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Student Loan Repayment Calculator

Three Ways to Pay Off Your Student Loans

Compare PSLF, Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), and Standard Repayment side by side. Enter your numbers below.

Your Numbers

$
%
$
AGI Deductions — Reduces Your RAP Payment
$
$
Effective AGI (Year 1)
—
Used to calculate RAP bracket & payment
RAP Payment Rate (based on Effective AGI bracket)
4%
$40,001 – $50,000 bracket
RAP Monthly Payment — Year 1
$167
Grows each year as salary increases (3%/yr assumed)
PSLF & RAP totals assume a 3% annual salary increase — RAP payments grow with your income each year.
Federal Student Loan Simulator
Option 1

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Tax-free forgiveness for nonprofit and government workers

Timeline
10 years
120 payments
Monthly Payment
$745
IDR payment
Total Paid
$89,410
Savings vs. Aggressive
$191,415
less out-of-pocket
Balance Forgiven (tax-free) after 10 years
$287,770
Estimates assume all 120 payments qualify and employment remains continuously eligible. Requires qualifying employer, repayment plan, and loan type.
Pros
  • Fastest forgiveness — 10 years
  • Forgiven balance is tax-free
  • Great for hospital, VA, or academic roles
Cons
  • Must stay in qualifying employment
  • Salaries often lower than private sector
  • Strict certification rules
Determine If Your Employer Qualifies for PSLF
Option 2

Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

Payment % scales with AGI bracket; remaining balance forgiven after 30 years

Timeline
30 years
360 payments
Monthly Payment
$167
RAP payment (Year 1)
Total Paid
—
Savings vs. Standard
—
less out-of-pocket
Balance Forgiven after 30 years
—
Tax treatment depends on federal law at the time forgiveness occurs — subject to change.
Pros
  • Works with any employer
  • Payments scale with your AGI automatically
  • Lower payments at lower income levels
  • Helpful when debt-to-income ratio is high
Cons
  • Long horizon — 30 years
  • Tax treatment at forgiveness depends on law at the time
  • Payments rise as income grows
Option 3

Standard

Fixed amortization — term set by your loan balance. No income adjustments, fastest payoff.

Timeline
—
—
Monthly Payment
—
Fixed · never changes
Total Paid
—
Interest Paid
—
total cost of borrowing
Balance Forgiven
$0
Fully paid off — no reliance on forgiveness programs
Pros
  • Fixed, predictable payment every month
  • No reliance on government programs
  • Lowest total interest of all options
  • Debt-free in — years
Cons
  • Highest monthly payment
  • Payment doesn't adjust if income drops
  • Requires strong cash flow from day one
Term Selected Based on Your Loan Balance
Your repayment term is automatically set based on your total federal student loan balance:
Up to $24,999 10 yrs · 120 payments
$25,000 – $49,999 15 yrs · 180 payments
$50,000 – $99,999 20 yrs · 240 payments
$100,000 or more 25 yrs · 300 payments
↑ Your current balance falls in the highlighted tier above.

Side-by-Side

Strategy Timeline Monthly Payment Total Paid Balance Forgiven
PSLF
 10 yrs $745 $89,410 $287,770 (tax-free)
RAP (30 years)
 30 yrs — — — (taxable)
Standard (—)
 — — — $0
Total Out-of-Pocket Cost Comparison
Total payments made over the life of the loan (not including forgiven balance)
PSLF
$89,410
RAP (30 yrs)
—
Standard (10 yr)
—
Advanced

Employer CARES Act Contribution Calculator

Under the CARES Act (extended through 2025), employers can contribute up to $5,250/year ($437.50/month) tax-free toward an employee's student loans. Enter your employer's annual contribution below to see how it accelerates your Standard Repayment payoff — using the loan details entered above.

$
CARES Act max: $5,250 / yr ($437.50 / mo, tax-free)
Applies on top of your Standard Repayment payment above.
Baseline
Standard — $0 Employer
Your monthly payment —
Employer contributes $0 / mo
Months to payoff 360 mo
Years to payoff 30.0 yrs
Total interest paid $85,825
Total you pay $280,825
With Employer Contribution
Standard + Employer
Your monthly payment $2,340
Employer contributes $0 / mo
Months to payoff 120 mo
Years to payoff 10.0 yrs
Total interest paid $85,825
Total you pay $280,825
Time Saved
0 months
Interest Saved
$0
Your Total Savings
$0
Total Employer Contribution
$0
Advanced

What If I Pay More Each Month?

How much would you need to pay per month to pay off your loan ahead of the Standard Repayment schedule? Each card shows the required monthly payment, the extra amount vs. your standard payment, and how much interest you save — all based on the loan details above.

Your Standard Repayment payment: —/mo
For the Most Current Rules, See Federal Student Aid
Rules change. This calculator reflects our best understanding of current programs — always verify directly with the source before making decisions.
👉 studentaid.gov = the gold standard
👉 Everything else is just commentary
View All Federal Repayment Plans — studentaid.gov
How RAP's Built-In Subsidies Work
The Repayment Assistance Plan (enacted July 4, 2025 — launching July 2026) includes two government subsidies that make it significantly more favorable than older income-driven plans. This calculator reflects both.
🛡️
Interest Subsidy
If your RAP payment is less than the monthly interest accrued, the government waives the unpaid interest — your balance never grows due to unpaid interest. This is a huge deal for borrowers with high debt relative to income.
📉
$50 Minimum Principal Match
Every month you make a full, on-time RAP payment, the government guarantees your principal balance drops by at least $50 — even if your payment only partially covered interest. You're always making real progress.
Read the full RAP breakdown — NerdWallet
Estimates only. PSLF estimates assume all 120 payments qualify and employment remains continuously eligible for the full 10-year period — actual eligibility depends on loan type, repayment plan, employer qualification, and payment timing; forgiven balance is tax-free. RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan) payments are based on AGI bracket percentages with a $10/month minimum for borrowers at or below $10,000 AGI, reduced by $50/month per dependent, and include the two government subsidies enacted in P.L. 119-21 (effective July 2026): unpaid monthly interest is waived (balance never grows due to underpayment), and a $50 minimum principal reduction is guaranteed each month a full payment is made. Tax treatment of RAP forgiveness after 30 years depends on federal law at the time forgiveness occurs and is subject to change. Standard Repayment uses fixed amortization on a term set by your loan balance — no income adjustments. PSLF and RAP totals assume a 3% annual salary increase, causing payments to grow each year; Standard Repayment payments are fixed. This tool does not account for refinancing, loan consolidation, or tax liability on forgiven amounts. Always consult a certified student loan advisor or financial planner for personalized guidance.

Reference: studentaid.gov — Federal Repayment Plans  ·  Forbes — Two New Tiered Repayment Plans (May 2026)