Student Loans 101: Repayment Strategies, Forgiveness Basics, and Common Mistakes

Promotional graphic for a live #CreditChat titled “Student Loans 101: Repayment Strategies, Forgiveness Basics, and Common Mistakes.” Event is July 29, 2026, from 3–4 PM ET on X. Image shows a student with a backpack smiling while looking at a smartphone and carrying notebooks, with Experian branding.

Join our weekly #CreditChat, launched in 2012 to help our community strengthen their understanding of credit and key personal finance topics such as saving, managing debt, and building healthier credit scores. Hosted by @Experian on X (formerly Twitter), the conversation is open to everyone—feel free to DM us with any questions.

This week’s #CreditChat breaks down the essentials of student loan management. We’ll cover repayment options, forgiveness programs, and common pitfalls to avoid. Join us to make informed decisions about your student debt.

Topic: Student Loans 101: Repayment Strategies, Forgiveness Basics, and Common Mistakes

When: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Where: Join the live hashtag discussion

The panel will include: Jorrell Bland: Wealth Advisor at Mitlin Financial, Inc.; Nika Booth: Award-winning debt expert and founder of DebtFreeGonnaBe.com; Leslie H. Tayne, Esq: Founder and Managing Director of Tayne Law Group, P.C. (f/k/a The Law Offices of Leslie H. Tayne, P.C.); Robert Farrington: Founder of The College Investor; Jennifer White: Consumer Education and Advocacy Team, and Christina Roman: Sr. Consumer Education and Advocacy Manager at Experian.

Questions we will discuss:

  1. Student loan repayment can feel overwhelming.What’sone thing you wish you had known before you started repaying your student loans?
  1. What are the differences between the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), the Tiered Standard Plan, and Income-Based Repayment (IBR)?
  1. What are some common misconceptions about student loan forgiveness programs, and how can borrowers find reliable information?
  1. How do extra payments toward student loans affect repayment, and what should borrowers know before paying more than the minimum?
  1. If someone is struggling to make their student loan payments, what are some proactive steps they can take before missing a payment?
  1. What are some of the most common mistakes borrowers make when managing student loans, and how can they avoid them?
  1. How can student loan payments impact your credit, and what are some ways borrowers can build and maintain healthy credit while repaying their loans?
  1. How can student loan repayment fit into a broader financial plan that also includes saving for emergencies, retirement, or other goals?
  1. What resources or tools have you found helpful for understanding repayment options, tracking progress, or staying organized with student loans?
  2. What’s one action every borrower should take this month to improve their student loan situation?

Check out our complete list of upcoming personal finance Twitter chats here.

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