Student Loans – Repayment Options

It may be a good time to review student loan repayment options. It’s free and may end up saving you money. To change your repayment option you can speak to your loan officer. 

Below are the different plans offered by Federal Student Aid.

Standard Repayment Plan

  • Everyone is eligible. 
  • Your payments are fixed so the debt is paid within 10 years or 10-30 years for consolidation loans.
  • If you are thinking of seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF,) this is not a good plan and the standard payment plan for Consolidation Loans does not qualify.
    • Eligible Loans
      • Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
      • Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
      • All PLUS loans
      • All Consolidation Loans (Direct or Federal Family Education Loan  (FFEL)

Graduated  Repayment Plan

  • Everyone is eligible. 
  • Your payments are lower at the beginning, then, about every two years, the payments increase, so the loan is paid within 10 years or 10-30 years for consolidation loans. 
  • You’ll pay more than the 10-year Standard Plan.
  • Usually does not qualify for  PSLF.
    • Eligible Loans
      • Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
      • Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
      • All PLUS loans
      • All Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL)

Extended Repayment Plan

  • Direct Loan borrowers with $30,000 or more in outstanding Direct Loans are eligible. 
  • Your payments will be fixed or graduated, so the loan is paid within 25 years.
  • Your payments will be lowered than the fixed or graduated plan. 
  • You’ll pay more than the 10-year Standard Plan.
  • Does not qualify for PSLF.
    • Eligible Loans
      • Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
      • Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
      • All PLUS loans
      • All Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL)

Income-Sensitive Repayment Plan

  • Only eligible to Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program that are not eligible for PSLF.
  • Your annual income determines the payment but it will be paid in full within 15 years. 
  • You’ll pay more than the 10-year Standard Plan.
    • Eligible Loans
      • Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
      • FFEL PLUS Loans
      • FFEL Consolidation Loans

Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (REPAYE)

  • Direct Loan borrowers  are eligible. 
  • Your payments will be 10% of your discretionary  income. You have to update your income and family size yearly which will determine your recalculated payment. You need to do an update regardless of change.
  • If you are married,  filing jointly or separately, your spouse’s income and loan debt will also be considered to determine your payment.
  • You’ll pay more than  the 10-year Standard Plan.
  • After 20 years if loans were taken for undergraduate studies, your balance will be forgiven, 25 years for graduate or professional studies. The forgiven amount will be taxable.
  • Qualifies for PSLF.
    • Eligible Loans
      • Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
      • Direct PLUS Loans made to students
      • Direct Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents

Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (PAYE)

  • Both must be met to be eligible: new borrower on or after Oct. 1, 2007 and received disbursement of Direct loan on or after Oct. 1, 2011. 
  • You must have high debt compared to your income. 
  • Your payments will be 10% of your discretionary income.
  • You have to update your income and family size yearly which will determine your recalculated payment. You need to do an update regardless of change.
  • Payments will never be more than  under the 10 year Standard Repayment Plan.  
  • You’ll pay more than  the 10-year Standard Plan.
  • After 20 years your balance will be forgiven. The forgiven amount will be taxable.
  • Qualifies for PSLF.
    • Eligible Loans
      • Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
      • Direct PLUS Loans made to students
      • Direct Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents

Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR)

  • You must have a high debt in comparison to your income.
  • Your payments will be 10% or 15%  of your discretionary income which is dependent upon when you received your first loan.
  • You have to update your income and family size yearly which will determine your recalculated payment. You need to do an update regardless of change.
  • Payments will never be more than  under the 10 year Standard Repayment Plan. 
  • You’ll pay more than the 10-year Standard Plan.
  • If you are married,  filing jointly, your spouse’s income and loan debt will also determine your payment or if you both chose to repay your loans together.
  • After 20 if you were a new borrower on or after July 1, 2014 or 25 years if you were not a new borrower on or after July 1, 2014, your balance will be forgiven. The forgiven amount will be taxable.
  • Qualifies for PSLF.
    • Eligible Loans
      • Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
      • Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
      • all PLUS loans made to students
      • Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL) that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents

Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR)

  • Direct Loan borrowers or Parent Plus Loans which are consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan are  eligible.
  • Your payments will be the lesser of  20%  of your discretionary income or what you would pay under a 12 year fixed payment plan.
  • You have to update your income and family size yearly. This and your Direct Loan balance will determine your recalculated payment. You need to do an update regardless of change.
  • If you are married filing a joint tax return, your spouse’s income and loan debt will also determine  your payment or if you both chose to repay your loans.
  • You’ll pay more than the 10-year Standard Plan.
  • After 25 years your balance will be forgiven. The forgiven amount will be taxable.
  • Qualifies for PSLF.
    • Eligible Loans
      • Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
      • Direct PLUS Loans made to students
      • Direct Consolidation Loans

Mindful Reminder

The thought of addressing student loans may draw emotions of anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. Take time to process what you are feeling instead of pushing them away. Changing plans may take time, so allow ample time. This will ease the tension and set clear expectations.

Tables Summarizing Payment Plans

LoansStandard Payment PlanGraduated Repayment PlanExtended Repayment PlanIncome-Sensitive Repayment Plan
Who is
eligible?
EveryoneEveryoneDirect Loan borrowers with $30,000 or more in outstanding Direct LoansFederal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program
PaymentsFixedLower at the beginning, then increase every 2 yearsFixed or graduatedBased on annual income
Term
(in years)
10 or
10-30 for consolidation loans
10 or
10-30 for consolidation loans
2515
Eligible LoansDirect Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized LoansDirect Subsidized and Unsubsidized LoansSubsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford LoansSubsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford LoansSubsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford LoansFFEL PLUS Loans
PLUS loansPLUS loansPLUS loansFFEL Consolidation Loans
Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL)Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL)Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)Not a good option and consolidation loans do not qualifyUsually does not qualifyDoes not
qualify
Does not qualify

Income Driven Plans

LoansIncome-Based Repayment Plan (IBR)Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR)Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (REPAYE)Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (PAYE)
Who is eligible?You must have a high debt in comparison to your incomeDirect Loan borrowers

Parent Plus Loans can be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan
Direct Loan borrowersNew borrowers on or after Oct. 1, 2007 and received disbursement of Direct loan on or after Oct. 1, 2011.

You must have high debt compared to your income.
Payments10% or 15% of your discretionary incomeLess than 20% of your discretionary income or what you would pay under a 12 year fixed payment plan10% of your discretionary income10% of your discretionary income
Income and family size must be reevaluated annually regardless of change to determine recalculated paymentIncome and family size must be reevaluated annually regardless of change to determine recalculated paymentIncome and family size must be reevaluated annually regardless of change to determine recalculated paymentIncome and family size must be reevaluated annually regardless of change to determine recalculated payment
If you are married, filing jointly, your spouse’s income and loan debt will also be considered to determine your paymentIf you are married, filing jointly, your spouse’s income and loan debt will also determine your payment or if you both chose to repay your loans togetherIf you are married, filing jointly or separately, your spouse’s income and loan debt will also be considered to determine your paymentPayments will never be more than under the 10 year Standard Repayment Plan
Payments will never be more than under the 10 year Standard Repayment Plan
Term
(in years)
20 if you were a new borrower on or after July 1, 2014

25 years if you were not a new borrower on or after July 1, 2014
2520 for undergraduate

25 for graduate or professional studies
20
Eligible LoansDirect Subsidized and Unsubsidized LoansDirect
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Direct
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford LoansDirect PLUS Loans made to students
Direct Consolidation Loans
Direct PLUS Loans made to studentsDirect PLUS Loans made to students
All PLUS loans made to students
Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL) that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents
Direct Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parentsDirect Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents
Qualifies for (PSLF)
All qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
TaxesForgiven amount will be taxable

Seeking Help

If you are depressed, anxious, or have panic attacks, find a health professional who can help you. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National can provide free referrals. They are open 24/7, 365 days a year.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact 988 for help. The calls are free, confidential, and they are open 24/7 to help you navigate difficult emotions. 

Attend a Workshop

If you are interested in attending a live webinar on improving your relationship with your finances, please visit my events.

References