Student Loan Repayment Calculator (RAP Plan)
Use this free RAP student loan calculator to estimate your 2026 monthly payment. Enter your income and dependents to see your RAP payment and compare it to the standard 10-year plan. Works with Nelnet, Aidvantage, and MOHELA.
Usually your kids. Not you or your spouse. Type 0 if none. Each one cuts your payment by $50 a month.
How the RAP payment plan works, explained simply
RAP is the new Repayment Assistance Plan, the income driven plan for federal student loans that replaced SAVE, PAYE, and ICR for new enrollment. Your RAP payment is a percentage of your income. The percentage rises with your income, from 1% to 10% of AGI. Every dependent cuts your payment by $50 a month. The minimum payment is $10 a month. It is the new student loan plan that most borrowers should compare against IBR before choosing.
Your payment rate by income
| Adjusted gross income | Payment per year |
|---|---|
| $10,000 or less | Flat $120 ($10 per month) |
| $10,001 to $20,000 | 1% of AGI |
| $20,001 to $30,000 | 2% of AGI |
| $30,001 to $40,000 | 3% of AGI |
| $40,001 to $50,000 | 4% of AGI |
| $50,001 to $60,000 | 5% of AGI |
| $60,001 to $70,000 | 6% of AGI |
| $70,001 to $80,000 | 7% of AGI |
| $80,001 to $90,000 | 8% of AGI |
| $90,001 to $100,000 | 9% of AGI |
| Over $100,000 | 10% of AGI |
Two helpful protections
Unpaid interest does not pile up. If your payment does not cover the interest, the government waives the rest. Your balance also shrinks every month. If your payment cuts less than $50 of principal, the government pays the difference.
Forgiveness
Any balance left after 30 years of payments is forgiven. That is longer than the 20 or 25 years under the old plans. Existing borrowers on old plans have until 2028 to switch.
Frequently asked questions about RAP
What is the RAP student loan plan?
RAP stands for Repayment Assistance Plan. It is the new income driven repayment plan for federal student loans that opened July 1, 2026. Some people call it the new student loan plan or the RAP payment plan. It replaced SAVE, PAYE, and ICR for new enrollment. Your payment is 1 to 10 percent of your adjusted gross income depending on your income bracket.
What is AGI?
AGI stands for adjusted gross income. It is your total income minus certain deductions, found on line 11 of your Form 1040. RAP uses your AGI to determine your payment bracket. It is not your take home pay or your gross salary.
How do I apply for RAP?
Apply at studentaid.gov/idr using your FSA ID. Processing takes 10 to 30 days. Read the full step by step guide to applying for RAP.
Is the RAP plan better than IBR?
It depends on your income and goals. RAP usually has lower monthly payments and guarantees your balance never grows. IBR forgives your balance sooner, after 20 or 25 years instead of 30. Read the full RAP vs IBR comparison to see which fits your situation.
Does RAP qualify for PSLF?
Yes. Every monthly RAP payment counts toward the 120 payments needed for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Read the full RAP and PSLF guide.
What happened to the SAVE plan?
A federal court ended SAVE in March 2026. Borrowers on SAVE are being moved off it and have 90 days from their notice to choose a new plan. Read what to do now that SAVE is gone.
Do Parent PLUS loans qualify for RAP?
No. Parent PLUS loans are excluded, even after consolidation. Read more about Parent PLUS loans and RAP.
How much does RAP cost at different incomes?
See our full table of RAP payment examples from $20,000 to $120,000, with and without dependents.
Does RAP work with Nelnet, Aidvantage, and MOHELA?
Yes. RAP works with all federal student loan servicers including Nelnet, Aidvantage, and MOHELA. Your servicer processes your RAP application and calculates your official payment. The calculator above gives you an estimate to compare before you apply. You can find your servicer at studentaid.gov under My Aid.