Arkansas residents owe more than $10.8 billion in debt, with the average Arkansas college borrower carrying a balance of a little less than $27,000 — slightly less than the national average. Hundreds of thousands of Arkansas residents are actively working to manage their student loans.
For some, the state provides financial assistance that makes paying off their loans a faster option.
Repayment assistance for teachers
Many states run repayment assistance programs for professionals whose services are in need in particular geographic areas. In Arkansas, teachers who agree to work in specific subject matter fields or geographic locations may be eligible to receive financial assistance through the State Teacher Education Program (STEP).
How the program works
Licensed Arkansas teachers may receive up to $3,000 per year for teaching in:
- A public school located in an geographic area designated as having a critical shortage of teachers, or
- A subject matter area designated as having a critical shortage of teachers.
The program is capped at three years.
Minority teachers meeting either of the above criteria are eligible to receive an additional $1,000 per year.
Eligibility requirements
To participate in STEP, a teacher must:
- Be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months prior to the application deadline.
- Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien.
- Have graduated from a teacher education program after April 2004.
- Have outstanding federal student loans.
- Hold a valid Arkansas teacher's license.
- Teach full-time at an Arkansas public school district .
Applicants must re-apply each year, for no more than three years.
What loans are eligible
Only federal loans are eligible for the STEP program.
How to apply
The annual application deadline is June 1st. To apply, visit the Arkansas Department of Education website for more information.
What to do if you don’t qualify for loan forgiveness
If you're not a teacher, don't fret. There are many other ways to manage your student loan debt that could work for you.
Let's check out a few of them.
1. Refinance your loans
When you refinance your student loans with a private lender, you can: (1) reduce your monthly payment and (2) decrease the amount you'll pay over the life of the loan. This double whammy for your bank account is possible because when you refinance, you don't just change your repayment term or reallocate your payments — you lower your interest rate.
Dropping even a point from your interest rate could save you thousands of dollars. In fact, the average borrower who refinances can lower their payment by $258 per month or save more than $16,000 over the life of their loan.
2. Apply for federal grants or forgiveness programs
If Arkansas's forgiveness program doesn't apply to you, you may be able to seek forgiveness for your student loans through the federal government. Check out our ultimate list of grants to pay off your student loans to find a program that could benefit you.
The most well-known federal forgiveness option is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Participants can get their student loans discharged after 10 years working for an eligible non-profit organization or government agency. Because this program focuses on public service rather than specific industries, any career path could be eligible as long as it involves public service.
3. Sign up for an income-driven repayment plan
Applying for an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan could save you money each month, and if you have federal loans, you're eligible. Monthly payments under an IDR plan are capped at an amount between 10% and 20% of your discretionary income.
See: Discretionary Income: Why It Matters for Student Loans
Before you apply, use our calculator to determine what your payments would be under an income-based repayment plan — sometimes getting on an IDR plan could actually increase your payments, depending on your income.
If the Arkansas forgiveness programs aren't in your future, find out how much you could save by refinancing your student loans.
View More Details
Special offers for medical resident and fellow refinance products
- Fixed rates: 4.39% - 9.24% APR
- Variable rates: 2.50% - 9.24% APR
- Minimum credit: 650
Splash Financial is a leader in student loan refinancing with some of the lowest fixed in the industry which can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loans. No application or origination fees and no prepayment penalties. Splash Financial is in all 50 states and is intensely focused on customer service. Splash Financial is also one of the few companies that offers a great medical resident and fellow refinance product. You can check your rate with Splash in just minutes.
- Low interest rates – especially for graduate students
- No application or origination fees. No prepayment penalties.
- Co-signer release program - you can apply for a cosigner release form your loan after 12 months of on-time payments
- Specialty product for doctors in training with low monthly payment
Click here to see more of Splash's offerings and to see how you can save money.
View More Details
SoFi is the leading student loan refinancing provider.
- Fixed rates: 3.99% - 8.24% APR
- Variable rates: 2.49% - 7.99% APR
- Minimum credit: 650
$30 billion+ in refinanced student loans. SoFi has some of the lowest interest rates and, unlike the other lenders we reviewed, there's no maximum on the amount you can finance. Some state restrictions may apply.
- Serious savings: Save thousands of dollars thanks to flexible terms and low fixed or variable rates.
- No hidden fees, no catch: No application or origination fees. No pre-payment penalties.
- Fast, easy, and all online: Simple online application and access to live customer support 7 days a week.
- Access to member benefits: SoFi members get career coaching, financial advice, and more—all at no cost.
- 98% of surveyed members would recommend SoFi to a friend
Save thousands on your student loans and pay off your loans sooner. Find your rate.
View More Details
Works with 300+ community lenders for higher approval chances
- Fixed rates: 2.49% - 7.75% APR
- Variable rates: 1.90% - 5.25% APR
- Minimum credit: 660
Connecting student borrowers to a network of over 300 community lenders with low interest rates. By partnering with these lenders, LendKey is able to give consumers direct access to the best rates available from the most borrower friendly institutions. As the servicer of all loans obtained through its platform, you can rest easy knowing your personal information will be safe and that the best customer service team will be ready to answer your questions from application until your final payment.
- Lightning fast rate check - 2-minute rate check with no impact on your credit score
- More lenders, more options - see the best offers from over 300+ community lenders for higher approval chances
- Life of loan relationship - With LendKey, your personal information will never be sent or passed on to third parties. Their customer service team is with you from the moment you land on their website until you've completely repaid your loan.
- Unmatched benefits- Community lenders put people over profits and offer unique benefits like cosigner release after 12 on-time payments, interest only repayment options to keep monthly payments low, the largest unemployment protection period in the market, and more.
View More Details
Best for borrowers who want to customize their repayment schedule to pay off debt fast.
- Fixed rates: 4.39% - 8.99% APR (with 0.25% autopay discount)
- Variable rates: 3.99% - 8.29% APR (with 0.25% autopay discount)
- Minimum credit: 650
Using technology, data, and design to build affordable products, Earnest's lending products are built for a new generation seeking to reach life's milestones. The company understands every applicant's unique financial story to offer the lowest possible rates and radically flexible loan options for living life.
- Commitment-free 2 minute rate check
- Client Happiness can be reached via in app messaging, email, and phone
- No fees for origination, prepayment, or loan disbursement
- Flexible terms let you pick your exact monthly payment or switch between fixed and variable rates
- Skip a payment and make it up later
- Online dashboard is designed to make it easy to apply for and manage your loan
Click here to apply with Earnest and to see how much you can save.
I reduced my student loan payment by $152 per month, by refinancing thru Nitro
