Military Law Forum

[Moves like JAGger]

I'm an April board selectee. Sorry for the confusion.

[yurishima]

Oh, no, I'm sorry for the assumption. As you can tell, I'm kind of on edge waiting for word.

Anyway, congratulations.

[jmls1987]

The SLRP makes yearly payments to your loan, for 3 years. Each year (the date of the payment corresponds to your enlistment date), they will pay 1/3. While your loan is in repayment from the government, federal loans qualify for deferment - meaning you submit something to them in writing requesting a deferment of your payments while the loan is in repayment - they have to grant it, and are required by law to do so.

The SLRP does not make monthly payments, or anything like that. Further, it is on you to coordinate for deferment with your loan company. Also, interest continues to accrue while it is in repayment. You can get the SLRP to cover federal loans (at least you used to be able to), but whether they grant you a deferment is up to them.

To clarify slightly, active duty military members with federal student loans qualify for a deferment based on their active duty military status, regardless of whether they qualify for a SLRP program or whether they have chosen to participate in it.

Not necessarily all active duty military members. "[A] period of active duty military service during a war, military operation, or national emergency" http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/de ... orbearance

I'd like to think, during the GWOT, any military service is during a war or military operation. I believe not all lenders see the same, however.

So is there a concrete answer? If selected to Army JAG, would I be able to defer loans or have the 65K SLRP take care of my student loans each year? Current JAGs...how are you handling loans?

[andythefir]

So is there a concrete answer? If selected to Army JAG, would I be able to defer loans or have the 65K SLRP take care of my student loans each year? Current JAGs...how are you handling loans?[/quote]

I don't understand your urgency unless your plan is to move back to the private sector after getting out. It makes way more sense to use IBR/PAYE then either stay in the JAG for 10 years or pivot to the (veteran preference) government sector, then have the whole thing forgiven.

[maxpayne]

So is there a concrete answer? If selected to Army JAG, would I be able to defer loans or have the 65K SLRP take care of my student loans each year? Current JAGs...how are you handling loans?

I don't understand your urgency unless your plan is to move back to the private sector after getting out. It makes way more sense to use IBR/PAYE then either stay in the JAG for 10 years or pivot to the (veteran preference) government sector, then have the whole thing forgiven.[/quote]

Either way - you will only make a base salary of about $45k give or take your first four years. So, your PAYE or IBR payments will be super low. Like $200 to $400 if you have ~$100k debt.

[allAF]

My bad for forgetting that not everyone gets their student loans through the government - if you did (i.e. Direct Loans), you will qualify for a deferment once you are active because of GWOT. I can't speak for private lenders, although I would think that many offer similar benefits to active duty military members simply to remain competitive.

[spleenworship]

I'm goin to talk to the other guy at my school that I know applied USAF. Maybe he's heard back (he's a shoo in IMO). I get the feeling someone ITT is going to get the call, but I can't help but wonder if none of us will. Feeling a little paranoid I guess.

[maxpayne]

I'm goin to talk to the other guy at my school that I know applied USAF. Maybe he's heard back (he's a shoo in IMO). I get the feeling someone ITT is going to get the call, but I can't help but wonder if none of us will. Feeling a little paranoid I guess.

I was wondering the same thing yesterday - that no one was selected on TLS or on airforceots. Haha. But, that is very unlikely.

What makes the guy a "shoe-in"?

[yurishima]

Today's gotta be the day, right? Right?!?!

It's still early yet!

[spleenworship]

I'm goin to talk to the other guy at my school that I know applied USAF. Maybe he's heard back (he's a shoo in IMO). I get the feeling someone ITT is going to get the call, but I can't help but wonder if none of us will. Feeling a little paranoid I guess.

I was wondering the same thing yesterday - that no one was selected on TLS or on airforceots. Haha. But, that is very unlikely.

What makes the guy a "shoe-in"?

I'll PM

[maxpayne]

Today's gotta be the day, right? Right?!?!

It's still early yet!

I am pretty sure everyone has given up guessing. haha. We should know before the end of November though - that's the only thing seems certain.

[emotiondetector]

My hypothesis is for this round, SJAs are not giving calls. Everyone will find out through letters which will be sent on Monday.

I agree that if they do call, then someone on this board made it and will let us know.

[maxpayne]

My hypothesis is for this round, SJAs are not giving calls. Everyone will find out through letters which will be sent on Monday.

I agree that if they do call, then someone on this board made it and will let us know.

I hope that isn't the case. I can see someone getting a letter from the AF JAG and automatically ripping it up because they assume it is a rejection letter. Haha.

I highly doubt they do that though.

[emotiondetector]

I hope that isn't the case. I can see someone getting a letter from the AF JAG and automatically ripping it up because they assume it is a rejection letter.

Everyone knows rejection letters come in small envelopes and acceptance letters come in large envelopes.

[CoolJustice13]

Hey Guys!!! I nominate maxpayne to call TJAG and ask the status of the 1 Oct. board!

[maxpayne]

Hey Guys!!! I nominate maxpayne to call TJAG and ask the status of the 1 Oct. board!

Haha. I asked when results might be released in my email inquiring about the automatic reconsideration for the Dec. board.

This is the answer I received: "We expect results to be released sometime in November."

[emotiondetector]

All they will say is that everyone will know by November 15. That response won't change, regardless if the list drops.

[CoolJustice13]

Hey Guys!!! I nominate maxpayne to call TJAG and ask the status of the 1 Oct. board!

Haha. I asked when results might be released in my email inquiring about the automatic reconsideration for the Dec. board.

This is the answer I received: "We expect results to be released sometime in November."

I called yesterday and the Capt.'s response was "sometime in November..." Her response changed!!!!! It was 15 November.....

[emotiondetector]

I called yesterday and the Capt.'s response was "sometime in November..." Her response changed!!!!! It was 15 November.....

That's hilarious. This whole thing has gotten ridiculous.

[Esquire]

Congrats to the newest member of the JAGs in Germany club. It is awesome. I travel to a different country every month. See who else from your peers gets to do that. And you live pretty well. I'm not a huge spender but at the end of every month, I have about $4000 of absolutely discretionary income.

[ganja]

Any JAGs out there facing over $150k in debt? I'd like to know how you guys are handling it. I'm sure IBR and the ten year forgiveness program are probably making it easier on you but how much of a burden is it? I'm looking at $150k+ in debt when finished with law school but I'm trying not to freak out about it. I've never ever taken out any sort of loan over $200 so for me at least, a six figure debt is quite daunting.

[erik_1717]

Any JAGs out there facing over $150k in debt? I'd like to know how you guys are handling it. I'm sure IBR and the ten year forgiveness program are probably making it easier on you but how much of a burden is it? I'm looking at $150k+ in debt when finished with law school but I'm trying not to freak out about it. I've never ever taken out any sort of loan over $200 so for me at least, a six figure debt is quite daunting.

Pay as you earn is another option to IBR that I think is better. I forget the exact details but last year I met with my school's financial aid office and asked about IBR. The counselor told me that the monthly payments are even better under the "pay as you earn" program. Both are good options though if you're looking to do the 10 year program. If I'm able to get a government job, I'll probably look to do one of these programs and work public service for 10 years. It is pretty amazing how broad the 10 year program can stretch as far as employment. The general rule of thumb my counselor told me to follow was that if your debt is greater than your salary, the ten year program will be the better option. I'm sure there is someone out there with more insight but this is the brief understanding I have of some of these programs.


EDIT: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/un ... s-you-earn
This may help understand pay as you earn better.

[ganja]

Any JAGs out there facing over $150k in debt? I'd like to know how you guys are handling it. I'm sure IBR and the ten year forgiveness program are probably making it easier on you but how much of a burden is it? I'm looking at $150k+ in debt when finished with law school but I'm trying not to freak out about it. I've never ever taken out any sort of loan over $200 so for me at least, a six figure debt is quite daunting.

Pay as you earn is another option to IBR that I think is better. I forget the exact details but last year I met with my school's financial aid office and asked about IBR. The counselor told me that the monthly payments are even better under the "pay as you earn" program. Both are good options though if you're looking to do the 10 year program. If I'm able to get a government job, I'll probably look to do one of these programs and work public service for 10 years. It is pretty amazing how broad the 10 year program can stretch as far as employment. The general rule of thumb my counselor told me to follow was that if your debt is greater than your salary, the ten year program will be the better option. I'm sure there is someone out there with more insight but this is the brief understanding I have of some of these programs.


EDIT: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/un ... s-you-earn
This may help understand pay as you earn better.

Thanks for the read! Yea I'm thinking getting a public sector gig might be the way to go at least for the first ten years of my career if I am not offered a good enough salary which probably won't happen given the debt. I'd like to hear how you or any other JAGs are handling massive loan debts

[jmls1987]

So is there a concrete answer? If selected to Army JAG, would I be able to defer loans or have the 65K SLRP take care of my student loans each year? Current JAGs...how are you handling loans?

I don't understand your urgency unless your plan is to move back to the private sector after getting out. It makes way more sense to use IBR/PAYE then either stay in the JAG for 10 years or pivot to the (veteran preference) government sector, then have the whole thing forgiven.

Either way - you will only make a base salary of about $45k give or take your first four years. So, your PAYE or IBR payments will be super low. Like $200 to $400 if you have ~$100k debt.[/quote]

My base salary will be higher because I have several years in service. I am torn right now between a midlaw offer (which pays well) , and JAG (if selected of course) I love the Army and would not consider any other JAG program. However, I know if I go JAG, it will be difficult to get back into corporate law. The pay at law firm is great, but with loans taken out --makes it look less appealing. If I am able to defer loans or not have to worry about making loan payments, I'd rather do JAG.

[ganja]

Well I just figured out that I'm pretty much screwed when it comes to JAG. I had asthma as a kid and I've seen on multiple sites that having this condition is basically a no go when it comes to the branches of service. Well there's no other way to put it but, this sucks!