Student Loan Experts 2025

🏅 Top 1% in Loan Originator in 🇺🇸 🗞️ Ft: Forbes | CBS | CNN | Consumer Affairs 📢 Genuine Guidance. Total Peace of Mind. 🚫 No confusion. No gimmicks. No hidden fees. 📍WA|TX|FL|TN|AL|OH 📈 NMLS:2357325

I'm a mathematics education professor at UNC Pembroke and the founder of Debt Clarity Tools (debtclaritytools.com) — a platform I built to help everyday people understand and eliminate debt using real math, not motivation. My background is in STEM-Mathematics Education. I earned my PhD from NC State University, where my research focused on how people learn complex quantitative reasoning. I've spent years teaching math at the university level, and I became increasingly frustrated that the personal finance world was filled with hype, vague advice, and emotional appeals — but almost no actual mathematical clarity. So I built something different. Debt Clarity Tools offers free, math-powered calculators that help users see exactly what their debt costs them, when they'll be debt-free, and which payoff strategy saves them the most money. The site also offers digital guides and a comprehensive Debt Freedom Blueprint for people ready to create a real plan. My work sits at the intersection of mathematics education and personal finance literacy. I believe most people aren't bad with money — they just haven't seen the numbers clearly. When they do, behavior changes. Topics I speak and write about: Debt payoff strategies (snowball vs. avalanche — and when each works) The hidden math behind minimum payments Why financial literacy needs to go beyond budgeting How educators and academics can create accessible consumer tools The gap between personal finance content and actual financial math I'm available for expert quotes and media features related to personal finance, financial literacy, mathematics education, and content entrepreneurship.

I work in the personal finance space and have a deep interest in understanding how money, credit, and financial decisions impact everyday people. Over the past 7+ years, I’ve spent a lot of time researching and learning about loans, credit behavior, lending systems, and personal money management. My main focus has been helping people understand topics like loan eligibility, EMI planning, credit scores, and borrowing decisions before they apply for a loan. I enjoy breaking down complex financial concepts into simple insights that are easier for everyday borrowers to understand. Beyond loans, I closely follow trends in personal finance, lending, credit systems, and financial planning, and I’m always interested in learning more about how individuals can make smarter financial choices. My goal is to make financial information clearer so people can better understand their options and avoid costly financial mistakes.

Megan B. Shepherd is an editor with a focus on digital publishing, editorial strategy, SEO and research within financial education. Megan helps breaks down complex topics in a way that empowers readers to make smart financial decisions. As a personal finance editor at Finder, she's committed to helping people navigate the financial world of loans. Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, ValueWalk, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics. Outside of her role as a personal finance loans expert, Megan has a background working as a certified financial adviser and also earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company, enriching her expertise within financial education. Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus.

I'm a seasoned freelance copywriter and content strategist who enjoys writing for large publications as well as startups, small to medium sized businesses, and Fortune 500 companies. You can find my work on a variety of publications and company websites, such as: -Forbes Health/Small Business -Angi -BHG Financial -CNN -Newsweek -LendingTree -U.S. Chamber of Commerce -Credit Karma -Experian -Earnest -Business Insider -Freedom Debt Relief -Nav -Rocket Mortgage -PolicyGenius -American Express -San Francisco Gate -Madison Trust/Broad Financial -OneMain Financial -Point.com -ClearChoice Dental -Roto-Rooter -Realtor.com -Insurify Learn more at https://annabaluchcopywriter.com/ or send an email to annabaluchwriter@gmail.com to discuss your project!

James Smiling is a mathematics lecturer at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a PhD in Mathematics Education from NC State University with nine years of experience teaching statistics and quantitative reasoning at the university level. He is the founder of Debt Clarity Tools (debtclaritytools.com), a free financial education platform that helps everyday Americans understand the real math behind their debt. The site offers free calculators and guides covering credit card payoff, debt snowball and avalanche strategies, debt consolidation, and student loans — all built on the principle that most people don't need motivation, they need clear numbers. His background in statistics and quantitative reasoning shapes everything he builds: tools that show borrowers the exact cost of their debt, the fastest path to payoff, and which strategies actually save the most money. James contributes expert commentary on debt payoff strategy, credit card management, student loans, and the math behind everyday financial decisions.

**Named one of Empower's "Top 50 Women in Personal Finance" in 2018**I'm a nationally recognized personal finance expert, keynote speaker, top 0.1% podcaster, and award-winning author of multiple books. My latest title, "Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers" (Entrepreneur Press 2020), was an Amazon #1 New Release.I create multimedia content and have written and hosted the weekly, top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, with more than 44 million downloads. The show inspired my first book, "Money Girl's Smart Moves to Grow Rich" (Macmillan's St. Martin's Press), which won the 2011 EIFLE (Excellence in Financial Literacy Education) award.For over a decade, I've been a consumer advocate and spokesperson, communicating with audiences in relatable ways. I collaborate with diverse organizations, producers, advertising firms, and PR teams to expand audiences and achieve business goals through strategic multimedia campaigns.I partner with top brands as an expert spokesperson and speaker to amplify messages through satellite media tours (SMTs), live and online events, influencer campaigns, and content marketing. I have broad experience in public relations, marketing strategy, and creating attention-grabbing media communications. As a sought-after media source, I’ve completed more than 2,500 interviews with top national outlets, including ABC World News, CBS, FOX, NBC News, NBC The Today Show, PBS Nightly Business Report, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Radio, NPR, and many regional shows.In print and online, my advice has been featured thousands of times in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Kiplinger's, Money, Business Insider, Consumer Reports, MSN, CNBC, Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur, Real Simple, Huffington Post and many more. Please download my Services Sheet here: https://lauradadams.com/work-with-laura-adamsSpecialties: Personal finance speaker, money speaker, small business speaker, public speaking, personal finance expert, small business expert, money expert, cryptocurrency, video, voiceover, national broadcast, media, spokesperson, money spokesperson, personal finance spokesperson, public relations, satellite media tour, SMT, retirement, debt, credit, insurance, banking, saving, podcasting.

Founder of BreakFreeFromDebtNow.com, a personal finance blog helping Americans break free from debt. I cover debt management, credit card strategy, budgeting, and building long-term financial freedom.

Paul Gillooly is a financial specialist and the Director of Dot Dot Loans, with over ten years of experience in subprime lending. With extensive knowledge of consumer finance in the UK, Paul is a reliable individual in the bad credit lending sector. At DotDotLoans.co.uk, he helps individuals with poor credit scores find appropriate lenders who can provide financial help. Paul also offers guidance on improving financial management and building better credit scores.

Aaron Polk is a leading voice in the housing and mortgage industry, bringing over a decade of experience across banking, economics, and lending. As the Founder of AsertaLoans, a low-rate mortgage company serving Texas and Florida, Aaron has made it his mission to simplify home financing and bring transparency to one of life’s biggest financial decisions. Before launching AsertaLoans, Aaron built a successful career at Bank of America, rising to Vice President of Commercial Banking for the Los Angeles region. His expertise spans banking, real estate, and economic forecasting. Aaron holds an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University and dual degrees in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Oregon. His unique blend of macroeconomic insight and boots-on-the-ground lending experience makes him a trusted resource for journalists seeking clear, actionable commentary on the U.S. housing market, interest rate trends, and consumer finance. Aaron regularly shares market updates with his audience of homebuyers, real estate professionals, and financial experts. He’s available for expert commentary, media interviews, and contributions to stories focused on real estate trends, mortgage insights, and broader economic shifts.

I'm a specialist commercial finance broker with 16 years of experience helping Australian business owners access commercial property finance. As founder of Smart Business Plans, I've overseen $550 million in commercial finance across more than 3,300 clients, with a 92% approval rate working across a panel of 60+ specialist lenders. My expertise sits at the intersection of commercial property, business finance, and wealth strategy — particularly for small to medium business owners looking to buy their own premises, invest through their SMSF, or fund development projects. I work exclusively in the commercial space, which means I specialise where the major banks often can't or won't go. I'm also the author of The Premise Effect (2026), which makes the case for why Australian business owners are leaving millions on the table by renting rather than owning their business premises. I'm available to comment on: commercial property finance, SMSF borrowing, business lending, commercial mortgage rates, Australian property market trends, and small business wealth building.

Attorney Matthew Weidner has been a passionate consumer warrior for nearly 3 decades. He's been featured in press around the world on a wide range of consumer/legal related topics. He's been profiled in New York Times Best Selling Books, and has been regularly quoted in Wall Street Journal, New York Times and the like. He has an active social media presence and has one of the most popular legal YouTube Channels with nearly 500,000 viewer counts. He operates a professional grade studio and is available for immediate appearances.

Find a way to win or find excuses for losing.

I help individuals and families across Alberta secure the right car loan—fast, simple, and stress-free. At Car Loan Alberta, my focus is on making auto financing accessible to everyone, regardless of their credit history. Whether you're dealing with bad credit, no credit, or looking for the best interest rates, I work closely with you to find a solution that fits your needs and budget. ✔ Fast approvals ✔ Flexible financing options ✔ Support for all credit types ✔ Trusted lender network across Alberta My goal is simple: Get you behind the wheel with confidence. If you're planning to buy your next car or need expert guidance on auto financing, let’s connect.

Ishan Jetley is the lead SBA loan broker at GoSBA Loans. GoSBA Loans is one of the highest volume SBA loan brokers in the country. We focus specifically on business acquisitions and change of ownership SBA loans. We are partnered up with 30+ SBA lenders and close 8-10 transactions a month. We are a 100% free service to you. We are paid by the lender post close. We do a full lender outreach and talk to 10+ lenders for each deal. This allows us to consistently deliver the best rates and terms available for each deal. Our borrowers save 0.5 – 2% on their interest rate working with us. When lenders compete, you win! We are the prefect choice for acquisition entrepreneurs seeking $500K-$7.5M+ SBA loans who want maximum leverage, competitive rates, and expert guidance. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to reach out for an introductory call here: https://cal.com/ishan-jetley-3d73m8/30min

Rumz is a partner at Dreamy Leads Research, a free U.S. consumer-finance research desk covering insurance, mortgage, debt relief, and solar. He works hands-on with the company's primary-sourced 2026 cost-and-rate data — compiled from NAIC, CFPB, FHFA, NREL, IRS, and U.S. Census figures — to show how households actually experience prices, state by state and city by city, across 1,150+ published pages spanning 56 US cities. The desk's original studies are cited roughly 4,200 times a month in Microsoft Copilot's AI answers, and every claim traces to a named public source. He offers data-grounded commentary on auto and home insurance costs, mortgage affordability, household debt and settlement outcomes, and residential solar economics — answer-first, quotable, and on deadline, always pointing reporters to the underlying numbers and their sources.

James is a CPA, IRS Enrolled Agent, and Tax Resolution Specialist at CanvaTax (canvatax.com), where he helps individuals and businesses resolve complex tax issues including IRS debt, back taxes, and penalty relief through programs like the IRS Fresh Start Initiative. With hands-on experience navigating IRS negotiations and tax compliance, James provides practical, results-driven guidance to clients facing financial uncertainty.

Damon Paull, AWMA® - Financial Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Military Veteran As a wealth management advisor and Amazon best-selling author in Money and Business, Damon Paull brings a military precision to financial journalism. His recent collaboration with former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss on "Empathetic Leadership" shows he can take complex financial concepts and turn them into stories that resonate with everyone. With over 8 years of industry experience and a background as a Marine Corps veteran and State Department contractor, Damon writes about: • Intergenerational wealth transfer • Corporate benefit plan optimization • Investment portfolio construction • Business succession planning • Veteran financial empowerment • Global market analysis through a geopolitical lens As a Wealth Management Advisor at Cetera Investors, Damon’s expertise goes beyond traditional financial planning. He uses cutting-edge financial technology and analysis tools to bring you fresh perspectives on emerging trends and investment opportunities. His writing style is data-driven with a storyline, making complex financial concepts accessible to sophisticated investors and general audiences. Regular contributor to discussions on wealth preservation, market dynamics and financial technology. Damon welcomes opportunities to provide professional commentary and in-depth analysis for financial publications looking for expert opinions on wealth management and investment strategies. For editorial inquiries or commentary: Damon Paull, AWMA Damon.Paull@ceterainvestors.com 804.270.2765 Glen Allen, VA Available for national and international commentary Cetera Investors is a marketing name of Cetera Investment Services. Securities and Insurance Products offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. 140 EASTSHORE DR. SUITE 105, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23059. 804-346-4670. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, not recommendations of Cetera Investment Services LLC or its representatives. www.EagleVisionWealthManagement.com www.EagleVisionAccounting.com

Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA, is Managing Director of Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C. and one of the country’s most-cited authorities on how federal prison sentences are actually served — where a defendant is designated, what the Bureau of Prisons controls, and how much time a person really does. He’s the go-to source when a high-profile defendant is sentenced and the question becomes where they go and what happens there. TIME turned to him on Elizabeth Holmes, CNN on Sean “Diddy” Combs and FCI Fort Dix, and Inc. on Sam Bankman-Fried. Zoukis knows the system from the inside. He served a federal sentence, writing College for Convicts (McFarland, 2014), Prison Education Guide, and the Federal Prison Handbook (2017) while incarcerated, and earned a 2012 PEN America Prison Writing Award. He later authored the Directory of Federal Prisons (2020) and earned his J.D. from UC Davis School of Law, where he was Articles Editor of the UC Davis Law Review. He holds an M.B.A. from Adams State University. His focus: BOP designation under 18 U.S.C. § 3621(b), sentence computation, First Step Act earned time credits and PATTERN scoring, RDAP, prison discipline and conditions of confinement, compassionate release, halfway house and home confinement placement, and reentry. He has advised hundreds of clients and families through federal incarceration. He is Chairman of the Board of the Human Rights Defense Center, publisher of Prison Legal News and Criminal Legal News, and author of the forthcoming Federal Criminal Defendant’s Handbook and the third edition of The Habeas Citebook: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel. Zoukis is not an attorney; all legal work is handled by lead counsel Elizabeth Franklin-Best, ranked in Chambers USA 2026 for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, named a 2026 Best Lawyer in America for Appellate Practice, and admitted before the U.S. Supreme Court and all U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals. The firm assists with federal sentencing, direct appeals, habeas corpus petitions, and compassionate release. Quoted by TIME, CNN, Inc., Fox News, ABC News, the Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Bloomberg Law, The Hill, UPI, and Vice News. Contributor to the Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Prison Legal News, and Criminal Legal News. Contact: Chris@ZoukisDefense.com · (843) 620-1100 · https://federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com/about-us/our-team/christopher-zoukis/