Student-Loan Hacks 2025 for Travel Therapists

Cut payments, boost tax-free income, and choose the best forgiveness path once SAVE bills restart.
The sticker shock is real: new PTs, OTs, and SLPs still graduate with about $140 000 in federal loans. Most borrowers resumed paying in October 2023, but anyone already on the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan sits on a different timeline:
A federal injunction placed SAVE borrowers in forbearance without required payments, but that interest-free ride ends on 1 August 2025, when interest starts accruing again. marketwatch.com
Servicers say they cannot generate new SAVE bills before technical fixes roll out. The earliest due dates would be December 2025, and some experts warn the switch could slip into 2026. marketwatch.com
Treat the next few months as halftime: plenty of time to lock in SAVE, stack tax-exempt stipends, and map a realistic forgiveness plan, whether that means future Public Service Loan Forgiveness or long-term SAVE forgiveness.
1. Where SAVE Stands in July 2025
- The five percent cap on undergraduate loans remains in place from July 2024.
- Payments and interest stay paused for SAVE borrowers until the Department of Education finishes technical updates, no earlier than September 2025. nasfaa.org
- First bills are expected no sooner than December 2025; income-recertification deadlines begin in February 2026. ed.gov
- Time in this forbearance does not count toward any forgiveness clocks, so the goal is to shrink future bills now.
Want to see how a stipend-heavy contract could shrink your future SAVE bill?
2. Why SAVE Still Beats REPAYE When Payments Resume
Feature | SAVE | Old REPAYE |
---|---|---|
Payment cap (undergrad) | 5 percent of discretionary income | 10 percent |
Subsidized interest | 100 percent | 50 percent |
Spouse's income included? | Only if you file jointly | Always |
Bottom line: smaller bills, no runaway balance, and fewer “budget-busting” surprises.
3. Turn Tax-Exempt Stipends into a Lower SAVE Bill
Travel-therapy paychecks come in two parts:
- Taxable hourly wage that shows up in AGI.
- Housing and meal stipends that usually stay out of AGI.
Because SAVE bases payments on Adjusted Gross Income, every stipend dollar lowers your eventual bill. More money stays free for ski lift tickets in Colorado or paddleboard rentals in Florida.
Action Steps
- Save each pay stub that separates wages and stipends.
- Keep a digital folder titled “2025 Tax Docs – Stipends.”
- File your 2025 return early so the lower AGI feeds your SAVE recertification.
4. Three-Step Debt-Crusher Roadmap
- Enroll (or stay) in SAVE—the online form takes about ten minutes.
- Organise pay records—highlight stipend lines for AGI proof.
- Set a phone reminder for 1 October 2025 to update paperwork well before billing restarts.
Example Case Study – Maya Saves $500 a Month
In our example, Maya, an OT on FlexCare contracts in Austin, owed $106 000. Under REPAYE, she paid $790 each month. After switching to stipend-rich travel pay and enrolling in SAVE, her AGI fell forty percent, dropping her calculated bill to $290. Her loans sit in the SAVE forbearance, and she expects long-term forgiveness in about 20 years. Plenty of time to sample every taco truck on South Congress!
Ready to Craft Your Own Plan?
- Run the numbers with the official calculator on studentaid.gov.
- Map your next contract with FlexCare; let us know you want stipend-heavy pay that keeps AGI lean.
- Consult a licensed financial professional for personalized guidance. FlexCare provides pay and housing details, not tax or investment advice.
Let’s find a contract that fits your loan game plan and your bucket-list city. Reach out to FlexCare, and we will line up roles that keep your wallet and your patients healthy.
Bottom Line
SAVE borrowers have a short window—no payments or interest until at least autumn 2025. Use it to:
- Lock in SAVE for the lowest future bills.
- Maximise tax-free stipends to trim AGI.
- Keep organised records so you are ready the moment billing restarts.
Make these moves and watch loan stress shrink while your travel résumé grows. FlexCare is here to help you land assignments that make financial sense and keep your career on the move.
FlexCare Medical Staffing provides pay rate and assignment information only. For legal, tax, or investment questions, consult a licensed professional.