Program · Federal
DIY payoff: avalanche or snowball
The cheapest option if you qualify. No credit impact beyond the normal utilization effect.
Eligibility
- Income sufficient to cover all minimums plus extra principal
- Willingness to maintain the plan for 2–3 years
- No imminent legal action from creditors
Limits and rules
- Avalanche: pay minimums on everything, throw all extra at highest-rate debt first
- Snowball: pay minimums on everything, throw all extra at smallest balance first
- Either approach is better than paying equal extra across all debts