Let’s Flip the Script on Student Debt. Together.

It’s time to do something about those student loans.

Physicians:

SCHEDULE A FREE INITIAL 15-MINUTE CALL: If you’re new to Navigate, we’ll take a look at your student loan repayment plan and see if there are ways to save you money. No cost. No obligation. You tell us if you’d like to continue working on your personalized plan. Your personalized plan includes your partner if applicable.

ASK US A QUESTION: What’s on your mind? Send us an email. We’d love to help.

RESIDENCY PROGRAM DIDACTIC SESSION: Directors and Coordinators schedule your Self-Care for Student Loans Didactic Session

SCHEDULE YOUR SELF-CARE for STUDENT LOANS SESSION

We aim to be a trusted guide for our clients, providing the expertise that helps physicians navigate the complex world of student loan repayment. So they can feel prepared and confident. And go back to living life on their terms.

“To be honest, when I first heard about federal student loan forgiveness, I dismissed it as snake oil. Free money from the government sounded too good to be true.

But I discovered that it was indeed real, though incredibly complex. After many hours of research into all the regulations and nuances, I began offering student debt sessions as one of my services as a financial advisor. And every single client who requested a session saved serious money—from $40K to $400K.

By the time I started Navigate, I knew that I wanted to specialize in helping the professionals who shoulder the most student debt: physicians.

Navigate helps physicians take back control of their student loans—and their lives. And we help health systems take better care of their employees. Together, we can flip the script on student debt.

We aim to be a trusted guide for our clients, providing the expertise that helps physicians navigate the complex world of student loan repayment. So they can feel prepared and confident. And go back to living life on their terms.”

– Joy Sorensen Navarre

Joy Sorensen Navarre President of Navigate Student Loans

Joy Sorensen Navarre
President and Founder

Joy Sorensen Navarre is the president and founder of Navigate LLC. A national expert in student loan management, she consults with physicians and health systems across the country.

Joy lives by a powerful core belief: you find your purpose where the world’s greatest need and your greatest joy meet. This is why she built Navigate. She loves doing work that helps everyone—physicians, health systems, and patients.

She’s always flipping the script and spends her free time fishing for panfish with a six-pound test line on an ultra-light pole.

Jon Sorensen

Jon Sorensen
Account Executive

Jon Sorensen is a “Guide” at Navigate. An expert student loan advisor, he leads physicians through our process so they understand all the repayment options and feel confident about their financial futures.

He’s usually calm and thoughtful, but he’s got a competitive streak that comes out on the baseball field. It’s a sport he’s played or coached since he was four years old.

Cara Martner Navigate Student Loans

Cara Martner
Outrider

Cara Martner is our “Outrider” she works in the space ahead of the Navigate team (time-wise) to clear the way and see what is coming next. Cara specializes in the behind the scenes work that keeps Navigate’s systems and processes running smoothly. She’s friendly, she’s fast, and she’s fired up about helping physicians throughout every step of their work with Navigate to deliver an exceptional experience.

Cara is truly multi-talented, both in and out of the office. An accomplished musician, she studied music business and works in the outdoor music festivals.

In Memoriam

Shel Sorensen
Database Administrator

Shel Sorensen is our database administrator. He maintains the security and confidentiality of our client records.
But don’t assume that this techie hides behind his computer—he’s also a popular emcee for high school reunions.

Margaret Stockton Flow Manager

Margaret Stockton
Flow Manager

Margaret Stockton is our “Flow Manager”. She serves as our scheduling specialist and administrative assistant. As the welcoming committee for anyone contacting Navigate for the first time, she is committed to ensuring physicians make the connections they need to receive the assistance Navigate offers. She provides friendly and prompt responses to your requests.

Margaret leads a double life. When she is not assisting you, she offers her services as a professional resume writer helping others reveal their best selves on paper. But, it is not “all work and no play”, she discovered ballroom dancing and happily dedicated the last 7 years dancing 8 – 10 hours a week learning to trip the light fantastic. She especially loves Waltz and Tango, but she has some sassy West Coast Swing moves too!

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Navigate different from financial and tax advisors?
We specialize in student loan repayment. This means that we know all the nuances of repayment programs, consolidation, refinance options, deadlines, and regulations. We don’t offer any other financial or tax services, but we will happily work with your financial professionals or introduce you to one.

Another way we’re different is that we specialize in helping physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare practitioners. We know that you’re overwhelmed by more student debt than any other professionals. We know that your career trajectories and finances are unique. We know that you’re busy and need data-driven, straight answers. In short, we know physicians better than anyone.
How is Navigate different from loan servicers?
We are independent advisors, so we offer unbiased opinions. We show borrowers all their options. We use a custom-built calculator to compare a variety of scenarios—even various job offers—and the results clearly lay out which repayment plan is the best option.

In contrast, loan servicers earn money on your decisions. In one case, we saw a loan servicer add long delays when processing a borrower’s application, which cost him over $10K. In another case, we saw a loan servicer advise a borrower to select a certain repayment plan, even though a different repayment plan would lower her monthly payments significantly.

Navigate will always be on your side. We will help you understand what to expect, advise you on the various options, and help you resolve any issues that arise—including when that means jumping on the phone with you and the loan servicer to resolve an issue.
What is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program is a free, federal program that allows certain federal student loans to be forgiven after 120 on-time, monthly, qualifying payments. These monthly payments are often lower than in other repayment programs. The program was created in 2007 in an effort to promote employment in the nonprofit sector. In order to qualify for PSLF, you must meet three qualifying factors:
- You must make 120 on-time monthly payments on your Direct Loans starting after October 1, 2007.
- You must make all payments through a qualified repayment plan.
- You must work full-time for a nonprofit or public employer while making each payment.
Is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program a good fit for my situation?
Answer three quick questions:
1. Do you have federal student loans?
2. Is your student loan balance higher than your salary?
3. Do you work for a nonprofit hospital or government institution?
If you answered yes to all three questions, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is worth exploring.
How can I see what I owe in student loans?
Visit the National Student Loan Data System to view a list of your federal loans. Have your Federal Student Aid (FSA) PIN ready. If necessary, you can reset your PIN on this website.
Which loans qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program?
Only two types of loans are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: Direct Loans and Direct Consolidation Loans.

Any of the Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL)—including Stafford Loans, Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, and Consolidation Loans—do not qualify. However, borrowers with these older federal loans may consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify for PSLF. (Tip: MyFedLoan.org has a handy quiz to help determine if consolidation is worth exploring.)

But be careful: Consolidating certain loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan may limit PSLF’s impact on your finances. So before consolidating, check with your advisor or loan servicer and explain that you are pursuing PSLF. We’re a phone call away if you need any guidance or support.
Which repayment plans qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program?
The 10-Year Standard Repayment Plan or an income-driven repayment plan qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Income-driven repayment plans include the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan, the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Plan, and the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) Plan.

But be careful: The extended 25-year or 30-year repayment plans do not qualify for PSLF.

Many physicians mistakenly believe that because of their above-average incomes, an income-driven repayment plan will create a high loan payment or disqualify them altogether. But the income-driven formula takes into account loan balance, income, and family size. With PSLF, many physicians find relief in their monthly loan payment and save thousands of dollars on their student loans after 10 years.
What kinds of employment qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program?
To qualify for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, you must be employed by:
- A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization
- A federal, state, or local governmental agency
- A tribal agency
Many hospitals, clinics, and health systems qualify for PSLF. But be careful: Many private, physician-owned groups do not qualify.

(Tip: To determine whether your employer qualifies, enter your employer’s EIN number—which can be found on your W-2 form—into the search bar of the national nonprofit database at Guidestar.org. Or email us, and we can check for you.)