Student Loan FAQ: SAVE, RAP, IBR, PSLF, Parent PLUS and Default

Find your servicer notice, write down the notice date and any listed deadline, then compare RAP, IBR, PAYE, ICR, and Standard repayment before the 90-day window closes. Do not rely on automatic placement if your budget depends on income-driven repayment.

Use the sent date on your servicer notice and count 90 calendar days, unless the notice gives a specific deadline. If your servicer gives an exact date, use the servicer date instead of a calculator estimate.

SAVE used a poverty-line exclusion before calculating discretionary income. RAP uses adjusted gross income tiers, subtracts $50 per dependent from the monthly payment, and has a minimum payment. A borrower who had a $0 SAVE bill can still see a higher RAP estimate.

RAP may be better if its AGI-based payment is lower and you value the unpaid-interest waiver and matching principal benefit. IBR may be better for some borrowers because it uses discretionary income, can exclude spouse income when filing separately, and may have a shorter forgiveness timeline.

Filing separately can reduce payments under some legacy IDR plans when spouse income can be excluded, but it can also raise taxes or reduce tax benefits. Compare both repayment and tax effects before changing filing status.

Parent PLUS rules are separate from ordinary Direct Loan rules. Parent PLUS borrowers should verify whether the loan is a Parent PLUS loan, whether it has been consolidated, and whether ICR, Standard repayment, or a PSLF strategy is the realistic path.

IBR estimates usually start with adjusted gross income from tax information, and capital gains can be part of AGI. If the tax year included unusual income, compare the tax-return estimate with any current-income documentation allowed by the official IDR process.

Use AGI and household size as the starting point for a PAYE estimate, then compare PAYE with IBR, RAP, and the standard payment cap. Dependents can reduce discretionary income through household size, but eligibility and borrower history still matter.

RAP may be part of a PSLF strategy if the borrower has eligible loans, qualifying employment, and payments that meet PSLF rules. PSLF borrowers should verify plan treatment through StudentAid.gov and their servicer before switching.

Do not wait. Review official default resolution options such as rehabilitation and consolidation, then contact the Default Resolution Group or your loan holder. Getting out of default can restore access to repayment options and reduce collection consequences.

Standard repayment can be simpler and may reduce total interest if you can afford the bill. IDR may be safer for cash flow, PSLF, or high debt-to-income situations. The safer choice depends on monthly affordability, forgiveness goals, and loan type.

Use the SAVE deadline calculator if you received a servicer notice. Use the IDR calculator if you need payment estimates. Use the recommendation tool if you are deciding which plans deserve your first comparison.