SoFi

Using a surrogate, also known as a gestational carrier, involves an arrangement in which a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another couple or individual.

Surrogacy can allow would-be parents an opportunity to have a baby with whom they have a biological link. But gestational carrying can also be complicated, with complex laws and medical procedures that can make the process expensive.

The cost of using a surrogate can run anywhere from $100,000 to $225,000, depending on where you live, whether you need an egg donor, and how many rounds of IVF your surrogate will go through before she conceives.

Read on to learn more about potential fees involved in using a surrogate, as well as some ways to make the process more affordable.

Why is Surrogacy so Expensive?

The lump sum of surrogacy can seem overwhelming. But it’s important to keep in mind that the estimated overall cost is based on averages.

Because surrogacy is unique for all families, your expenses may differ. But knowing the various elements of surrogacy can help you see how each cost plays into the overall price. Here are some typical surrogacy costs that aspiring parents should anticipate.


💡 Quick Tip: Need help covering the cost of a wedding, honeymoon, or new baby? A personal loan can help fund major life events — without the high interest rates of credit cards.

Agency Fee

Because fertility clinics do not find surrogates, would-be parents typically need to find a carrier through a personal connection or an agency. Surrogacy agencies, which have a network of surrogates who have met certain requirements, charge fees that can run $30,000-plus.

The fee covers all of the services provided by the agency, including background checks, screenings, support and education, advertising, marketing, and more.

Agency fees should remain fixed, regardless of how long it takes to complete the surrogacy process.

Recommended: Exploring IVF Financing Options

Surrogate Fee

Working with a gestational carrier can be expensive, running somewhere between $30,000 and $70,000. This fee is paid to the surrogate as compensation for undergoing tests and fertility treatments, carrying and delivering the child, taking on the medical risks involved, and putting themselves through the physical and emotional challenges that surrogacy and pregnancy can involve.

Fertility Clinic Fee

You will also need to work with a fertility clinic to produce embryos. In many cases, couples have already done this before pursuing surrogacy. This can range from $20,000 to $50,000.

Recommended: How Much Does IVF Cost?

Pregnancy Costs

The cost of carrying and delivering a baby can vary in the U.S., depending on location, type of birth, and whether there are any complications, but tends to average around $14,000. The surrogate’s insurance may or may not cover any of this cost. If the surrogate doesn’t have health insurance, the would-be parents may need to purchase a short-term or maternity-only policy for them.

Legal Fees

Surrogacy can involve several psychological, ethical, and legal complexities, and typically requires legal contracts that outline each parties’ responsibilities and compensation.

The intended parents and surrogate typically each need an attorney to negotiate and draft this contract, as well as complete other necessary services. The Intended parents typically pay for everyone’s legal expenses, which can cost from $7,000 to $15,000.

Other Potential Costs

Other expenses that can come up include travel, pregnancy clothing, lost wages, payment for breast milk, and counseling fees.

Recommended: How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Child to 18?

Is Surrogacy Covered by Insurance?

Surrogacy is not typically covered by health insurance, but the situation isn’t always cut and dry. Some health insurance plans include language that clearly specifies the plan does not cover costs for a woman for surrogacy, while a few plans state that they do provide coverage.

Many insurance plans, however, don’t make it entirely clear whether they do or don’t cover surrogacy. Surrogacy agencies, however, can often help intended parents evaluate the surrogate’s health insurance plan to determine whether or not the pregnancy will be covered.

In some cases, the would-be parents will need to purchase outside insurance for the surrogate from a comprehensive surrogacy insurance agency, which can run $12,000 to $30,000.


💡 Quick Tip: With lower fixed interest rates on loans of $5K to $100K, a SoFi personal loan for credit card debt can substantially decrease your monthly bills.

What To Know About Surrogacy Fees

Surrogacy fees are a large portion of the overall surrogacy price tag. But there are ways to possibly minimize these fees.

One common route is using what’s called a “compassionate” surrogate. This is someone — perhaps a friend or relative — who does not want a fee for surrogacy. While the would-be parents will be responsible for expenses, eliminating a carrying fee can make surrogacy much more affordable.

Another option is to search for a surrogate independently instead of going through an agency. This can minimize fees, but can also potentially be complicated because of the complexities involved in surrogacy.

Some families choose a surrogate who lives outside the United States as a way to save on potential costs. International surrogacy may be facilitated by an agency in the home country of the potential surrogate. This too, however, may come with risks including legal risks and travel complications.

Regardless of whether a family uses an agency, a connection, or pursues a surrogate through an independent channel, they will still likely need to use a reproductive lawyer to craft a legal agreement, as well as psychological counseling for all parties to make sure everyone has a place to explore the complex emotions that can come from surrogacy.

How to Pay for Surrogacy

Many people don’t have an extra six figures sitting around in a bank account that they can tap to pay for using a surrogate. But there are some ways that hopeful parents can find funds. Here are some options you may want to consider.

Employee benefits and health insurance. It’s not very common for companies to offer a surrogacy benefit, but it can’t hurt to inquire. There are some companies that offer a maximum family-planning benefit that could be used for processes such as surrogacy. It can also be worthwhile to check your own health insurance benefits. While it may not cover the surrogate’s pregnancy, it may cover procedures would-be parents need to undergo.

Saving up in advance. If you are planning surrogacy for some time in the future, you may want to start putting cash away every month into a savings account, ideally with an above-average interest rate, set up specifically for surrogacy. You can also automate savings by setting up a recurring monthly deposit into this account so it happens no matter what.

Considering financial resources. Some aspiring parents may want to reach out to their family for financial help, or even crowd-source funds through their social media networks. Others may tap into equity, such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or borrowing from their 401(k). Of course, it can be a good idea to explore the pros and cons of these types of loans, including a timeline to pay them back.

Taking out a personal loan. Taking out a personal loan, sometimes referred to as a family planning loan, can be a good option for some would-be parents. Unlike a credit card, a fixed-rate personal loan gives transparency over interest rate and exactly how much money you’ll need to pay back for the life of the loan.

Personal loans can also come with significantly lower interest rates than credit cards. Prior to applying for a loan, it can be a good idea to understand any fees and penalties. Surrogacy agencies and fertility centers also may have loans available.

Applying for a grant. There are some national, regional, and local grants available for some families pursuing surrogacy. Qualifying for a grant may depend on income, location, and personal situation.

Recommended: 5 Tips for Saving for a Baby

The Takeaway

Surrogacy is a process that can help would-be parents have a baby, but it typically comes with considerable costs. These expenses include the medical, legal, and insurance fees that come with contracting a surrogate.

While costs can vary widely based on your location and the type of surrogacy you choose, the total can run around between $100,000 and $225,000.

Because this family-building option is pricey, aspiring parents may want to try to save up in advance, tap certain financial resources, explore grants, and find ways to trim costs, such as asking a friend or family member to be their surrogate.

Another way to help pay for surrogacy is to take out a personal loan, which often comes with a lower interest rate than credit cards.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

This article is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for advice.

SOPL0623066

Sending your child off to college is a major milestone towards their independence. But if your kid decides to get a private student loan, they will most likely need to have a cosigner. Typically, that means mom and dad step up to the plate.

Should parents cosign on student loans? The answer will depend on such factors as your risk tolerance, your child’s probable ability to repay the loan, and if it makes sense for your family and your finances.

Cosigning for a student loan has benefits and disadvantages. There are also other options that can help bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and what you’re able to pay.

This guide will provide important facts to know about being the cosigner on a private student loan.

Why Are Student Loans Cosigned So Often?

It’s no secret that the cost of college education has skyrocketed. Consider these statistics:

•   The average cost of college has doubled since year 2000.

•   The current average cost for one year of college at a public institution is $26,027, including living expenses, with tuition and fees costing $9,678 in-state and $27,091 on average out-of-state.

•   For a private, nonprofit university, that number rises to $55,840 on average, with tuition and fees accounting for $38,768 of that sum.

There are many kinds of funding and different types of student loans to contemplate when budgeting for college. When savings, federal student loans, federal work-study, and scholarships or grants can’t fill the gap, students may look to private lenders to help them cover the rest.

Unfortunately, students just starting out usually don’t have the credit history needed to get a loan from a private lender, so cosigners sometimes step in.

But do students have to have a cosigner for a private student loan? Almost always. Since many lenders won’t lend money to young adults with no or little credit history, they typically require cosigners. Roughly 92% of all private undergraduate student loans have a cosigner.

💡 Quick Tip: You’ll make no payments on some private student loans for six months after graduation.

What Are the Downsides to Cosigning My Child’s Loan?

If you’re looking to privately fund your child’s education costs, it means they likely need the help to pay for college, just like many Americans do. But cosigning for your child’s private student loan is not without potential repercussions. Think over the following:

•   When wondering “Should I cosign a student loan?” do consider your relationship with your child. If something goes wrong — missed payments, extended unemployment, or worse, default — the potential for financial stress could create the possibility of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. If your relationship with your child is already tenuous, bringing financial stress into it will likely not help.

•   Cosigning could put your own finances at risk. You may have the most responsible young adult in the whole state, but if something goes awry and the loan goes into default, the lender may sue you or hire a collection agency to try to recoup the debt.

A student loan default might also tarnish your credit score. Simply signing the loan also affects your score. Even if you’re not the one making payments, you’re still responsible for the loan, according to the major credit bureaus.

Recommended: What Is a Credit Bureau?

What Are Alternatives to Cosigned Loans?

Do parents have to cosign student loans? Not necessarily. And so you may wonder what options you have to cosigning a loan for your child’s education. Here, a few to know about:

The First Step for Federal Aid: FAFSA®

Do parents have to cosign a private student loan? The answer in the previous section was “almost always.” The “almost” part of that answer is “not if they can find other sources of funding.” Scholarships and grants, which don’t have to be repaid, are a good place to start, but they often don’t cover the entire cost of an entire college education. The first source of funding that should be exhausted before any others is federal student aid.

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the first step to figuring out how much federal (and frequently state) financial assistance your child is eligible for. You’ll add your financial information that will determine the amount of federal assistance, which includes Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and other student aid from the federal government, like grants and work-study.

Some states and colleges also base merit aid on FAFSA information, so the application is an important one for all types of financial aid, not just federal.

Establishing Their Credit Score

There are also some other pathways to consider when trying to find loans without a cosigner. One good idea is to have your child start building their credit history. A credit score is typically enhanced over time as the record of their successful payments grows, along with other factors like their outstanding debt, credit mix, and more. A couple of pointers:

•   Your student might start by either getting a secured credit card at a credit union or other financial institution, then showing they can make timely monthly payments on a purchase.

•   If your student is trustworthy and mature, you could also consider adding them as an authorized user to a credit card you already have. You’ll be responsible for making the monthly payments, but they could benefit from your financial behavior.

Scholarships

Loans and scholarships can go hand-in-hand to make college affordable. Like the real estate mantra concerning location, the college payment mantra might be, “Scholarships, scholarships, scholarships!” Money you don’t have to pay back? Yes, please.

The FAFSA will help colleges determine what federal student aid, scholarships, and grants your child might qualify for, but don’t let your student stop there.

Merit scholarships come in all sizes and from diverse sources, including local and national organizations, heritage associations, and various writing and other contests sponsored by nonprofits and other organizations. It might help to look at groups that your family might be closely associated with, such as unions, professional associations, or alumni organizations.

Keep in mind that your child can apply for scholarships while they are still in college, because some are tied to college majors, and your student is likely to have settled on a major after the first year or two. This could open up scholarship options that couldn’t be considered before they declared a major.

Recommended: Pennsylvania Student Loan and Scholarship Information

Budgeting

You might also be able to forego cosigning a student loan by making strategic decisions about education costs. Can your student reduce the overall cost of college by ditching the meal plan, living off campus, or even attending a significantly less expensive college?

Or, instead of paring down expenses, maybe your student could consider boosting their income to avoid the need for a cosigner on a student loan. One idea might be to start a low-cost side hustle. Another could be to take a year off to work — this may be enough to close the gap, avoiding the need for a loan altogether.

Loans for Parents

Parents who don’t mind shouldering more of the cost can also take out their own federal student loans with the Direct PLUS Loan , sometimes referred to as a “parent PLUS loan.”

Even though your student benefits from the loan, they are not the borrower, and you’ll be solely responsible for paying it back. Some parents may consider working out a repayment arrangement between themselves and their student. If this will be the expectation, however, it’s a good idea to discuss the arrangement with your student before taking out this type of loan.

Direct PLUS Loans can also be taken out by graduate or professional students. Whether a parent or a graduate student, there is a downside for the borrower. The interest rate for Direct PLUS Loans is often higher when compared to other federal student loans — 8.05% for the 2023-2024 school year versus 5.50% for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

However, in this scenario, you won’t be asking yourself, “Should a parent cosign a student loan?” because you’re helping fill the gap without depending on your student to pay the loan back.

💡 Quick Tip: Would-be borrowers will want to understand the different types of student loans that are available: private student loans, federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, Direct PLUS loans, and more.

The Takeaway

There are options available to eligible students before considering a private student loan. However, if all other options have been exhausted, a private student loan can be a good choice to help your child complete their college education.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOIS0723005

Many parents want to do whatever they can to help pay for their child’s higher education, which can be quite expensive. In-state education can top $100,000 for four years, and a private education can total $224,360 on average, according to figures from the Education Data Initiative.

Starting to plan and save early and consistently can be vital. But knowing how much to save and where to stash those funds, plus pay for any balance due, is equally important.

Need guidance? Here, what parents need to know about paying for their child’s college education.

How Much Will I Need to Save?

The answer to this question is subjective. Do you plan to try to cover 100% of your child’s college costs, or will student loans, if needed, be palatable? Will your child likely qualify for need-based or merit aid? Might your high achiever be eligible for a college that meets some or all of demonstrated need?

Have you carved out your own retirement savings plan and an emergency fund, and have you focused on paying down your own debt? It’s smart financial planning to get your house in order first, so you can save for your offspring’s college.

The cost of attendance, or “sticker price,” on every college website that estimates the total cost of a year of school can cause, well, sticker shock. But most students do not pay sticker price. They pay the net price, which is that number minus scholarships, grants, and financial aid.

The College Board reports that the average published tuition and fees for full-time students for 2022-23 were:

•   Public four-year college, in-state student: $10,950

•   Public four-year college, out-of-state student: $28,240

•   Private nonprofit four-year college, any student: $39,400.

Remember that the above numbers cite tuition and fees, not the total cost of attendance, which also includes the estimated annual cost of room and board, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, miscellaneous expenses (including for a personal computer), and eligible study-abroad programs.

The upshot: Anticipating the cost of attendance of various colleges, your family’s eligibility for merit and need-based aid, and borrowing tolerance can help you prepare.

If you put a number on a savings target, another key question is: How can I start saving for college?

What Are Some Strategies for Saving?

Here are a few options to consider:

Automating savings. You could set up automatic transfers to a designated college savings account, so you won’t even have to think about it. You can transfer from your checking account or, if it’s an option, opt to direct deposit a portion of your paycheck directly to your savings account.

Putting windfalls to work. Another way to boost savings comes from the planned and unplanned windfalls in life. Getting a tax refund or receiving an inheritance? Keeping an eye out for unexpected money can help you achieve your savings goals.

Pruning expenses. If you haven’t already trimmed your expenses, you can use the natural course of time to turn expenses into savings. For example, once your child no longer needs diapers, you can put that cost toward college savings. When they no longer need daycare, you could funnel what you were paying into your account. If piano lessons end, it’s yet another chance to increase how much you can save.

Finding scholarship matches. Once children get closer to high school graduation, you can help them find scholarships. FastWeb and Scholarships.com are two popular sites among many that will help you search for opportunities. Many allow you to set up a profile for your child that may include interests, intended majors, and even preferred schools — data points that will be used to help match your child with scholarships.

It’s usually more cost-effective to save than borrow, of course. Every dollar you borrow can cost you more than that dollar once you add interest.

Many parents use a mix of sources to fund their children’s education. For example, you could save a third of your target, pay a third during your child’s time in college, and borrow the last third.

💡 Quick Tip: You can fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

Which Savings Plan Is Right for Me?

If you have your target goal and a plan to make regular contributions, you’re ready to weigh which investment vehicles will fit your needs. Here are some common savings tools.

529 Plans

The 529 college savings plan is a tax-advantaged account to save for higher education costs, and it has become popular with parents saving for college. Anyone, even non-family members, can set one up and make contributions on behalf of a beneficiary. Some details:

•   Contributions to 529s are made with after-tax dollars, but they grow tax-free, and capital gains are tax-free as long as withdrawals are used to pay for qualified education expenses.

•   Any withdrawals that are not used for higher education expenses may be subject to penalties and taxes.

•   If your child doesn’t go to college, the funds still need to be spent on education to avoid taxes and penalties. But you have the ability to change the beneficiary of a 529 account to another family member.

This means that if your oldest child does not use the funds for college, you can change the beneficiary on the 529 to a sibling or even a family member in the next generation.

•   If your child receives a scholarship for college, you can withdraw the amount of the scholarship from the 529 plan penalty-free. If you decide to withdraw it for another purpose, you’ll pay a 10% penalty, plus regular income taxes.

•   Annual contributions to a 529 plan are not limited, but any amount you give the beneficiary will be part of your annual $17,000 gift tax exclusion. The IRS will let you (and your spouse, if you elect to split gifts) make five years of contributions at once without paying gift taxes.

•   Many states offer these plans, so you’ll want to start by finding out if your state offers any tax incentives to participate in your own state’s sponsored plan. If you discover that your state does not offer additional tax benefits for contributions, you can shop around for the lowest fees.

Then there are 529 prepaid tuition plans , offered by a dwindling number of states, that allow parents, grandparents, and others to prepay tuition and mandatory fees at today’s rates at eligible colleges and universities.

•   Currently, nine states offer them: Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.

•   Most state prepaid tuition plans require you or your child to be a resident of the state offering the plan when you apply. Most allow the funding to be transferred to a sibling.

•   Qualified distributions from prepaid 529 plans are exempt from federal income taxes and might also be exempt from state and local taxes.

•   The Private College 529, not run by a state, offers guaranteed prepaid tuition at many participating colleges and universities, with no residency requirements.

Coverdell Education Savings Account

A Coverdell education savings account can also be used to pay for qualified education expenses.

The annual contribution limit is $2,000. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but they grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified expenses are tax-free.

The account is limited to certain incomes. The current limit is a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $110,000 per person or $220,000 if filing jointly.

💡 Quick Tip: Need a private student loan to cover your school bills? Because approval for a private student loan is based on creditworthiness, a cosigner may help a student get loan approval and a lower rate.

UTMA and UGMA Accounts

A Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) or Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA) custodial account can be set up to pay any expense that benefits a minor. Here’s more intel on how these work:

•   When your child reaches the age of majority, 18 or 21, depending on the state, they will be able to use the money for whatever they want, so many parents are wary of using these to plan for college. (However, the funds could become an investment plan for your child if they didn’t go to college.)

•   The flip side is your child won’t be limited to just paying for education expenses and can use the money for living arrangements, a car, or other necessary purchases.

•   There are no contribution limits for UTMA and UGMA accounts, and they can be funded with any combination of cash and investments. Annual gift tax exclusions apply.

•   Because contributions are made with after-tax dollars, there are no taxes on withdrawals, but there may be taxes on capital gains.

What About Student Loans?

Students can have access to scholarships and grants, which can help make college more affordable. In addition, your student may have to take out federal student loans to make it to graduation day. You can also shoulder some of the load.

Parent PLUS loans can be one way to help your child afford college. They are student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education, and parents become the borrower. You can borrow up to the amount of education expenses not covered by other financial aid. It’s easier to qualify if you don’t have a good credit history.

Parent PLUS loans have a fixed interest rate, currently 8.05%, with a typical term of 10 years that may be extended to 25 years. However, unlike federal student loans, Parent PLUS Loans come with a fairly high origination fee — it’s currently 4.228%.

Even with savings, federal student loans, grants, and scholarships, your child may still have unmet needs. Private student loans, offered by private lenders, are often used to fill those gaps.

•   Depending on your situation, student loan refinancing can also lower your monthly payment. Many online lenders consider a variety of factors when determining your eligibility and loan terms, however, including your educational background, earning potential, credit score, and other factors. And if you’re lowering your monthly payment by extending your loan term, you may pay more interest over the life of the loan.

•   With private parent student loans, you, the parent, take responsibility for the loan. Another option can be undergrad private student loans that allow a cosigner. If you cosign, you and the student are responsible for the loan.

•   It’s important to know that federal student loans come with benefits, including income-driven repayment options and student loan forgiveness, that private lenders do not offer.

Recommended: Student Loans Guide

The Takeaway

Paying for a child’s college education involves two key things: saving early and consistently. Most students will still end up borrowing in order to pay for the many expenses of higher education.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

President Joe Biden vowed to keep fighting to deliver relief from federal student loan debt to millions of Americans hours after his plan was rejected by the highest court in the land.

The President said in a June 30 press conference he is changing the Department of Education’s income-driven repayment program “so no one with an undergraduate loan has to pay more than 5% of their discretionary income.”

Biden is also creating an “on ramp” program that will allow federal loan borrowers to not be considered delinquent if they miss a payment from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024. The president says the Education Department won’t refer borrowers who fail to pay their student loan bills to credit agencies for those 12 months, to give borrowers time to “get back up and running.”

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Biden’s student-loan forgiveness plan in a 6-3 ruling released earlier on June 30, saying that the Biden Administration did not have the authority to forgive federal student loan debt for more than 43 million loan holders without Congressional approval.

Biden’s One-Time Forgiveness Plan That Was Rejected

Biden’s targeted debt forgiveness plan, announced in August 2022, would have erased up to $20,000 in federal student loans for individuals making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Some 26 million U.S. borrowers applied for relief before the program was halted due to legal challenges.

At least 20 million people could have been approved and seen their federal loan debt erased entirely if the program had gone through, according to the administration. The plan could have wiped out more than $400 billion in federal student debt.

In a statement released June 30 after the Supreme Court ruling, President Biden said his plan would have been “life-changing for millions of Americans and their families.” He said, “Nearly 90 percent of the relief from our plan would have gone to borrowers making less than $75,000 a year, and none of it would have gone to people making more than $125,000.”

The Supreme Court’s Ruling

However, the court majority said that President Biden exceeded his constitutional authority in the debt forgiveness program. After hearing arguments in February, the court held that the administration needed Congressional authorization to take such action. The majority rejected arguments that a 2003 law dealing with student loans, known as the HEROES Act, gave Biden the power he claimed.

“Six States sued, arguing that the HEROES Act does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court.

Interest on all federal student loan debt, regardless of income, is set to resume accruing starting on Sept. 1, 2023, and payments will be due starting in October, per the debt ceiling bill.

Other Student Loan Relief Plans Draw Focus

In addition to the “on ramp” plan, Biden said he will strengthen a program that reduces federal loan holders’ debt based on their income. It is called the SAVE plan and is part of his effort to make student loan debt more manageable, especially for low-income borrowers.

Under SAVE, borrowers who are single and make less than $32,800 a year won’t have to make any payments at all. (If you are a family of four and make less than $67,500 annually, you also won’t have to make payments.)

For years, people who struggled to pay their federal student loans could enroll in the government’s Income-Driven Repayment Plans . Such a plan set your monthly federal student loan payment at an amount that was intended to be affordable based on your income and family size. It has taken into account different expenses in your budget.

The four existing income-based plans are: Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR). The SAVE plan replaces the REPAYE program.

Supreme Court Ruling Draws Strong Response

Supporters of Biden’s federal debt forgiveness plan criticized the Supreme Court, saying student debt has become a national crisis. More than 45 million people collectively owe $1.6 trillion, according to U.S. government data.

The average federal student loan debt balance is $37,338, while the total average balance (including private student loan debt) may be as high as $40,114, according to educationdata.org.

Some called for President Biden to continue his push to slash federal student loan debt.

“I see it as an unfortunate reality that in a country where we bail out Fortune 100 companies, where we bail out banks that have not been good actors, that this Supreme Court would allow that to happen, and yet,” says Derrick Johnson, the NAACP’s president and CEO, the court would choose to leave millions of borrowers “stuck in a vicious cycle of debt.”

The Takeaway

President Joe Biden vowed to continue trying to provide federal student loan debt relief after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his debt-forgiveness plan, saying the president did not have the authority to take such action.

One step his Department of Education has already taken to help financially strapped borrowers: it is instituting an “on-ramp” to repayment so that late payments will not be considered delinquent during the 12-month period from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024. The DOE will also offer a new SAVE program that lowers the percentage of income that repayment amounts will be based on.

SoFi’s Student Loan Help Center may be able to help

FAQ

Can I get my federal student loan debt canceled through the President’s plan?

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Joe Biden’s debt forgiveness program for those whose household income falls below a certain cutoff. That debt cancellation plan, which received more than 25 million applications in 2022, is now blocked.

Is the pause in paying my federal student loan coming to an end soon?

Yes. Due to the debt ceiling bill recently passed by Congress, the pause in repaying federal student loans is ending, regardless of the Supreme Court decision. Interest on federal student loans will resume accruing on Sept. 1, 2023, and payments will be due starting in October. According to Federal Student Aid (FSA) with the Department of Education, “Once the payment pause ends, you’ll receive your billing statement or other notice at least 21 days before your payment is due. This notice will include your payment amount and due date.”

I don’t know who my federal loan servicer is — and what does the servicer do?’

A loan servicer is a company that Federal Student Aid (FSA) assigns to handle the billing and other services on your federal student loan on its behalf. A loan servicer can work with you on repayment options (such as income-driven repayment plans and loan consolidation ) and assist you with other tasks related to your federal student loans.

If you’re not sure who your loan servicer is, visit your account dashboard and scroll down to the “My Loan Servicers” section, or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243.

Photo credit: iStock/Perry Spring

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

A ring can be a significant investment. And often it’s only the beginning of wedding expenses as you consider a future as a couple. That’s why it can be a good idea to consider your options if engagement ring financing is in your future.

Some people may save in advance and therefore won’t need wedding ring financing. But if you’re not among them, you might be looking at how to finance an engagement ring. There are definitely options, but an important thought to keep in mind is staying within an affordable — for you — range and not comparing how much other people may feel comfortable spending on an engagement ring.

Why Not Pay for an Engagement Ring Upfront?

If you’ve just begun browsing engagement rings, you will likely see they come at a variety of price points. The best price for an engagement ring? One you can actually afford.

In the past, there’s been a rule of thumb that an engagement ring should cost the equivalent of three months’ salary. But that “rule of thumb” is likely rooted in industry advertising from the 1930s and it doesn’t reflect the current reality.

In fact, Americans spend just a fraction of that amount on an engagement ring — $5,225 on average in 2022. Considering that the average monthly U.S. income is also about $4,880, abiding by the three-months rule would mean spending $14,640 on the ring. Increasingly, young Millennials and Gen Zers think engagement rings should cost no more than $2,500.

Can you finance an engagement ring? Yes, and there are several avenues available to you. But no matter what the average engagement ring cost is, it’s a good idea to buy a ring you can comfortably afford without financing. But even if you have cash ready to buy a ring, you may still consider financing options. People typically finance a ring because:

•   They want liquid cash available for upcoming wedding expenses.

•   They may not be able to pay cash for a ring without significantly dipping into their emergency savings, which could become problematic if an unexpected expense crops up.

•   They may want to spread the payment of an engagement ring across several pay cycles, or may be waiting for a large sum of cash to hit their account.

•   They may want to take advantage of purchase protection available on their credit card for a large purchase. However, purchase protection may not apply for a ring, as there are exclusions for certain categories of purchase, such as antiques or one-of-a-kind items.

•   They may want to take advantage of credit card points that come with a large purchase.

Recommended: Credit Card Rewards 101: Getting the Most Out of Your Credit Card

Engagement Ring Financing Options

There are multiple options for financing an engagement ring, and the best option for you may be as unique as the ring you choose for your partner.

These include:

•   Personal loans.

•   Credit card.

•   Buy now, pay later options.

•   Jeweler loan.

Here are some things to consider as you consider options for financing an engagement ring.

Financing an Engagement Ring with a Personal Loan

What is a personal loan? It’s a lump-sum loan that can be used to pay off other bills or to pay for an expense, like buying an engagement ring.

With a fixed interest rate and a payment end date, using a personal loan for engagement ring financing can be a good option if you have a budget for paying the ring off, or want to spread the payment through a longer period of time. That way, you can still have available emergency savings and not have to liquidate other assets.

But whether or not to get a personal loan is something that takes careful thought. You may be tempted to look at more expensive rings than you might have if you had been paying cash upfront. And that engagement ring loan includes paying interest in addition to the actual cost of the ring. It can also be a good idea to make sure that you can comfortably afford the loan payments and that it wouldn’t be an excessive burden if you were to lose income.

Financing an Engagement Ring With a Credit Card

Using a credit card for an engagement ring purchase may make sense if you have the cash to pay your bill at the end of the month. It also may make sense if you have a credit card with 0% APR and are confident you can pay off the ring before the promotional period ends.

Some people also may want to use a credit card to earn points or to take advantage of purchase protection. But before you pull out your card, consider a few things:

•   Does your jeweler offer a discount for cash purchases? If so, then that discount may be worth considering cash options rather than paying with a credit card.

•   Does purchase protection cover a ring? It may be worth calling your credit card company, since your ring may fall under exclusionary categories.

Financing an Engagement Ring With a Buy Now, Pay Later Loan

A buy now, pay later loan (BNPL) works like it sounds — a purchase is spread out over time. Unlike different types of personal loans, a BNPL loan (also called a point-of-sale loan) may be done through a merchant or through a virtual card. These may have no interest if you pay in a set amount of time, but the repayment period may be short and there may be fees involved.

Financing an Engagement Ring With a Jeweler Loan

Some jewelers offer their own loan programs. These may have promotional periods where you can take advantage of a 0% interest rate, and may also come with additional perks, such as discounts for future purchases or a discount on future repairs. Jeweler loans also may have a fixed rate of interest.

But this interest rate may be higher than an interest rate you could get with a personal loan or on your credit card. You also may be required to put a down payment on the purchase.

Can You Finance an Engagement Ring With Bad Credit?

If you have bad credit, you may find it a challenge to qualify for engagement ring financing. That said, it’s not impossible.

Some jewelers offer financing plans for customers with less-than-stellar credit. which may come with a higher interest rate or require a co-signer. You may also want to look into whether the jeweler offers a layaway program, where you put down a percentage of the total amount due and make smaller payments over time. When the balance is paid off, you can bring the ring home.

Tips for Buying an Engagement Ring

Consider the pros and cons of engagement ring finance options, and remember that after the engagement ring comes wedding expenses. It may be a good idea to talk through engagement ring options with your partner prior to a proposal, especially if you’re already sharing your finances. While it may not feel as spontaneous, talking through big purchases that mutually affect you may be good practice for combining your lives.

Other tips for buying an engagement ring:

•   Ask your partner what they want. Also, talk to your family and their family: A relative may have heirloom jewelry they’d like to pass down.

•   Browse together. In addition to looking at jewelry stores, consider estate sales, antique stores, and browsing online to get a sense of styles and prices.

•   Negotiate. Some jewelers may offer a discount if you pay in cash.

•   Remember ring insurance. An engagement ring may not be covered under your homeowner’s policy without an added rider to the policy or may be covered only in specific circumstances. Research insurance policies before you buy the ring.

Looking for a Personal Loan? What to Consider

While there are many uses for a personal loan, it can also be an avenue that makes sense for engagement ring finance. Having a fixed interest rate and a finite loan term allows you to know exactly what you’re paying each month, and spreading the cost over time may mean the purchase fits within your monthly budget. Here are some things to consider when using a personal loan to buy an engagement ring:

•   What are the fees? Some loans may have fees, such as an origination fee (when you open the loan) or an early termination fee (if you pay off the loan early). Make sure you know any potential fees prior to applying for the loan.

•   Know your budget. Just because you can get approved for a certain size loan doesn’t mean that’s the best choice for you. Make sure you choose a loan size you’re comfortable with.

•   Know the loan terms. Some loans have hardship clauses that may help if you are at risk of falling behind on payments due to an unforeseen financial strain.

•   Shop around. Compare loan terms and interest rates for personal loan pricing. Comparing rates won’t affect your credit score. A hard credit check will only be done when you apply for the loan.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

The Takeaway

With a big purchase like an engagement ring, there are several avenues for paying for the purchase. Considering the pros and cons of each option can help you decide on the best one for you. And remember: An engagement ring is only one expense in the future you are creating for you and your partner, so consider it the first of many financial steps in your future as a married couple.

Getting married is one of life’s biggest moments. But if you’re in wedding planning mode, you know the expenses can really add up. Why not let SoFi help with a personal loan ranging from $5k to $100K? A SoFi Wedding Loan can offer fast funding and a lower rate compared to high-interest credit cards.

Say “I do” to an affordable SoFi Wedding Loan.

Photo credit: iStock/Delmaine Donson
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOPL0623013