Reviewed September 2026.
Your available federal menu depends on when loans were disbursed. If you receive any new Direct Loan (including a new Direct Consolidation) on or after July 1, 2026, all of your Direct Loans are generally limited to Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) or Tiered Standard. If you have no post–July 1, 2026 Direct disbursements, you keep a larger legacy menu for now (standard, graduated, extended, and older IDR options such as IBR), and you may also opt into RAP. The SAVE plan ended after a March 2026 court order; borrowers still on SAVE should expect servicer notices to pick a new plan. Private loans follow the promissory note only.
This page is a side-by-side compare so you can match payment shape to cash flow before you lock a plan on StudentAid.gov or your servicer portal (Nelnet, MOHELA, Aidvantage, and others).
Shallow map of paths: Paying off student loans basics. IDR/RAP detail: What is income-driven repayment.
What does each federal plan usually do?
| Plan family | Who usually sees it | Payment shape | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (legacy) | Pre–July 2026 Direct borrowers with no new post–July 2026 Direct loan | Fixed monthly; often 10 years | Highest early payment; lowest total interest if you stay the course |
| Graduated (legacy) | Same legacy group | Starts lower, steps up (often every 2 years) | Easier early cash flow; more interest than standard |
| Extended (legacy) | Legacy group with more than $30,000 in eligible Direct loans (post–July 2006 repayment entrants) | Fixed or graduated stretch up to 25 years | Lower payment; much more interest over time |
| Older IDR (IBR; transitional PAYE/ICR where still open) | Legacy group; SAVE is closed | Discretionary-income formulas; long horizon | Cash-flow relief; recertify; formulas and sunset dates change |
| RAP | Available to eligible Direct borrowers; often the only IDR path after a post–July 2026 Direct loan | 1%–10% of AGI, $10 minimum, dependent reductions; forgiveness after 30 years of qualifying payments | Income-tied bill; longer clock than many older IDR paths; Parent PLUS rules differ |
| Tiered Standard | Required alternative when RAP is unavailable or you want fixed payments on the post–July 2026 menu | Fixed payments over 10–25 years by balance tier | No income adjustment; no RAP-style forgiveness |
Confirm the live menu for your loan dates on StudentAid.gov. Older FFEL or Perkins loans may need Direct Consolidation before some Direct-only paths open. Consolidating on or after July 1, 2026 can move all of your Direct Loans onto the RAP / Tiered Standard menu.
Which three numbers should I compare?
- Monthly payment now (can you pay it for 12 months without missing rent?).
- Projected total interest on the servicer or StudentAid.gov estimator for that plan.
- Time to payoff or forgiveness clock (years of qualifying payments, not vibes).
A $280 IDR bill that keeps you current can beat a $410 standard bill you miss twice. Missed payments climb the delinquency ladder toward default: How to avoid student loan default.
When does each plan usually fit?
- Standard / Tiered Standard: Stable take-home pay, forgiveness unlikely, you want a fixed schedule your menu still offers.
- Graduated (legacy menu only): Income will rise soon (residency ends, first promotion), but you still want a defined end date.
- Extended (legacy menu only): More than $30,000 in eligible Direct loans and you need a lower payment without an income formula.
- IDR / RAP: Income is low, irregular, or you are aiming at a documented forgiveness path. Recertify on time or the payment can jump: Budgeting for irregular income.
Worked compare sketch
Sam has $28,000 in Direct unsubsidized loans at about 6%, all disbursed before July 1, 2026, and takes no new Direct loan. Illustrative (not a quote):
| Plan | Monthly (approx.) | What Sam watches |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 10-year | ~$310 | Fits if rent and groceries leave room |
| Graduated | ~$180 early, rising later | Good if year-1 income is thin |
| Extended | Not available at $28,000 (needs more than $30,000) | Raise balance eligibility or use another plan |
| Older IDR / RAP | Could be under $100 while income is low | Must recertify; track qualifying months |
If Sam later consolidates or borrows a new Direct loan on or after July 1, 2026, the menu shrinks to RAP or Tiered Standard for all Direct loans. Sam also maps the payment into a written budget: How much should I budget for student loan payments.
What checklist should I run before switching plans?
- Screenshot your current plan name, balance, and rate on StudentAid.gov.
- Run the official repayment estimator; save the PDF or screenshot.
- Ask whether switching resets any forgiveness-month count you care about.
- Calendar the next IDR recertification date if you choose IDR.
- Ignore paid “we pick your best plan” cold callers: Fake forgiveness scams.
Private refinance is a different product and ends federal plan options: When should I refinance private student loans.
Borrowing choice that shapes later plans: Federal student aid vs private loans.
Educational only. Not student-loan counseling or legal advice. Federal plan names and formulas change; verify on StudentAid.gov and with your servicer.