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 Tiered Standard plan will be made up of equal monthly payments over a 10-25-year timeline, depending on the borrower’s original balance. Direct Loans or Direct Consolidation Loans disbursed by June 30, 2026, can remain enrolled in this plan through July 1, 2028, but must switch into IBR, if eligible, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), or the Tiered Standard plan by 2028. However, if new loans are disbursed on or after July 1, all loans disbursed by June 30, 2026, will only have access to the Tiered Standard plan and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), if eligible.
Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, can only access the Tiered Standard (10-25 year) plan or RAP.