Every federal repayment plan

The rules of each plan, in plain words, with the sources.

What each plan charges, who qualifies, how it ends, and what to watch, checked against the Department's pages, the regulations and the 2025 law. Then let the calculator rank them for you.

Reading the rules is the slow way. Two minutes with your numbers is the fast one.

Rank my plans, free

• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)New, since July 1, 2026The new income-driven plan: a share of your whole income, unpaid interest waived, forgiveness after 30 years.
• Income-Based Repayment (IBR)Open, permanent for loans made before July 202610% or 15% of discretionary income, capped at the Standard payment, forgiveness after 20 or 25 years.
• Standard 10-yearThe default when you choose nothingThe same payment every month for ten years. Where SAVE borrowers land if they choose nothing.
• Graduated 10-yearOpenStarts low, rises every two years, paid off in ten. No PSLF credit.
• Extended 25-yearOpen, for more than $30,000 in Direct LoansA lower fixed payment stretched over 25 years. The most interest of any plan, no PSLF credit.
• Pay As You Earn (PAYE)Closing: ends by July 1, 202810% of discretionary income with a 20-year clock, for borrowers already on it.
• Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)Closing: ends by July 1, 2028The only income-driven plan for consolidated Parent PLUS loans; 20% of discretionary income or a 12-year fixed amount, whichever is less.
• Tiered StandardNew, for loans made on or after July 1, 2026A fixed payment whose term depends on your balance: 10, 15, 20 or 25 years.