Contact Laura Katucki – rosiecreek@acsalaska.net / (907) 488-7807

• 1 bedroom, 1 bath, laminate flooring throughout
• Very private setting on 3.6 acres
• Well
• Newly Remodeled Bathroom
• Newly Remodeled Kitchen with Quartz Countertops , under-the-cabinet lighting, and high-end stainless steel appliances
• New septic
• Alaskan windows throughout
• Guest Cabin with heat and electric
• Fenced in Dog Lot
• Direct access to Yukon Quest Trail/Winter Trail
• Direct access to and use of grass airstrip

The student loan debt crisis is at the forefront of people’s minds and in the news recently. Like many who work in non-profit organizations, I hoped to offset my loans with the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program started in 2007 by President George W. Bush (Link). This sounded like a great thing, and I was excited that my time working for UA would not go unrecognized, and welcomed the help with my $80K in student loans.

Unfortunately, I had a rude awakening, and I would like to write everyone a note, so that I may be able to save you 10 years of your life—10 years I lost.�

Under the PSLF, if you work for a public organization such as a school, non-profit, or university, after 10 years your loans may be forgiven.�During those ten years, you must make 120 qualifying payments. Sounds fair, work at a good place for ten years, and your loans are forgiven.�Since this program started in 2007, beginning in 2017 the first to apply will qualify.� Knowing this, I thought it about time to start getting my ducks in a line, and find out what the "qualifying payments" was all about.�And here is where the kicker is. I discovered that payments ONLY QUALIFY if you consolidate your loans under the department of education, and ONLY then does the PSLF forgiveness clock start ticking.�Through the consolidated loan program, your qualifying payments are determined. This means, that even though work may have been done for 10 years at a qualified institution, the time doesn't count toward forgiveness if you didn't consolidate.

So if you are planning on getting some help with your student debt by using the loan forgiveness program, be sure to follow the link, and get your loans consolidated under the correct program, so you will not waste ten years like I did.

Anthony Shaw

The classified section of the Statewide Voice can be used to sell, buy or trade household items, vehicles, computers, etc. It is also a great place to advertise fundraisers or events for sports teams, scout troops, churches and other organizations. No commercial advertising please. To list your classified ad or event listing contact Statewide Voice editor Monique Musick at mmusick@alaska.edu.