Student loan repayment plans

You'll need

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

Do it like this

1. Find your servicer. Log in to StudentAid.gov to see your loans and who services them (Federal Student Aid).
2. 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 (Federal Student Aid).
3. 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 (Federal Student Aid).
4. Income-driven plans base your payment on your income and family size. For newer loans, that's the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). The lower your income, the less you pay each month (Federal Student Aid).
5. On an income-driven plan, recertify every year, even if nothing changed. If you agree to share your tax information, it can happen automatically (Federal Student Aid).

If it doesn't work

• Payment too high? Ask your servicer about an income-driven plan. Their help is free (Federal Student Aid).
• Someone promises instant forgiveness for a fee? No one can promise immediate, total forgiveness, and you never have to pay for help (Federal Student Aid).
• Rules are still changing. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ends some older plans in the future, so check StudentAid.gov before you decide (Federal Student Aid).

Good to know