When does RAP take effect?

RAP became available July 1, 2026. Eligibility depends on loan type and disbursement dates; borrowers with older or mixed loans may have different plan choices. Check the current Federal Student Aid eligibility table before applying.

How is RAP different from SAVE?

RAP uses a tiered percentage of AGI, a $50 reduction per dependent and a $10 minimum in this model. SAVE used a different discretionary-income formula, and its availability and transition rules changed. Compare the current Federal Student Aid options for the specific loan dates instead of treating this historical comparison as an enrollment rule.

What happens if my RAP payment doesn't cover interest?

The Education Department subsidizes the unpaid interest — your balance does not grow. RAP also includes a $50 principal-match: if your payment reduces principal by less than $50/month, the government adds up to $50 toward your principal. This is a unique feature designed to ensure low-income borrowers make progress.

Are Parent PLUS loans eligible for RAP?

Parent PLUS loans and consolidation loans that include a Parent PLUS loan are not eligible for RAP. Other repayment choices depend on the loan and consolidation history, so confirm the current options with Federal Student Aid or your servicer.

How long until loan forgiveness under RAP?

The modeled RAP term is 30 years (360 qualifying monthly payments). Tax treatment of a forgiven balance depends on the law in effect when the discharge occurs; check current IRS and Federal Student Aid guidance.

Can I still get PSLF under RAP?

RAP payments may count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) when the borrower, loan, employer and payment meet the current qualifying rules. Confirm the count in the official PSLF and Federal Student Aid guidance; federal and state tax treatment can differ.

Should I switch to RAP if I'm currently on SAVE / IBR / PAYE?

It depends on your loan dates, income, dependents, forgiveness progress and the plans currently available to you. Compare the official Federal Student Aid options and your servicer's quote before changing plans; the calculator is an estimate, not an enrollment recommendation.

How much will my payment be under RAP if I make $50,000 a year?

At $50,000 AGI your RAP payment is 4% of AGI: $2,000/year, about $167 per month with no dependents. With 2 dependents the $50-each reduction brings it to about $67/month. The 5% tier begins above $50,000; at $49,999 the 4% tier also applies.

How much will my payment be under RAP if I make $3,000 a month?

$3,000/month is $36,000 AGI, which falls in the 3% tier (more than $30,000 and no more than $40,000). Annual obligation: $1,080 — about $90 per month with no dependents, or $40/month with one dependent ($50 reduction).

What will my RAP payment be if my AGI is $33,000, married filing separately?

When you file separately, RAP uses only your individual AGI and the dependents you claim, subject to the current rules. At $33,000 AGI you are in the 3% tier (more than $30,000 and no more than $40,000), so the base payment is $990/year, about $83/month with no dependents. Filing separately can raise the household tax bill; compare both scenarios before choosing.

What happens if you can't pay on the RAP payment plan?

This model applies a $10 monthly minimum, including when AGI is at or below $10,000. If you still cannot pay, deferment or forbearance eligibility and the effect on qualifying-payment counts depend on the current federal rules and your loan. Contact your servicer before missing a payment; delinquency and default timelines can have serious consequences.

When will my loans be forgiven under RAP — what's the payoff date?

RAP forgives the remaining balance after 360 qualifying monthly payments (30 years from entering repayment). A borrower starting RAP in July 2026 reaches forgiveness in July 2056 — unless the balance is paid off earlier through payments, the $50 principal match, or extra payments. PSLF-eligible borrowers can reach tax-free forgiveness in 10 years instead.

New federal plan · Effective July 1, 2026

RAP calculator: the Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans

The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is an income-driven option available from July 1, 2026. For borrowers whose loans were all first disbursed on or after that date, RAP is the available IDR plan; the Tiered Standard plan is a separate fixed-payment option. This page models a tiered AGI payment, dependent reduction, $10 minimum and a 30-year forgiveness scenario; confirm eligibility for your loan dates.

What would my monthly payment be on the RAP plan?

This model calculates a tiered percentage of adjusted gross income (AGI), then reduces the result by $50 per dependent and applies a $10 monthly minimum. The modeled tiers are: $10/month at or below $10,000 AGI; 1% for more than $10,000 to $20,000; 2% for more than $20,000 to $30,000; 3% for more than $30,000 to $40,000; 4% for more than $40,000 to $50,000; 5% for more than $50,000 to $60,000; 6% for more than $60,000 to $70,000; 7% for more than $70,000 to $80,000; 8% for more than $80,000 to $90,000; 9% for more than $90,000 to $100,000; 10% for more than $100,000. Verify the official formula and eligibility for your loan dates.

Quick examples (single, no dependents):

AGI $35,000 → 3% = $1,050/year → $88/month
AGI $45,000 → 4% = $1,800/year → $150/month
AGI $55,000 → 5% = $2,750/year → $229/month
AGI $75,000 → 7% = $5,250/year → $438/month
AGI $110,000 → 10% = $11,000/year → $917/month
AGI $55,000 + 2 dependents → $229 − $100 = $129/month

For a payment estimate with your exact AGI and dependent count, use the interactive RAP estimate below.

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Interactive estimate

Calculate a modeled RAP monthly payment

Enter adjusted gross income (AGI) and the number of dependents claimed on your federal return. This is an arithmetic estimate, not an eligibility or enrollment decision.

Annual AGIDependents claimed

Modeled monthly payment

$167

Base payment before dependents

$167 / mo

Applied band

4% of AGI

The model subtracts $0 for dependents and applies the $10 monthly floor. Loan type, first-disbursement date, filing status and current federal rules can change eligibility and the official payment.

Short answer · Quick examples

$50K AGI, 0 dependents: ~$167/mo (4% of AGI; the 5% band begins above $50,000).
$75K AGI, 2 dependents: ~$338/mo (7% minus $100 for kids).
$100K AGI, 0 dependents: ~$750/mo (9% of AGI; the 10% band begins above $100,000).

RAP tiered payment structure

AGI bracket	% of AGI	Notes
At or below $10,000	—	$120 annual base / $10 monthly minimum
More than $10,000 to $20,000	1%	1% of AGI
More than $20,000 to $30,000	2%	2% of AGI
More than $30,000 to $40,000	3%	3% of AGI
More than $40,000 to $50,000	4%	4% of AGI
More than $50,000 to $60,000	5%	5% of AGI
More than $60,000 to $70,000	6%	6% of AGI
More than $70,000 to $80,000	7%	7% of AGI
More than $80,000 to $90,000	8%	8% of AGI
More than $90,000 to $100,000	9%	9% of AGI
More than $100,000	10%	10% of AGI

Monthly payment by AGI (worked examples)

AGI	0 dep.	1 dep.	2 dep.	3 dep.	Tier
$15,000	$13	$10	$10	$10	1%
$25,000	$42	$10	$10	$10	2%
$35,000	$88	$38	$10	$10	3%
$45,000	$150	$100	$50	$10	4%
$55,000	$229	$179	$129	$79	5%
$65,000	$325	$275	$225	$175	6%
$75,000	$438	$388	$338	$288	7%
$85,000	$567	$517	$467	$417	8%
$100,000	$750	$700	$650	$600	9%
$150,000	$1,250	$1,200	$1,150	$1,100	10%

Each dependent reduces monthly payment by $50, but minimum is always $10. Verify your AGI from line 11 of your most recent 1040.

How RAP works step-by-step

Check eligibility through StudentAid.gov: loan type and first-disbursement date determine the plans available to you.
Recertify annually: each year you submit updated tax info. A raise into a new bracket increases your payment the following year.
Pay at least the minimum: $10/month or your tiered % of AGI minus $50/dependent, whichever is higher.
Interest and principal rules: the government treatment of unpaid interest and the principal benefit depend on the current RAP rules; this page models the published concepts but does not determine a borrower's account balance.
Forgiveness scenario: this page models up to 360 qualifying payments; eligibility, qualifying-payment counts and tax treatment depend on the current rules at discharge.

RAP vs SAVE vs IBR (key differences)

Feature	RAP (2026+)	SAVE (historical)	Current IBR
Payment basis	% of AGI (tiered 1-10%)	% of discretionary (5-10%)	10-15% of discretionary
Minimum payment	$10/month	$0 below ~$32K AGI	$0 below ~150% poverty line
Dependent reduction	$50/each	Family-size-adjusted poverty	Family-size-adjusted poverty
Interest subsidy	Full (no growth)	Full	Partial (1st 3 yrs sub only)
Principal match	Up to $50/mo	None	None
Forgiveness term	30 years	10-25 yrs (by balance)	20-25 years
PSLF eligible	Yes (120 payments)	Yes	Yes
Parent PLUS	Not eligible	Limited	Not eligible

SAVE is shown as historical context. Its availability and transition rules changed; use the current Federal Student Aid eligibility table for an actual borrower decision.

Who benefits from RAP vs other plans

RAP may fit some households with dependents — the modeled $50-per-dependent reduction can change the payment, but compare the official formula and other eligible plans.
Another IDR plan may fit a lower-AGI borrower — loan dates and current eligibility determine which comparisons are available.
A fixed plan may reduce total interest in some scenarios — compare payment affordability, term, forgiveness eligibility and the actual loan balance instead of assuming a universal winner.
PSLF requires qualifying employment and payments — confirm that RAP payments qualify under the current Federal Student Aid and PSLF rules before relying on a forgiveness scenario.

Important caveat

RAP rules are modeled from P.L. 119-21 and the linked Federal Student Aid guidance. Eligibility and implementation details can differ by loan type and disbursement date. Confirm the current rules at StudentAid.gov before making repayment decisions, and consider working with a qualified student-loan professional for high-balance situations.

Related calculators & guides

Sources: Federal Student Aid IDR guidance; U.S. Department of Education fact sheet; P.L. 119-21. Effective July 1, 2026. Check the official pages for eligibility and implementation changes.