Standard repayment is a fixed monthly payment designed to pay the loan in full over a set term. For many federal Direct Loans, the default standard term is 10 years. This tool uses that amortizing structure: the payment stays the same; the mix of interest vs. principal changes over time.

Income-driven repayment (IDR) calculates the payment from discretionary income and family size rather than a simple amortization of the balance. IDR payments can be lower (sometimes $0), terms are typically 20 or 25 years, unpaid interest may accrue, and remaining balances may be eligible for forgiveness. This calculator does not estimate IDR, SAVE, PAYE, IBR, or ICR.

No. Enter a single balance and APR. If you have multiple loans, run each separately or use a weighted-average rate only as a rough combined view. Federal loans may offer income-driven plans, deferment, forbearance, and forgiveness that private loans generally do not. Interest subsidies and grace periods are also not included.

Refinancing means taking a new loan to pay off existing student loans, usually to get a lower rate, a different term, or a single payment. Compare the new APR, fees, and total interest against your current loans. If you refinance federal student loans into a private loan, you typically give up federal benefits such as income-driven repayment, certain deferment options, and loan-forgiveness programs. This page does not recommend a specific refinance product.