Federal student loan guide
How to check and apply for an income-driven repayment plan
Use current Federal Student Aid tools to check income-driven repayment eligibility, compare plans and apply. Includes July 2026 changes and official links.
What is the official route to check or apply for an IDR plan?
Sign in at StudentAid.gov and review your Dashboard for each federal loan’s type, status, balance, and disbursement history. Open Federal Student Aid’s Repayment Calculator to see estimates for plans your loans may qualify for; its results are estimates, and your servicer sets final terms after processing an application. To request an eligible IDR plan, use the official online application at StudentAid.gov/idr. Applying through the federal site is free. Reviewed November 3, 2026. This guide explains official steps and does not estimate an individual payment or recommend a plan.
What information should I check before comparing plans?
Record each loan’s federal program and type, disbursement date, current repayment plan, and status. Eligibility depends on loan type and when it was disbursed; a mix of loan types or dates may have different options. Parent PLUS loans have special limits, and defaulted loans are not eligible for IDR while in default. Consolidation can change which plans are available, so read the official consequences before consolidating. Use Federal Student Aid’s eligibility table for the rules that match your loans rather than assuming all federal loans qualify for the same plan.
What changed for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026?
Federal Student Aid says that if all your loans were disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is the only available IDR plan; parent PLUS loans and certain consolidations that repaid parent PLUS loans are excluded. Borrowers with earlier or mixed disbursement dates may have different options. The agency also says PAYE and ICR are scheduled to end no later than July 1, 2028, and that the SAVE Plan ended following a court order in March 2026. These rules can depend on loan details and subsequent official updates, so check the current eligibility table and any servicer notice before acting.
How do I compare plans without relying on a payment guess?
Use the Federal Student Aid Repayment Calculator while signed in so it can show your loan details and plans you may be eligible for. The official tool can compare estimated monthly payment, repayment period, estimated total paid, principal and interest, and possible IDR or Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) discharge. You can also review manual scenarios. A lower monthly estimate can mean a longer repayment period and more interest, and any discharge can have tax implications. Estimates are not an approval or final bill; your servicer confirms your terms after processing.
What happens during the application?
Start the request at StudentAid.gov/idr and follow the current form. Federal Student Aid says applicants can provide consent for secure IRS federal tax information retrieval, or submit accepted income documentation such as a recent tax return; if you did not file, pay stubs or an employer letter may be accepted. Follow the application’s instructions for your circumstances. After submission, check the StudentAid.gov My Activity page for the application status and any action required. Keep your servicer contact details current and follow any deadline in a notice, especially if you are enrolled in or applied for SAVE. Federal loan servicer help is free; you do not need to pay a company to apply.
What should I keep checking after enrollment?
Check your Dashboard and servicer statements for the plan, payment amount, and recertification date. Federal Student Aid says IDR borrowers generally must update income and family size or dependents once each year; missing the deadline can affect the payment. If your income or household information changes, consult the official application and servicer about submitting updated information. If you are pursuing PSLF, separately verify that your loans, employment, and payments meet PSLF rules.
Sources
- Federal Student Aid: Income-Driven Repayment Plans (official entry and application page; checked November 3, 2026)
- Federal Student Aid: IDR Plan Request (official online application; checked November 3, 2026)
- Federal Student Aid: Top FAQs About Income-Driven Repayment Plans (eligibility, application, and recertification; checked November 3, 2026)
- Federal Student Aid: SAVE Plan Borrowers FAQs About Choosing a Different Repayment Plan (published October 2026; checked November 3, 2026)
- Federal Student Aid: Compare Repayment Plans With Our Repayment Calculator (published August 2026; checked November 3, 2026)