Income-Driven Repayment Calculator
Calculate estimated monthly payments under IDR, IBR, PAYE, ICR, and RAP plans. Compare how IDR payments are calculated, including PAYE estimates and examples by income.
Calculator assumptions and limits
These tools provide planning estimates only. Your loan servicer and StudentAid.gov determine your final eligibility, payment amount, due date, and forgiveness credit.
Show calculation assumptions
- Legacy IDR estimates use AGI, family size, state, and poverty-guideline allowances where applicable.
- RAP estimates use AGI-based tiers and the dependent reduction described in current public guidance.
- The calculator does not make final eligibility decisions for PAYE, IBR, ICR, RAP, Parent PLUS loans, or PSLF.
- Actual bills can change after income recertification, consolidation, servicer processing, capitalization, or policy updates.
Official sources to verify before acting
- Federal Student Aid repayment plans
Official federal repayment plan overview.
- Federal Student Aid IDR application
Official application path for income-driven repayment.
- U.S. Department of Education RAP fact sheet
Department guidance on the Repayment Assistance Plan.
- Federal Student Aid Loan Simulator
Official payment comparison and repayment planning tool.
Income driven repayment calculator examples
Use these planning examples to understand how income and family size can change an estimated federal student loan payment. Enter your own AGI and household details above for a personalized comparison.
| AGI | Household | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | 1 borrower | IBR/PAYE discretionary-income estimate versus RAP AGI tier |
| $60,000 | Borrower plus 1 dependent | Dependent reduction under RAP and the household-size allowance under legacy IDR |
| $100,000 | Borrower plus 2 dependents | PAYE payment cap, IBR eligibility, PSLF strategy, and total repayment cost |
How to Use This Calculator
Step 1: Enter Your Information
Input your adjusted gross income (AGI), family size, and state of residence.
Step 2: Enter Loan Details
Add your federal student loan balance and interest rate for accurate comparisons.
Step 3: Compare Plans
View monthly payments, total costs, and forgiveness timelines for each plan.
Step 4: Choose Your Plan
Select the plan that fits your budget and long-term financial goals.
Which IDR Plan Should You Choose?
RAP Plan
New 2026 IDR Plan • AGI-Based • 30-Year Forgiveness
Best For:
- • Borrowers comparing 2026 SAVE transition options
- • Borrowers with eligible Direct Loans
- • PSLF borrowers whose RAP payment is lowest
Key Features:
- • 1-10% of AGI based on income tier
- • $50 dependent reduction, $10 minimum
- • Interest subsidy and matching principal benefit after full, on-time payments
PAYE Plan
Payment Cap • 20-Year Forgiveness • Newer Borrowers
Best For:
- • Loans after Oct 2007 AND Oct 2011
- • High-income professionals
- • Graduate students
Key Features:
- • 10% of discretionary income
- • Payment cap protects high earners
- • 20-year forgiveness timeline
IBR Plan
Available to All • Spouse Exclusion • Flexible
Best For:
- • Older loans (before Oct 2007)
- • Married filing separately
- • Those not eligible for PAYE
Key Features:
- • 10-15% of discretionary income
- • Spouse income exclusion
- • 20-25 year forgiveness timeline
ICR Plan
Only Option for Parent PLUS • 25-Year Forgiveness
Best For:
- • Parent PLUS loan borrowers
- • After consolidating Parent PLUS
- • FFEL Consolidation loans
Key Features:
- • 20% of discretionary income
- • Always counts spouse income
- • 25-year forgiveness timeline
Payment Examples
Example: Single Borrower, $50,000 Income, $75,000 Loans
| Plan | Monthly Payment | Estimated Term | Forgiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAP | $167 | 30 years | Varies |
| PAYE | $317 | 20 years | Depends on balance and interest |
| IBR | $317 | 20-25 years | Depends on borrower history |
| ICR | $633 | 25 years | Depends on balance and interest |
How IDR payments are calculated
Legacy IDR plans such as IBR, PAYE, and ICR generally start with adjusted gross income, subtract a poverty-guideline allowance, then apply the plan percentage to the remaining discretionary income. RAP is different because it uses AGI tiers directly and then applies the dependent reduction.
This is why two borrowers with the same loan balance can see very different IDR estimates. Income, household size, tax filing status, loan type, and PSLF goals can matter more than the balance itself when you are choosing an income-driven repayment plan.
Find the right IDR calculator for your query
Broad IDR searches belong here, but a query that names IBR, PAYE, RAP, Parent PLUS, or a servicer deadline usually needs a more focused next step. Use this map when the first estimate is close and you need to verify the plan-specific rules.
PAYE payment estimate
PAYE can be worth checking when you meet borrower-history eligibility rules and want a legacy income-driven plan with a payment cap and a 20-year forgiveness timeline. In this calculator, PAYE is shown beside IBR, ICR, and RAP so you can see whether a PAYE payment estimate is actually lower for your income and household size.
When PAYE deserves a closer look
- - You are eligible based on loan timing and financial hardship rules.
- - You want to compare PAYE against IBR before choosing a legacy IDR plan.
- - You are pursuing PSLF and need the lowest qualifying payment.
How to compare a student loan calculator for income-based repayment
If you searched for a student loan calculator income based payment, start by comparing IBR, PAYE, RAP, and the standard plan side by side. A calculator is most useful when it shows not just the monthly payment, but also whether PSLF, forgiveness timing, or a payment cap changes the answer.
IDR examples by income
Salary-based examples help you sanity-check the calculator before entering your own numbers. A borrower searching for an IDR repayment calculator for an $85k salary should compare IBR, PAYE, ICR, RAP, and Standard repayment because the lowest monthly payment may not be the lowest total-cost strategy.
| Income example | What to compare first | Best next tool |
|---|---|---|
| $50k salary | IBR/PAYE discretionary-income estimates vs RAP AGI tier. | IDR examples by income |
| $85k salary | Payment cap, PSLF fit, and whether Standard repayment is cheaper long-term. | Standard payment calculator |
| $100k salary | Whether income-driven repayment still makes sense without PSLF. | Plan recommendation tool |
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for detailed IDR guidance? Check out our comprehensive guide on IDR plan comparison and learn about repayment strategies for married borrowers. If you searched for a narrower tool, use the Income-Based Repayment calculator, IDR payment estimator, or student loan IDR payment calculator.
What is discretionary income for IDR calculations?
Legacy IDR plans use discretionary income, which subtracts a poverty-guideline allowance from your AGI before applying a payment percentage.
RAP works differently: it uses AGI directly, then subtracts $50 per dependent from the monthly payment, subject to a $10 minimum.
How often do I need to recertify my IDR plan?
You must recertify your income and family size annually with your loan servicer. The deadline is typically one year from your last certification.
If you miss the deadline, your payments will increase to the standard 10-year amount, and unpaid interest may capitalize.
Can I change my income calculation method?
Yes. You can use your most recent tax return, current pay stubs, or alternative documentation of income.
If your income has significantly decreased since your last tax return, using pay stubs or alternative documentation can result in lower monthly payments.
What happens if I get married or have a child?
If you get married or have a child, your family size increases, which increases the poverty guideline deduction and potentially lowers your discretionary income.
You must update this information during your annual recertification. RAP reduces monthly payments by $50 per dependent claimed on your federal tax return.
Do IDR plans forgive loan balances?
Yes. After 20-25 years of qualifying payments (depending on the plan), any remaining loan balance is forgiven.
- • RAP: 30 years
- • PAYE: 20 years
- • IBR: 20-25 years
- • ICR: 25 years
Note that non-PSLF forgiven amounts may be taxable depending on federal and state law.
Should I choose IDR or standard repayment?
Choose IDR if: Your debt-to-income ratio is high (over 1.5x your income), you expect to work in public service, or you need lower monthly payments.
Choose standard repayment if: You can afford higher payments and want to pay off loans faster with less total interest.
Ready to Apply for an IDR Plan?
Apply through StudentAid.gov in about 30 minutes. Have your tax return and income information ready.