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Which Income-Driven Plan Lowers My Payment?

Use the free tool — Student Loan Plan Picker

Which income-driven plan fits you?

Federal student loans have several income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. The plans available today, and how each one sets your monthly payment, are listed on StudentAid.gov. Plan names and terms have changed more than once since 2023, so check that page for what exists right now — don't rely on an old plan name someone mentioned to you.

See your real number in the Loan Simulator

Nobody can tell you your exact payment without running your numbers. The Loan Simulator on StudentAid.gov is the official tool that shows your payment under every plan you're eligible for. Enter your loan type, balance, income and family size there before you decide anything.

If you work for the government, a school, a hospital, or a nonprofit

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgives what's left after 120 qualifying monthly payments — they don't have to be consecutive — made under an IDR plan or the 10-year standard plan, while you work full-time (30+ hours) for a U.S. government employer at any level, or for a qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A labor union itself is generally not a qualifying employer unless it is a 501(c)(3) — but most union members who work in public schools, hospitals, transit or government still qualify through that employer. Use the PSLF Help Tool on StudentAid.gov's PSLF page to certify your employer.

FFEL, Perkins and Parent PLUS loans

FFEL and Perkins loans generally must be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan before they're eligible for PSLF and most IDR plans. Consolidating can affect how many payments already count and can change your interest. Parent PLUS loans have limited plan options after consolidation. Check the consolidation information on StudentAid.gov before you consolidate anything.

Married? Filing status can change your payment

If you're married, filing your taxes jointly or separately can change your IDR payment, because some plans count your spouse's income and some don't. Run both scenarios in the Loan Simulator, and if the difference is large, talk to a tax professional. This guide can't tell you which filing status to choose.

Behind on payments or in default?

StudentAid.gov describes two ways out of default: rehabilitation and consolidation. Being in default blocks you from IDR plans and from PSLF until it's resolved. Getting out of default can stop wage garnishment and tax-refund offset. Don't ignore your servicer — go through the official steps on StudentAid.gov's "Getting out of default" page.

Private loans and scams

If your loans are private, IDR and PSLF don't apply to them. Refinancing is the main option for private loans, and it depends on your credit. Refinancing federal loans into private ones gives up federal protections permanently — this guide does not recommend that. Applying for any federal plan or forgiveness is always free on StudentAid.gov — per the FTC, never pay a company to do it for you.

What to do next

This page is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice, and plan rules change often. The free tool reads your own loan type, balance, income, family size and employer, and points you to the plan that likely fits, whether PSLF applies to your job, and what to fix first — before you confirm the exact number in the Loan Simulator and with your servicer.

Student Loan Plan Picker explains federal repayment and forgiveness options in plain language from StudentAid.gov; it can be wrong, and it is not financial, tax or legal advice. Plan availability and terms change — the official site controls. Nothing you paste is stored.