Money · Paying for college

Student loan repayment plans

When federal loans come due, you choose a plan: a fixed monthly payment, or one based on your income. If your loan was paid out on or after July 1, 2026, and you don't choose, your servicer puts you on the Tiered Standard Plan, which may mean a higher payment. Newer loans get one income-driven option, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Compare with the free calculator on StudentAid.gov first.

Moderate20 min to doFreeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

Your StudentAid.gov login
Your income information, if you want an income-based plan

Do it like this

Find your servicer. Log in to StudentAid.gov and check "My Aid" to see your loans and who services them. Source: Federal Student Aid²
Use the six-month grace period. Your servicer sends repayment information and your first due date during it. Source: Federal Student Aid² That's your window to pick a plan.
Compare plans with the Repayment Calculator on StudentAid.gov. It shows which plans you're eligible for and estimates what you'd pay monthly and overall. Source: Federal Student Aid¹
Fixed plans base your payment on what you owe, your rate and a set time. The Tiered Standard Plan, for loans paid out on or after July 1, 2026, pays them off in 10 to 25 years depending on how much you borrowed. Source: Federal Student Aid¹
Income-driven plans base your payment on your income and family size. For newer loans, that's RAP: a percentage of your yearly income (usually your adjusted gross income) divided by 12, which can change with dependents or a joint tax return. Source: Federal Student Aid¹ The lower your income, the less you pay each month.
To switch to a fixed plan, contact your servicer. Source: Federal Student Aid¹ To apply for an income-driven plan, letting StudentAid.gov get your tax information from the IRS makes it faster. Source: Federal Student Aid¹
On an income-driven plan, recertify every year, even if nothing changed. If you agree to share your tax information, it happens automatically and you're told when your payment changes. Source: Federal Student Aid¹

Watch out Getting a new loan, including a new consolidation loan, on or after July 1, 2026, ends your eligibility for the older IBR, ICR and PAYE plans. Source: Federal Student Aid¹ Ask your servicer before you borrow again or consolidate.

See it done

Video by Federal Student Aid Government

Repayment Assistance Plan: The Basics in Under 2 Minutes

Watch on YouTube: Repayment Assistance Plan: The Basics in Under 2 Minutes

2026 · Checked October 3, 2026

This covers RAP, the income-driven plan for newer loans. The fixed plans are in the steps.

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Payment too high? Ask your servicer about an income-driven plan, deferment or forbearance. Their help is free. Source: Federal Student Aid²
Balance going up on an income-driven plan? Your payment can sometimes be less than the interest that builds up. This is called negative amortization. Source: Federal Student Aid³ Ask your servicer what happens to the unpaid interest.
Someone promises instant forgiveness for a fee? No one can promise immediate, total forgiveness, and you never have to pay for help. Source: Federal Student Aid⁴
Rules are still changing. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ends the ICR and PAYE plans in the future, so check StudentAid.gov before you decide. Source: Federal Student Aid¹

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

The fixed plans

Standard: paid off within 10 years. Graduated: starts lower and usually rises every two years, still within 10 years. Extended: up to 25 years, but only if you owe more than $30,000. Source: Federal Student Aid¹

Older loans, older options

If all your loans were taken out before July 1, 2026, you can still use IBR (10% or 15% of discretionary income, never more than the 10-year Standard payment), PAYE (10%) or ICR, as long as you don't take a new loan. Source: Federal Student Aid¹

Public service

Public Service Loan Forgiveness forgives the rest of your Direct Loans after the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) under an income-driven plan while working full time for an eligible employer. Source: Federal Student Aid¹

Consolidation tradeoffs

Combining several federal loans into one Direct Consolidation Loan means one payment, and it can open other plans, but there are tradeoffs. Source: Federal Student Aid¹ Remember that a new consolidation loan after July 1, 2026, ends IBR, ICR and PAYE eligibility.

Your FSA ID is a signature

It signs legally binding documents and counts the same as a written signature. Never give your password to anyone, including a company that offers help. Source: Federal Student Aid⁴ Stuck? Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243. Source: Federal Student Aid⁴

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

U.S. Department of Education (Federal Student Aid) Federal student loan repayment plans
U.S. Department of Education (Federal Student Aid) Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans
U.S. Department of Education (Federal Student Aid) Interest rates and fees for federal student loans
U.S. Department of Education (Federal Student Aid) Avoiding student aid scams

Lesson M7.5 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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