Emma knows what it’s like to struggle with student loan debt.

After graduating with her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2016, Emma was saddled with student loan debt. She felt overwhelmed and confused by the intricacies of the different repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, but didn’t know who to contact or trust for help and support.

Knowing there had to be a better way, she dedicated her time and efforts to becoming a financial planner, helping others feel less alone as they navigate the complex world of federal student loan debt. Eventually, October Loan Strategies was born!

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Certified Student Loan Professional®, and founder of October Loan Strategies, she creates fully customized student loan plans with concrete, step-by-step instructions to help clients minimize payments and maximize forgiveness.

So far, she has consulted on over $100 million in student loan debt and helped clients receive $10 million in student loan forgiveness, and has won a few awards along the way.

She is also teaching faculty in UW-Madison’s School of Human Ecology’s Personal Finance undergraduate program.

What inspired the name?

Many OLS clients are pursuing loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which was established by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. October 2007 was the first month in which a borrower could begin making PSLF-qualifying payments, and it just so happens to be Emma’s favorite month of the year!