Federal Loan Repayment

For Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Grad PLUS loans, students are not required to make payments while enrolled at least half time. Required repayment begins after the loan's six-month grace period. The grace period begins on the last day of the semester for a graduating student, on the last day of enrollment for a student who withdraws, or on the day a student drops to less than half-time enrollment. Direct PLUS loans for parent borrowers enter repayment when they are fully disbursed, but parents may request to defer making payments while their child is enrolled in school at least half-time and for an additional six months after their child graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment.

All borrowers are assigned to a federal loan servicer and will make payments to their loan servicer. Borrowers may determine the name and contact information for their loan servicer at studentaid.gov. Borrowers may also use the Repayment Calculator to help determine their monthly payment amount based on their specific circumstances.

Federal Loan Repayment Plans

The following repayment plan options are available for borrowers with any federal loan disbursing after July 1, 2026. Borrowers with federal loans that disbursed prior to July 1, 2026 and with no new federal loans disbursing after July 1, 2026, may have access to additional repayment plans. 

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  • Tiered Standard Plan

    Borrowers will automatically be assigned to the Tiered Standard Plan unless they apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Monthly payment amounts will be fixed and the loan repaid in full within the maximum repayment period. Monthly payment amounts are based on the amount of principal balance you owe when you enter the plan, the interest rate on your loan, and the length of the repayment period. 

    Total Direct Loan Outstanding Principal Balance

    Maximum Repayment Period

    $1 to $24,999

    10 years

    $25,000 to $49,999

    15 years

    $50,000 to $99,999

    20 years

    $100,000+

    25 years

    Payments on the Tiered Standard Plan are not considered qualifying payments for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 

  • Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

    Borrowers who apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will have their monthly payment amount determined based on income and number of dependents. Changes in income or number of dependents will result in changes to your monthly payment amount. Under RAP, any remaining loan balance may be discharged after you’ve satisfied 360 qualifying payments over a period of at least 30 years. 

    Generally, payments made under the RAP are eligilble for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) as long as the payments are made on time and in full. 

    To apply for RAP, visit studentaid.gov.