PAYE estimate

PAYE Payment Calculator

Estimate a Pay As You Earn student loan payment, then compare PAYE with IBR, RAP, ICR, Standard repayment, and PSLF strategy.

$

PAYE calculator assumptions

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
  • The calculator provides a planning estimate and does not confirm PAYE eligibility.
  • PAYE eligibility can depend on borrower history, loan timing, income documentation, and official plan rules.
  • Compare PAYE with IBR, RAP, ICR, Standard repayment, and PSLF before relying on a single estimate.

Official sources to verify before acting

When a PAYE estimate is useful

PAYE is worth estimating when you may qualify for Pay As You Earn and want to compare a legacy income-driven plan against IBR or RAP. It can be especially relevant for borrowers checking payment caps, PSLF, or higher-income scenarios where the standard payment matters.

Compare PAYE vs IBRCompare PAYE vs RAPCheck PAYE for PSLF
Open the IDR payment estimatorCheck your deadline first

Estimating PAYE with AGI and dependents

If your question starts with a specific AGI, such as $108,000, and a specific number of dependents, run PAYE as one scenario rather than the final answer. Household size can lower discretionary income, but PAYE eligibility, the standard repayment cap, spouse income, and PSLF goals can still change which plan is best.

Run AGI scenariosCompare IBRCheck standard cap
Parent PLUS RAP eligibilitySee IBR vs RAP next

PAYE vs IBR vs RAP

PlanWhy compare it?Best next check
PAYEMay offer a useful payment cap and 20-year forgiveness timeline for eligible borrowers.Confirm borrower-history eligibility.
IBROften the fallback legacy IDR plan when PAYE eligibility is uncertain.IBR calculator
RAPUses AGI tiers and dependent reductions instead of the PAYE discretionary-income formula.IBR vs RAP guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a PAYE payment calculator estimate?

A PAYE payment calculator estimates a possible Pay As You Earn monthly payment using income and household size. The final amount depends on official eligibility, income documentation, loan history, and servicer processing.

Should I compare PAYE with IBR?

Yes. PAYE and IBR can look similar in simple examples, but eligibility, payment caps, borrower history, spouse-income treatment, and forgiveness timelines can change which plan is better.

Can PAYE help PSLF borrowers?

PAYE can be worth checking for PSLF if the borrower is eligible and PAYE creates a lower qualifying payment than IBR, RAP, ICR, or Standard repayment.

How do AGI and dependents affect a PAYE estimate?

PAYE planning estimates usually start with adjusted gross income, household size, and the poverty-guideline allowance. Dependents can matter through household size, so a borrower with a higher AGI and several dependents should compare PAYE, IBR, RAP, and the standard payment cap.

Official sources for PAYE estimates