Enter your balance, rate and income to see your monthly payment, what extra payments would save, your payment on the new tiered standard plan, and estimated income-driven payments under RAP and IBR. The rate defaults to the 2026–27 federal undergraduate rate of 6.52%.
| Total interest | -- |
| Total paid | -- |
| Payoff time with extra payments | -- |
| Extra payments save | -- |
| New standard plan (loans from July 2026) | -- |
| RAP estimate | -- |
| IBR estimate (loans before July 2026) | -- |
Default rate is the 2026–27 federal undergraduate rate. RAP charges 1%–10% of adjusted gross income, minus $50 a month per dependent ($10 minimum). IBR shown for borrowers whose first loan was on or after July 1, 2014: 10% of income above 150% of the 2026 poverty guideline for your household, capped at the 10-year standard payment. Estimates only; the Loan Simulator at studentaid.gov uses your actual loans.
How the Calculator Works
- Monthly payment: a fixed payment that pays off the balance over your chosen term.
- Extra payments: added every month until the loan is paid off. Federal and most private loans allow extra payments with no penalty.
- New standard plan: for loans made on or after July 1, 2026, the term is set by your balance: under $25,000, 10 years; $25,000–$49,999, 15 years; $50,000–$99,999, 20 years; $100,000 or more, 25 years.
- RAP: 1% to 10% of adjusted gross income depending on how much you earn, minus $50 a month for each dependent, with a $10 minimum. RAP does not depend on your balance.
- IBR: for borrowers whose first loan was on or after July 1, 2014 and whose loans predate July 2026: 10% of income above 150% of the poverty guideline for your household, capped at the 10-year standard payment.
Standard Repayment at 6.52%
| Loan Balance | 10-Year Payment | Total Interest (10 yr) | Total Paid (10 yr) | New Standard Term | New Standard Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $170 | $5,457 | $20,457 | 10 years | $170 |
| $20,000 | $227 | $7,276 | $27,276 | 10 years | $227 |
| $25,000 | $284 | $9,095 | $34,095 | 15 years | $218 |
| $30,000 | $341 | $10,914 | $40,914 | 15 years | $262 |
| $40,000 | $455 | $14,552 | $54,552 | 15 years | $349 |
| $50,000 | $568 | $18,190 | $68,190 | 20 years | $373 |
| $75,000 | $852 | $27,285 | $102,285 | 20 years | $560 |
| $100,000 | $1,136 | $36,380 | $136,380 | 25 years | $676 |
| $150,000 | $1,705 | $54,570 | $204,570 | 25 years | $1,015 |
| $200,000 | $2,273 | $72,759 | $272,759 | 25 years | $1,353 |
Graduate loans (8.07%) and PLUS loans (9.07%) cost more; change the rate in the calculator to see them.
Impact of Extra Payments
$30,000 at 6.52% on a 10-year plan:
| Extra Payment | Monthly Total | Payoff Time | Total Interest | Interest Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 (standard) | $341 | 10 years | $10,914 | — |
| +$50 | $391 | 8 years, 4 months | $8,921 | $1,992 |
| +$100 | $441 | 7 years, 2 months | $7,555 | $3,359 |
| +$200 | $541 | 5 years, 7 months | $5,796 | $5,118 |
| +$300 | $641 | 4 years, 7 months | $4,711 | $6,203 |
| +$500 | $841 | 3 years, 4 months | $3,439 | $7,475 |
An extra $100 a month saves about $3,400 in interest and nearly 3 years of payments. If you’re on the new standard plan with a 15- or 20-year term, extra payments save even more.
Income-Driven Estimates
| Adjusted gross income | RAP (no dependents) | RAP (2 dependents) | IBR (single) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $50 | $10 | $51 |
| $50,000 | $167 | $67 | $217 |
| $75,000 | $438 | $338 | $426 |
| $100,000 | $750 | $650 | $634 |
IBR amounts are capped at the 10-year standard payment on your balance. IBR for a larger household uses a higher poverty line, so the payment is lower. SAVE has ended; see income-driven repayment plans for which plans you can use.
Paying Off Multiple Loans: Avalanche vs Snowball
Debt Avalanche (Highest Interest First)
| Loan | Balance | Rate | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private loan | $15,000 | 8.5% | Pay first |
| Grad PLUS | $25,000 | 7.0% | Second |
| Undergrad (unsubsidized) | $15,000 | 5.5% | Third |
| Undergrad (subsidized) | $10,000 | 4.5% | Last |
Debt Snowball (Smallest Balance First)
| Loan | Balance | Rate | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergrad (subsidized) | $10,000 | 4.5% | Pay first |
| Undergrad (unsubsidized) | $15,000 | 5.5% | Second |
| Private loan | $15,000 | 8.5% | Third |
| Grad PLUS | $25,000 | 7.0% | Last |
Pay the minimum on every loan and put any extra toward the top of the list. The avalanche saves the most money; the snowball gives faster wins. If you’re pursuing PSLF, don’t prepay federal loans at all: extra payments only reduce what would be forgiven.
Refinancing Student Loans
| Factor | Federal Loans | Refinanced (Private) |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | Fixed, set yearly by formula | Fixed or variable, set by credit |
| Income-driven plans | Yes (RAP, IBR) | No |
| PSLF eligible | Yes | No |
| Forbearance/deferment | Yes | Limited |
| Interest deduction | Up to $2,500/year | Up to $2,500/year |
Refinance private loans whenever you can get a lower rate. Refinance federal loans only if you have stable high income, won’t pursue PSLF and won’t need income-driven payments. See how to refinance student loans.
Student Loan Interest Deduction (2026)
| Filing Status | Max Deduction | Phase-Out Starts | Fully Phased Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $2,500 | $85,000 MAGI | $100,000 |
| Married filing jointly | $2,500 | $175,000 MAGI | $205,000 |
| Tax Bracket | Max Deduction | Annual Tax Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 12% | $2,500 | $300 |
| 22% | $2,500 | $550 |
Phase-out ranges from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. The 24% bracket starts above both phase-out limits, so the deduction is worth at most about $550 in federal tax.
Student Loans vs Other Financial Goals
| Your Loan Rate | Usual Strategy |
|---|---|
| Under 5% | Invest more, pay the minimum on loans |
| 5–7% | Split extra money between investing and the loans |
| Over 7% | Prioritize loan payoff |
| Any rate, with an employer 401(k) match | Always get the full match first |
Key Takeaways
- 10-year standard plan on $30,000 at 6.52% = $341/month and $10,914 total interest
- New loans from July 2026 default to a 10–25 year standard plan based on balance; paying on a 10-year schedule still saves the most interest
- Extra $100/month on $30,000 saves about $3,400 and nearly 3 years
- RAP charges 1%–10% of income: about $167/month at $50,000 with no dependents
- PSLF forgives the remaining balance, tax-free, after 120 qualifying payments at a government or nonprofit job; see how to apply for PSLF
- Don’t refinance federal loans if you’re pursuing PSLF or might need income-driven repayment
- Get your full employer 401(k) match before making extra loan payments
Part of the student loan guide.
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