Unless you request a different repayment plan, your loans will be automatically placed in a 10-year Standard repayment plan. Your loan balance and projected interest will be divided into equal monthly payments over a ten-year timeline.
The Standard plan for consolidation loans works differently - the repayment term can be anywhere from 10 to 30 years, depending on the balance of your loans.
Unless it’s over a ten-year timeline, payments on the Standard plan for consolidation loans don’t qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Starting July 1, 2026, the new Standard plan will be made up of equal monthly payments over a 10-25-year timeline, depending on the borrower’s original balance. As of July 2026, new borrowers will be required to enroll in the new Standard plan or the repayment assistance program (RAP) plan.