Medical Student needs loan advice

Hello everyone,

I wanted to ask for some advice on my financial situation as a first generation medical student who does not have any guidance on how to pay off these loans. I will provide a little bit of context regarding my financial situation and then as the questions. I will give some context I would like to pay off the loans as fast as possible due to interest being highly discouraged in my religion, but feel free to offer advice that is not in-line with that as it might not be feasible to do so.

Interest accruing loans (CAL LOAN):

I have about $101,040.59 in loans that are accruing interest. The principal amount is 89,879. The total interest amount is $11,181.99. The interest seems to be adding up fast and it is freaking me out. This loan is the CAL Loan from the state of Texas higher education board.

Here are the following rates that I have each loan at:

1. $55,000 borrowed at 3.750% and is currently $61,885.36

• Total interest: 6,885.36
• Daily interest: $5.65

1. $17,000 borrowed at 3.750% and is currently $19,128.20

• Total interest: $2,128.20
• Daily interest $1.75

1. $4,629 borrowed at 5.350% and is currently $5,236.26

• Total interest: $607.26
• Daily interest $0.68

1. $13,250 borrowed at 5.850% and is currently $14,811.17

• Total interest: $1,561.17
• Daily interest: $2.12

Non-interest accruing loans:

These are about $40,759. I told these individuals I would match my minimum repayment amount that my state CAL loan gave me once I started residency. I would pay them back as if they are a single entity, so one payment split amongst all of them each month. Ex: If my minimum payment is $150 for my interest loan. I would give each of them $50. This might be subject to change and I pay each of them one by one, so the amount isn't like pennies LOL.

1. $13,000
2. $13,250
3. $14,229

Questions:

1. What general advice does this thread have that I might not be aware of other than PSLF?
2. Should I schedule an appoint with hippocratic financial for student loan advising or any other company? These appointments are anywhere from $200 to $450.
3. Can someone explain the difference between paying back the interest in a big amount and then making payments towards the principal and interest vs just making the minimum and only covering the interest? My understanding is if I do not knock down the interest it will keep on building up each month and it'll be large because the addition is based off of my principal which is not shrinking.