New, for loans made on or after July 1, 2026

Tiered Standard

A fixed payment whose term depends on your balance: 10, 15, 20 or 25 years.

See where it ranks for you, free Two minutes, your own numbers, every plan side by side.

Payment: A level payment over 10 years for balances under $25,000, 15 years to $50,000, 20 years to $100,000, 25 years above that.
Who qualifies: Loans made on or after July 1, 2026, and borrowers who consolidate on or after that date.
Forgiveness: None.
Interest: All interest is paid over the term.
PSLF: Not treated as a qualifying plan in this ranking; confirm with the PSLF Help Tool before relying on it.
Taxes: Nothing is forgiven, so nothing is taxed.
How to apply: Request it from your servicer. Borrowers with post-2026 loans who choose nothing are placed on it.
Leaving it: RAP is the alternative for these loans.
Dates: Since July 1, 2026.

Good for

A predictable payment on a newer loan

Watch out

Longer terms mean more interest
No forgiveness

Hands holding a printed repayment plan over a desk with a pen and a phone

Where Tiered Standard lands for you depends on your numbers.

Right Repay runs every plan on your income, household, balance and loan dates, ranks them on all-in cost, and shows the math. Positions 2 onward are free; the kit to switch is $29.

Rank my plans, free

Sources

Public Law 119-21, the 2025 reconciliation act (student loan title) Congress.gov
Next steps for borrowers enrolled in the SAVE Plan (press release) U.S. Department of Education
Repayment plans Federal Student Aid

Which plan is right for you depends on your income, your balance and your loans' dates.