The Student Loan Strategy Most Borrowers Miss with Geoffrey Urquhart (Ep. 121)

Student loans are changing fast, and the rules are getting harder to follow. What if the biggest risk is not your balance, but the path you choose to manage it? In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl interview Geoffrey Urquhart, CEO of Sharp Notions and Founder of RefiDesk, about how borrowers can adapt to evolving student loan policies. He explains recent federal changes, new borrowing caps, and how repayment options are shifting toward income-based plans. Geoffrey also shares how to evaluate forgiveness versus refinancing, common mistakes borrowers make, and why planning earlier, even during school, can significantly impact long-term outcomes. Key takeaways: How new federal borrowing caps affect professional and graduate students and shift funding strategies earlier Why choosing between forgiveness and refinancing depends on income stability and long-term planning goals Common borrower mistakes, including wrong repayment plans and poor timing when refinancing loans How residency and early career stages offer critical opportunities to optimize loan strategies How RefiDesk simplifies decision-making by comparing repayment and refinancing options efficiently And more! Connect with Iván Watanabe: Opus Private Client, LLC  [email protected] LinkedIn: Iván Watanabe YouTube: OPUS Private Client, LLC Connect with Evan Wohl: Opus Private Client, LLC  [email protected]  LinkedIn: Evan Wohl YouTube: OPUS Private Client, LLC Connect with Our Guest: LinkedIn: Geoffrey Urquhart Website: Sharp Notions Website: RefiDesk About Our Guest: Geoff Urquhart is the CEO of G Sharp Inc. and the founder of RefiDesk, a platform that helps financial advisors and their clients make smarter decisions regarding student loans. He previously co-founded GradFin, a student loan platform that worked with thousands of borrowers and advisors before being acquired by KeyBank. Geoff has spent over a decade focused on simplifying complex student loan decisions—helping borrowers navigate forgiveness programs, repayment strategies, and refinancing options. His work today centers on making that expertise more accessible through technology so advisors and clients can get clear, actionable answers without needing to become experts themselves.