Student Loan Payoff Calculator
Compare repayment plans and find the best option for your student loans
Plan Comparison
| Plan | Monthly Payment | Total Paid | Total Interest | Payoff Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (10yr) | — | — | — | — |
| Extended (25yr) | — | — | — | — |
| SAVE/IDR | — | — | — | — |
| Graduated | — | — | — | — |
Guide
How it works
Standard Plan: Fixed payments over 10 years — lowest total interest but highest monthly payment.
Extended Plan: Lower monthly payments spread over 25 years — significantly more interest paid over time.
SAVE/IDR Plan: Payments based on 10% of discretionary income (income above 150% of the federal poverty line for your family size). Remaining balance forgiven after 20–25 years. PSLF borrowers can get forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments.
Graduated Plan: Payments start lower and increase roughly 2% every two years, designed for borrowers expecting income growth.
What is SAVE and how is it different from IBR?expand_more
SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) is the newest IDR plan. It calculates payments on 10% of discretionary income defined as income above 225% of the poverty line for undergrad loans (we use 150% for the standard SAVE formula). It replaced REPAYE and generally has lower payments than older IDR plans.
What is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?expand_more
PSLF forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) while working full-time for a qualifying government or non-profit employer. You must be on an IDR plan.
Can I switch repayment plans?expand_more
Yes — federal student loan borrowers can switch between repayment plans at any time by contacting their servicer or via studentaid.gov.
Does refinancing affect IDR eligibility?expand_more
Yes — refinancing federal loans with a private lender removes eligibility for IDR plans, PSLF, and federal protections. Consider this carefully before refinancing.
Next steps