United States student loan income-driven repayment
United States federal income-driven repayment plans base payments on income and family size or dependents, with eligibility varying by loan type and disbursement date.
- Available plans
- IBR, ICR, PAYE and RAPDepartment of Education, income-driven repayment FAQs
- RAP minimum monthly payment
- $10Department of Education, income-driven repayment FAQs
Current plans
The Department of Education administers federal repayment plans under rules established by Congress. Its current FAQ lists IBR, ICR, PAYE and RAP. SAVE is no longer available. PAYE and ICR end no later than July 1, 2028. Department of Education, income-driven repayment FAQs (opens in a new tab).
Payment methods
RAP uses 1–10% of adjusted gross income divided by 12, reduced by $50 per tax-return dependent, with a $10 monthly minimum. IBR uses 15% of discretionary income, or 10% for new borrowers, capped at the 10-year Standard payment. PAYE uses 10%. ICR uses the lesser of 20% of discretionary income or an income-adjusted 12-year fixed payment. Department of Education, income-driven repayment FAQs (opens in a new tab).
Eligibility boundaries
Where all loans were disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, RAP is the only available income-driven plan. Parent PLUS loans and consolidations that repaid them are ineligible for RAP. Earlier loans and mixed disbursement dates have different eligibility rules. Defaulted loans are ineligible for income-driven repayment. Department of Education, income-driven repayment FAQs (opens in a new tab).
Scope
This guide summarises published federal payment methods. It does not determine eligibility, discretionary income, a monthly bill or discharge entitlement. General information only, not personalised repayment advice.