43 million Americans now owe a combined total of more than $1.4 trillion in student loan debt. Many of them find their lives essentially placed on hold while they pay their student loans down. Thanks to some sweeping rule changes by Fannie Mae, that may no longer be the case. Here are some ways in which these rules changes could positively affect new home buyers.

Federally-Reduced Payment Plans

More than five million people with student loans are eligible for federally-reduced payment plans. These plans allow borrowers to pay back much less than originally required. For example, someone with an original student loan payment of $400 might have to pay only $250. read more