RAP vs IBR vs Standard — which plan costs least?
The 2026 rules, side by side: the new Repayment Assistance Plan, income-based repayment, and the standard 10-year plan. Monthly payment, total paid, and what gets forgiven.
Your plans compared
How the three plans work (2026 rules)
Three plans, three different deals. The standard plan is fixed: the same payment for 10 years, then the loan is gone. RAP and IBR bend the payment to your income — lower now, longer later, and whatever is left at the end is forgiven.
RAP charges a percentage of your total AGI: $10 a month if you earn $10,000 or less, then 1% of AGI for $10,001–$20,000, rising one point per $10,000 to 10% above $100,000 — minus $50 a month per dependent, never below $10. Pay on time and the government waives unpaid interest and matches up to $50 a month toward principal. Forgiveness comes after 30 years.
IBR charges 10% of discretionary income (15% if your first loan was before July 1, 2014), where discretionary income is your AGI minus 150% of the poverty guideline — $15,960 for one person in 2026, plus $5,680 per extra person. Forgiveness comes after 20 years (25 for older borrowers). IBR is closed to loans taken out on or after July 1, 2026.
The totals in this calculator assume your income never changes. In reality your payment is recertified every year, so treat the total paid and forgiven amounts as a comparison under one fixed income — not a promise. The monthly payment, though, is exact for the income you entered.
Frequently asked questions
What is RAP?
RAP is the new income-driven plan that started July 1, 2026. Your payment is 1% to 10% of your total adjusted gross income — $10 a month if your AGI is $10,000 or less, rising one percentage point per $10,000 of income, capped at 10% above $100,000 — minus $50 a month per dependent, never below $10. Unpaid interest is waived if you pay on time, and any balance left after 30 years (360 payments) is forgiven.
What is IBR?
IBR is the older income-driven plan. Your payment is 10% of discretionary income (15% if your first loan was before July 1, 2014), where discretionary income is your AGI minus 150% of the federal poverty guideline for your household size. Forgiveness comes after 20 years (25 for older borrowers). IBR is closed to loans taken out on or after July 1, 2026.
Can I still enroll in SAVE?
No. SAVE was struck down in court and then terminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If you were on SAVE, your servicer should have told you to pick a new plan. RAP is its replacement.
Which plans can I actually choose?
If you took out your first federal loan on or after July 1, 2026, your only income-driven option is RAP (the other choice is the new Tiered Standard plan). If your loans are older, you can generally choose between RAP and IBR — this calculator shows both when they apply to you.
Is RAP always the best deal?
It is usually the cheapest monthly payment, and the unpaid-interest waiver plus a small principal match keep your balance from growing. But it lasts 30 years, and the total paid can exceed the standard plan if your income rises. Forgiveness after 30 years may also be taxable. The right choice depends on your income path, not just today's payment.
Do the payments change over time?
Yes — IBR payments are recalculated every year from your tax return, and RAP the same. A raise can push you into a higher RAP bracket, which is why the totals here are estimates, not promises.
Where to go next
Total Monthly Burden Calculator
Check what the payment means for your budget — and what is left after the car payment and the card minimums.
Visit →StudentAid.gov (official)
Federal Student Aid — check your actual loans, your servicer, and which plans you can enroll in.
Visit →Extra Payment Calculator
Paying extra only helps on the standard plan. See how much it saves before you send it.
Visit →Free tools from the same family, plus the official federal site. These links open in a new tab; we earn nothing from them.