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VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | prevet resources veterinary student resources veterinarian resources | Nonprofit free veterinary resources | Blog | Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student debt news | Veterinary medicine podcast vetmed podcast student debt podcast

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student debt news

Listen in with VIN Foundation board member and Student Debt Education lead Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. In this episode we’re covering the latest news on income-driven repayment application changes

Topics covered included:

What happened to the Income-Driven Repayment application?
If borrowers are using an income-driven payment plan right now, what should they do?
How do these changes impact monthly payments for borrowers?
How about borrowers who are hoping for PSLF? How do the recent changes impact them?
What’s the best approach for borrowers when dealing with loan servicers?

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

NOTE: This is an ongoing situation, for continued updates visit the VIN Foundation Blog and student debt message board areas.

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:
VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
Time for your student loan physical exam? VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
VIN Foundation Download My IDR Progress Google Chrome extension to help you grab a copy of your IDR forgiveness progress
VIN Foundation Blog, most recent:

All IDR applications for student loans are paused – Now what?
February 2025 Q&A from Climbing Mt. Debt Webinar: What’s Next for your Student Loans?

VIN Foundation Navigating Uncertainty Checklist, what you can do now: https://vinfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/VIN-Foundation-What-You-Can-Do-Now-Navigating-Student-Loan-Uncertainty.pdf
Climbing Mt. Debt webinar: What’s Next for Your Student Loans? by VIN and VIN Foundation, February 5th, 2025: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/repay-wiser-veterinary-school-debt-loan-repayment/#MostRecentWebinar
VIN Foundation Relevant WikiDebt Resources:

IDR Profiles: What is your IDR profile?
IDR Discretionary income calculations

Personalized student loan help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
Department of Education Updates on Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE Plan):

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-court-actions
https://www.ed.gov/save
https://studentaid.gov/

VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
VIN Foundation GIVE page to support programs these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give
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]
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

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Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan announcements and what you need to know as we close out 2024

Listen in with student debt experts and Board Member Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. In this episode we’re covering the latest news on student loans as we close out 2024 and start 2025.

Topics covered included:

December 18, 2024 US Department of Education announcement on Pay As Your Earn (PAYE) and Income Contingent Repayment (ICR)
Timeframes/features and additional information about PAYE and ICR
Income Driven Repayment (IDR) profiles
What this latest news means for the Save On Valuable Education (SAVE) plan
Where things stand on the One-time Forgiveness Adjustment
Additional helpful information for borrowers

GUEST BIO:

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter
Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details — VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans
VIN Foundation IDR Profiles: WikiDebt – IDR Eligibility
Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim
VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt
VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/
VIN Foundation GIVE page to support programs these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give
VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts:

PAYE and ICR income-driven repayment plans temporarily reactivated https://vinfoundation.org/paye-and-icr-income-driven-repayment-plans-temporarily-reactivated/
The election is over. Change is on the horizon. What is next for your student loans? https://vinfoundation.org/the-election-is-over-change-is-on-the-horizon-what-is-next-for-your-student-loans/
Student Loan FAQs and What’s Next?
https://vinfoundation.org/september-2024-student-loan-update-faqs-and-whats-next/
SAVE is blocked. What does that mean for your student loans?: https://vinfoundation.org/save-recent-court-rulings/
Choosing between PAYE and SAVE income-driven plans: Are you in The Pickle? https://vinfoundation.org/choosing-between-paye-and-save-income-driven-plans-are-you-in-the-pickle/
A ‘new’ income-driven repayment plan? https://vinfoundation.org/a-new-income-driven-repayment-plan/

Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/
Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionary income calculations, WikiDebt: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&catId=74141&id=7249857
Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/
Department of Education Updates on Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE Plan): https://www.ed.gov/save
SAVE Plan Court Actions: Impact on Borrowers: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-court-actions
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, and LinkedIn.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels on the latest student loan announcements and what you need to know as we close out 2024 Read More »

VIN Foundation | Supporting veterinarians to cultivate a healthy animal community | free resources veterinary students veterinarians | Blog | Veterinary Pulse Podcast | Veterinary Pulse Podcast with Dr. Trae Cutchin

Dr. Trae Cutchin vulnerably shares his career journey story, the struggles along the way, and the power of perseverance

1 Comment / Inhale/Exhale, Veterinary Career Journeys, Veterinary Diversity Equity Inclusion Podcast, Veterinary Pulse Podcast / By vinfoundation

Listen in as we talk with VIN Foundation board member Dr. Trae Cutchin as he shares his story of ongoing perseverance. Trae shares his personal experience coming out of the closet as a gay man with the fear of legal implications, to finding himself dealing with an unexpected addiction and the road to recovery, to the trials and tribulations of owning a veterinary practice and coming out the other side of a cancer diagnosis. Trae’s story will touch your heart and highlight the common threads we experience as humans, working on ourselves and trying to be better in all the roles in our lives.

*Trigger warning* a quick heads up, some of the content in today’s episode may include a trigger as it relates to substance abuse disorder.

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

GUEST BIO:

Trae Cutchin, DVM
Trae Cutchin, DVM, is a 1988 graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, is originally from Alabama. He has worked as a regular veterinary associate in full services hospitals, in a feline only practice for four years, and as an emergency room clinician for three years. For several years he operated his own relief service in the metro Atlanta area, and then opened his own full service practice in Flowery Branch, a bedroom community just north of metro Atlanta in 2006. He is married to his partner of twenty-five years and has two step kids and three step grandchildren. He has two dogs, Turbo and Shelley, and three cats, Mightie, Tessa, and Sushi. When he isn’t working as a veterinarian, he spends a lot of time working in his lawn and gardens. He is involved with the Veterinary Information Network as a VIN Representative and as a mentor in the VIN Virtual Veterinary Internship program as a mentor.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

Virtual Veterinary Internship: https://www.vin.com/AppUtil/Project/DefaultAdv1.aspx?pid=26071
VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v
VIN Foundation Start Up Club: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-practice-start-up-club/
Support this podcast: https://vinfoundation.org/podcast
Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy Book: https://www.amazon.com/Kirks-Current-Veterinary-Therapy-XV/dp/1437726895

If you enjoy these stories, please consider donating to the VIN Foundation to help us continue this work. https://vinfoundation.org/give
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, or LinkedIn.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Trae Cutchin vulnerably shares his career journey story, the struggles along the way, and the power of perseverance Read More »

Dr. Andrew Moffatt on recognizing burnout, lessons learned while building a business, and helping future colleagues

Leave a Comment / Inhale/Exhale, Veterinary Career Journeys, Veterinary Pulse Podcast / By vinfoundation

Listen in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan Benshea chats with Dr. Andrew Moffatt about his veterinary career journey from his early dreams of being a fish doctor to the CEO of VetnCare. Andrew shares lessons learned on his path and how his motivation is driven by a passion to help future colleagues be their best selves.
GUEST BIO:
Dr. Andrew Moffatt
Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Andrew Moffatt, DVM, MBA, at the age of five, told his mother, with a firm commitment, that he wanted to be an “animal doctor”. Some 20 years later Dr. Moffatt graduated with a degree in Veterinary Science from Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand in 2006.

He started his veterinary career at Cliffe Veterinary Group in East Sussex, England, then made the move to London and took on the role of Clinical Director at Chadwell Heath Veterinary Practice. Dr. Moffatt then joined The Village Veterinary Group (CVS) as Clinical Director, managing four busy hospitals and 55 staff. Whilst living in London, he completed an Executive MBA at Cass Business School.

In between these permanent positions Dr. Moffatt worked in another 20 hospitals for varying lengths of time, and made the move to California in the fall of 2011 and lives in San Francisco with his black and white cat Monstey. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, fly-fishing, cycling, and diving.

Dr. Moffatt tries to offer his clients and their pets health care advice that is honest, ethical, and compassionate. His has advanced skills in surgery (both soft tissue and orthopedics), imaging (ultrasound, radiology, and endoscopy), dentistry, oncology, and exotic patient care, enjoys seeing species such as rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, pigs, goats, and even fish! He is obtaining his certification as a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) with the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and is Fear Free Certified.

Dr. Moffatt is the Founder and current CEO of VetnCare, Inc, a growing group of veterinary hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area. These days his main foci are New Graduate mentorship, Veterinarian recruitment, and clinical leadership and operations.

In 2017 Dr. Moffatt was awarded the California Veterinary Medical Association’s “RVT’s Outstanding DVM of the Year”. This award recognizes Dr. Moffatt’s hard work and dedication to his patients, clients and staff alike and rewards his focus on education, training and progressive medicine. He is an active member of the CVMA’s PAC (Political Action Committee) and the Certified Veterinary Assistant Committee. He is also a past Vice President and Board Member of the Alameda County Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Moffatt is an Expert Witness for the Veterinary Medical Board providing consultation to the board as part of Disciplinary Investigations. He speaks at numerous AVMA accredited schools around the world, covering various business topics including professional happiness, debt management, veterinary business finance, entrepreneurialism, and veterinary business ownership.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Andrew Moffatt on recognizing burnout, lessons learned while building a business, and helping future colleagues Read More »

Dr. Tony Bartels on sizing up the student loan tax forgiveness exemption

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast / By vinfoundation

Tune in as VIN Foundation Executive Director Jordan Benshea chats with student debt educator Dr. Tony Bartels about the latest student loan tax forgiveness. Taking the “hope for the best and plan for the worst” approach, Dr. Bartels will take you through the details of this confusing situation. Did you know if you were making payments toward your student loans during the Cares Act forbearance time you can get a refund? Listen in to learn this and additional helpful information.
GUEST BIO:
Tony Bartels, DVM, MBATony Bartels graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is 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 as a VIN Foundation board member. 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, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

Personalized Assistance available via the special VIN and VIN Foundation Student Debt Message Board areas:
Email VIN Foundation: [email protected]

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels on sizing up the student loan tax forgiveness exemption Read More »

Dr. Quincy Hawley and Renee Machel discuss the intersection of self-improvement and mental health

Leave a Comment / Inhale/Exhale, Veterinary Career Journeys, Veterinary Diversity Equity Inclusion, Veterinary Diversity Equity Inclusion Podcast, Veterinary Pulse Podcast / By vinfoundation

This episode VIN Foundation Board Member Dr. Matt Holland is having a conversation with Get MotiVETed Co-Founders Dr. Quincy Hawley and Renee Machel. Listen in as they discuss self-improvement, diversity, equity, & inclusion, and mental health.
HOST AND GUEST BIOS:

Dr. Matt Holland
Matt Holland, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois CVM class of 2017. He is a Veterinary & Pre-Vet Student Advocate for the VIN Student Team and his interests are Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, mental wellness, environmental health, student debt, & policy. His interest in policy led him to Washington, D.C. after graduating, where he completed the AVMA/AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Congressional Fellowship in the office of Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship at the USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture. Originally from a suburb of Chicago, IL, he came to veterinary medicine as a second career. After graduating in 2007 from Drake University with a B.A. in radio and television journalism, he worked as a freelance television producer for various media outlets in Chicago and New York City including Big Ten Network, Major League Baseball Network, and the Chicago Bears. During veterinary school, he found a love for giving back to the profession, and one of his proudest achievements is serving as SAVMA President. He is thankful for the opportunity to keep giving back as a VIN Foundation board member and excited for the future of the VIN Foundation.

Dr. Quincy Hawley
Quincy Hawley, DVM is a 2013 graduate of NC State’s CVM. Dr. Hawley has 6 years of working in small animal general practice. He is the co-founder of Get MotiVETed LLC, a company that provides wellbeing solutions for veterinary professionals and organizations. He is a Certified Professional Coach, self-published self-help and fitness author. Dr. Hawley has experience coaching a variety of veterinary professionals including but not limited to veterinarians, practice managers, and various veterinary hospital support staff. Dr. Hawley is also the president of the NC Association of Minority Veterinarians, a 501-3c non-profit organization with a purpose of improving diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency for the profession. Dr. Hawley volunteers his time as a member of NC State’s CVM admissions committee, and is currently serving his 3rd term doing so. He lives in NC with his wife, 2 daughters, along with their 8 dogs, 1 calico cat and a handful of chickens!

Renee Machel
Renee Machel is a nationally recognized wellbeing speaker, certified life coach, CYT 200 yoga instructor, mindfulness, and meditation guide. As the co-founder of Get MotiVETed she aims to provide a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and enhance the culture within organizations. She has spent nearly 20 years in the veterinary industry as a hospital leader and technician. She now shares her personal story of overcoming wellbeing struggles and key teachings in managing personal and professional wellbeing and development. Additionally, she lives in NC with her blended family, welcoming their newest addition into the world this spring, and of course, her fur-kids Eli & Penelope. As a family, they spend much of their time racing motocross when she and her fiance are not wearing their ‘entrepreneur hats’.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Quincy Hawley and Renee Machel discuss the intersection of self-improvement and mental health Read More »

Dr. Tony Bartels on the Latest COVID-19 Student Loan Relief News

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast / By vinfoundation

Tune in as we chat with student debt expert Dr. Tony Bartels about the latest updates to the COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Relief announced this week.
Since March 13, 2020, borrowers with federally held student loans have received student loan repayment relief. Interest rates have been set to zero percent, payments have been suspended, and for those using income-driven repayment or working towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the suspension time has counted towards qualifying forgiveness payments.

The entire student loan collection system was never intended to be turned off and on all at once, like a switch, so what can we expect as we head into a full year of this relief? Listen in to learn more.

In this episode we mention the following links and information:

Email VIN Foundation: [email protected]

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels on the Latest COVID-19 Student Loan Relief News Read More »

Dr. Lance Roasa and Dr. Tony Bartels on COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Restart for Veterinary Students

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast / By vinfoundation

Tune in as we have a conversation with student debt expert Dr. Lance Roasa and Dr. Tony Bartels about the COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Relief Ending and strategies for re-entering repayment specifically veterinary students.
Normally, interest accrues on your veterinary school Direct Loans from the day you receive them. The interest suspension you received during 2020 has been an extremely beneficial form of financial relief. This will likely save you tens of thousands of dollars during repayment.

Unfortunately, the student loan interest suspension period will end and interest will begin to accrue on your loans at some point after January 31, 2021. For the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, the loans you received from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, will accrue interest at a rate of 4.3% for Direct Unsubsidized and 5.3% for Direct Grad PLUS loans.

Listen in to learn best practices to help you renter student loan repayment as a veterinary student.

SPEAKER BIOS:
Dr. Lance Roasa
Dr. Lance Roasa is a 2008 graduate of Texas A&M where he was the first student to undertake a 4th-year business-track, spending the majority of his clinical training in veterinary business and industry. In 2016 He completed a law degree from the University of Nebraska and his training was centered on the law of small business, taxation, and the law of veterinary medicine. Dr. Roasa exclusively serves veterinarians from his law practice, teaches veterinary law and business at 14 veterinary schools, and co-founded drip.vet.

Dr. Tony Bartels
Tony Bartels graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is 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, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

Dr. Lance Roasa and Dr. Tony Bartels on COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Restart for Veterinary Students Read More »

Dr. Tony Bartels on COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Restart

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast / By vinfoundation

Tune in as we chat with student debt expert Dr. Tony Bartels about the COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Relief Ending and strategies for re-entering repayment
Since March 13, 2020, borrowers with federally held student loans have received student loan repayment relief. Interest rates have been set to zero percent, payments have been suspended, and for those using income-driven repayment or working towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the suspension time has counted towards qualifying forgiveness payments.

The current relief is now set to expire on January 31, 2020. Many receiving student loan repayment relief have been notified by the Department of Education and/or their loan servicers that repayment will be restarting in 2021. The entire student loan collection system was never intended to be turned off and on all at once, like a switch, so what can we expect this February 2021? Listen in to learn more.

In this episode we mention the following links and information:

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Dr. Tony Bartels on COVID-19 Student Loan Repayment Restart Read More »

The Financials of Applying to Veterinary School with Amber McElhinney

Leave a Comment / Veterinary Pulse Podcast, Veterinary Student Debt Podcast, Veterinary Student Stories / By vinfoundation

Tune in as veterinary student Amber McElhinney reads her “Veterinary School Financials – What I Wish I Had Known” blog post.
Helpful for all pre-veterinary students, Amber takes you step-by-step through her financial expenses while applying to veterinary school. From application fees to moving costs, this podcast episode provides tangible information to help with the pre-veterinary school process.

In this episode we mention the following links and information:

You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

The Financials of Applying to Veterinary School with Amber McElhinney Read More »