US Student Loan Repayment Calculator
Compare US federal student loan repayment plans — Standard 10-year, Graduated, and Income-Driven Repayment (SAVE/REPAYE, IBR, PAYE) — to find the lowest monthly payment or least total interest paid.
Educational estimate. Calculator results are for planning and information only, not financial, tax, medical, legal, or engineering advice. Verify important decisions with official sources or a qualified professional.
US Student Loan Repayment Calculator
IDR, Standard & Graduated Plans
Next steps
Explore US student loan repayment options
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📐 Formula & Method
Standard Plan
Standard amortisation over 120 months (10 years).
IDR Estimate
This simplified estimate uses 2026 HHS poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and D.C. Actual eligibility and plan terms depend on current Department of Education rules.
📋 How to Use
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Enter your total loan balance and interest rate.
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Choose your repayment plan.
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For IDR plans, also enter your income and family size.
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Compare monthly payment and total interest across plans.
Choosing the Right Student Loan Repayment Plan
The Standard 10-year plan minimises total interest but has the highest monthly payment. Income-Driven plans like SAVE cap payments at a percentage of discretionary income and forgive remaining balances after 20–25 years (or 10 years under PSLF for qualifying public service employees).
Income-driven repayment rules can change, so treat IDR results as an estimate and confirm exact payment and forgiveness eligibility at StudentAid.gov or with your loan servicer before making repayment decisions.
🔬 Methodology & Accuracy
Formula: Standard, graduated, and extended repayment use amortization estimates. The IDR estimate uses income above 225% of the 2026 HHS poverty guideline for the 48 contiguous states and D.C.; actual servicer calculations may differ.
Data sources: Federal Student Aid loan repayment guidance: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans; Federal Student Aid loan simulator: https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator/; HHS poverty guidelines: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines; Direct Loan interest rates via Federal Student Aid servicers: https://edfinancial.studentaid.gov/Help-Center/StudentLoans/Interest-Rates-for-Federal-Student-Loans
Last reviewed: June 2026 · General formula used: Standard Plan · Accuracy: Results are precise to two decimal places using IEEE-754 double-precision arithmetic. Intended for educational and planning use only.
For informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the inputs and formulas provided. For financial, tax, medical, or legal decisions, consult a qualified professional. Rates and regulations change — always verify current figures with official sources.