Federal loans have several set repayment plans that borrowers can choose from.
The Standard plan is made up of equal monthly payments over a ten-year timeline to pay off your loans. (The Standard plan timeline for consolidated loans is longer.) Borrowers can request other plans like Extended, Graduated, or Extended Graduated to pay over a longer timeline or to pay less on their loans now and more as time goes on.
There are also some income-driven repayment plans (IDR) that use a borrower’s discretionary income to calculate a monthly payment that can be as low as zero dollars.
There will be several new changes to repayment plans starting July 1, 2026. The new Standard plan will be made up of equal monthly payments over a ten to twenty-five-year timeline, depending on the borrower’s original balance. Additionally, new borrowers can only use the new Standard (10-25 year) plan or the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Any 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, RAP, or the new standard plan by 2028.