May 7, 2026

Listen in with student debt expert Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series covering the latest news and information on student loans.

In this episode we have seven major topics we’re addressing:

RAP rule change alert
What does this rule change mean for repayment strategies
Class of 2026 new grads, STILL do not consolidate
Determine your IDR profile, know your monthly interest accrual, know your starting repayment balance, & run your Simulations!
RAP subsidies – what are they? Will you benefit? For how long?
What’s next? RAP to IBR 2014 vs. IBR 2014 only vs. RAP only vs. other?
How to get help

 
As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.  

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Urgent message for Class of 2026: https://vinfoundation.org/urgent-for-class-of-2026-do-not-consolidate-your-federal-student-loans/
2026 New Grad Student Loan Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/
Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details — VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
VIN Foundation WikiDebt: IDR Profiles
Student Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim 
VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/
VIN Foundation Get Updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
VIN Foundation GIVE page to support this podcast: https://vinfoundation.org/give
VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts: 

2025 Year End Wrap & Preparing for 2026: https://vinfoundation.org/federal-student-loan-repayment-2025-year-end-wrap-and-preparing-for-2026/
40 veterinary school simulations in 60 days: 40 in 60 Project: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-student-debt/40-veterinary-school-loan-estimations-in-60-days/
Changes to federal student loans come into focus: https://vinfoundation.org/changes-federal-student-loans-come-into-focus/
Student Loan Repayment: Trying to leave the SAVE forbearance? Choose PAYE: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loan-repayment-trying-to-leave-the-save-forbearance-choose-paye/ 
Student Loans in SAVE Plan Will Start Accruing Interest August 1st: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loans-in-save-plan-will-start-accruing-interest-august-1st/ 

Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/ 
Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/
One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment  https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment
Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Have a veterinary story you want to share? https://share.hsforms.com/1e6QkQvg2RI-wpDv59Byqkwcos60
Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
Email VIN Foundation: [email protected]
Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt. 
You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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