Federal Loan Repayment Options
The Federal Direct Loan Program offers various student loan repayment plans. You can pick from repayment plans that base your monthly payment on your income or that give you a fixed monthly payment over a set repayment period.
Fixed Payment Repayment Plans:
- Standard Repayment Plan
- Graduated Repayment Plan
- Extended Repayment Plan
- Tiered Standard Plan*
Income-Driven Repayment Plans:
- Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan
- Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Repayment Plan
- Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan
- Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)*
You may utilize the FSA Loan Repayment Calculator to find out which plans you’re eligible for and to see estimates for how much you would pay monthly and overall. Although you may select or be assigned a repayment plan when you first begin repaying your student loan(s), you can change repayment plans at any time. Contact your loan servicer if you would like to discuss repayment plan options or change your plan. Please note that repayment options for private loans will vary by lender.
*The newest repayment plans, the Tiered Standard Plan and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), are available effective July 1, 2026. Any borrower who takes out a new loan or consolidates existing loans on or after July 1, 2026 will be required to repay all their Direct Loans under the Tiered Standard Plan or the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).