Student Loan Game Plan
Your Choices. Your Success.
Student Loan Game PlanSM is an interactive tool to help
reduce student indebtedness by educating applicants
and cosigners about responsible borrowing decisions.
The decisions students make today about student loans and paying for a postsecondary education can affect their
financial future.
While students often find it is necessary to borrow some money to pay for college, Iowa students have higher debt
loads than students in other parts of the country.
Setting a Solid Foundation
Student Loan Game Plan helps students understand ways to borrow less and set the foundation for a financially
responsible future. Applicants use the interactive resource as part of all Iowa Student Loan® online private student
loan applications.
Building a Better Future
The information in Student Loan Game Plan can help students and their cosigners understand the consequences of
overborrowing and, just as importantly, discover how to avoid overborrowing.
Providing Solutions to Real Risks
Students often find it easier to borrow now and worry about it later. Student Loan Game Plan uses several methods
to help borrowers understand the consequences of overborrowing:
`` A true-life story from an Iowa Student Loan borrower.
`` Potential problems caused by overborrowing.
`` Customized estimated salary information based on borrowers’ majors.
`` Estimated total student loan payment amounts based on past, current and future borrowing.
`` An estimated student loan debt-to-income ratio based on the borrower’s information, compared to
recommended ratios from U.S. Department of Education regulations.
`` A warning that student loans are a serious financial obligation that must be repaid.
`` A sample monthly budget based on the borrower’s anticipated starting salary and national-average expenses,
including student loan payments.
`` A variety of strategies to reduce the need for student loans.
`` A customizable and printable action plan to reduce overall borrowing.
`` The ability to lower the requested loan amount in online private student loan applications.
www.studentloan.org/gameplan
All About Your Success
©2012 Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation®
Keeping It Simple
Student Loan Game Plan is available online to private student loan applicants and cosigners and to the general public.
Try it out at www.studentloan.org/gameplan.
`` B
orrowers and cosigners go through the information as part of the application process for all private student loans
owned or serviced by Iowa Student Loan.
−− Applicants have the ability to reduce their requested loan amount before proceeding with the application.
−− Borrowers can print out a copy of their estimated salary, student loan debt-to-income ratio and action plan
information for cosigners or for future reference.
−− Cosigners see what their payment responsibilities are and how borrower difficulties can affect their own credit.
−− Real-life situations help cosigners recognize potential issues and address them before repayment.
`` Anyone can access Student Loan Game Plan online.
–– Users can try different major and debt scenarios.
–– Find Student Loan Game Plan at www.studentloan.org/gameplan.
Making a Difference
Why is a student loan provider encouraging students to consider borrowing less?
`` A
solution is needed. Students at Iowa colleges and universities have increasingly high student loan debt at
graduation. This practical resource is one way Iowa Student Loan is working to educate students on ways to reduce
their borrowing.
`` S
tudent success matters. Helping students succeed is inherent in Iowa Student Loan’s nonprofit mission. By
educating students on how to borrow only what they can afford to repay, the organization encourages success both
during college and after graduation.
`` I owa Student Loan has a unique viewpoint. Because borrowers often have an account with Iowa Student Loan
throughout repayment, its loan counselors understand the challenges many
customers face as they add student loan payments to their
daily expenses.
`` D
efault is avoidable. Iowa Student Loan works hard to
help its borrowers avoid delinquency and default on their
student loans. Student Loan Game Plan is a proactive step
to help students avoid situations where delinquency and
default are more likely.
Game Highlights
e Plan highlights
Student Loan Gam
s often caused
everyday challenge
including the:
by overborrowing,
e car payments.
`` Inability to mak
rd an apartment
`` Inability to affo
or starter home.
ork two jobs.
`` Necessity to w
to take time off
`` Lack of freedom
or vacations.
rents or future
`` Need to ask pa
pay debt.
spouses to help re
on groceries,
`` Need to skimp
eating out.
entertainment or