SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) It's never too early to start working with a financial advisor. There are many stages in your life when you could benefit from the advice of a financial professional, including when you are young and taking out student loans, or in the process of paying them off.

With a record $1.7 trillion in outstanding student loan debt among U.S. students, it’s likely that your own debt is burdensome on your wallet. Here are several ways a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can help:

Understanding your loan terms. Before you take out a loan, a CFP® professional can help you understand its terms -- including whether it’s a fixed rate or variable rate loan and what its repayment terms are -- and can help you make a selection that works best for your budget and anticipated future salary. They can also help you strategize so that you borrow only what you need.

Paying your loan back. It can be tricky to determine a loan repayment strategy that will reduce the overall cost of your loan while allowing you to budget for and manage other expenses. Lean on the wisdom of your CFP® professional. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of consolidating your student loan debt with other consumer debt and may suggest other options based on your unique circumstances, such as refinancing your loan.

Improving your credit. As many young people soon discover, the way you manage your student loans can have a large impact on your credit history, particularly if you default on payments. Your CFP® professional can help you maintain a healthy credit score during the repayment process and beyond so that you don’t adversely impact your future ability to finance big-ticket items, like cars or homes.

Preparing for the future. It’s never too early to create a holistic financial plan that accounts for your retirement and other future financial goals. In fact, small contributions now have the power to grow exponentially in the years ahead and can help you avoid playing catch-up when you’re in your 30s, 40s and 50s. Your CFP® professional can help you draft an overall budget that balances paying down your student debt, meeting today’s day-to-day expenses and preparing for your golden years with tax-advantaged savings strategies.

As a young person, it’s especially important to work with someone you know you can trust. To find a CFP® professional committed to acting in your best interest, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

With a thoughtful borrowing strategy informed by the expertise of a financial advisor, you can earn the college degree you need for the career you want while maintaining healthy finances.

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