Aaron Smith discuss significant changes in student loan policies and repayment strategies for medical professionals.

Big changes are here for student loans—and if you're a doctor, student, or high-debt professional, this episode could save you thousands. Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Aaron Smith, co-founder of Savi and longtime student loan policy advocate, to break down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what it really means for your financial future. Aaron has worked with the Department of Education, Congress, and the White House—and he's carried student debt himself. Together, he and Dr. Disha unravel the brand-new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, and how these reforms reshape repayment strategies, PSLF, and refinancing decisions. Key Topics Covered: 1. The Big Beautiful Bill, Simplified What's changing in federal student loan repayment. Which repayment plans are gone, and the details behind RAP. 2. RAP vs. Current Plans Why RAP bases payments on gross income. Why locking into an income-driven repayment plan before 2026 could be a smart move. 3. PSLF Stays Strong The good news: PSLF wasn't touched by the new law. How to avoid errors with employer certification and payment tracking. 4. Goodbye Grad PLUS Loans How cutting Grad PLUS reshapes graduate and…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Disha Spath

Guest: Aaron Smith

Topics covered

  • student loans
  • financial future
  • repayment strategies
  • PSLF updates
  • refinancing decisions
  • medical student debt

Keywords

  • student debt
  • financial advice
  • RAP
  • PSLF
  • refinancing
  • Grad PLUS loans
  • One Big Beautiful Bill Act
  • repayment plans

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Department of Education, Congress, White House, PSLF

Products: Grad PLUS loans

More episodes of Finding Financial Freedom with The Frugal Physician - Finance, Wellness, Budget, Student Loans, Wealth, Doctor, Fitness, Money

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Finding Financial Freedom with The Frugal Physician - Finance, Wellness, Budget, Student Loans, Wealth, Doctor, Fitness, Money podcast page.