RAP Calculator 2026: your payment, your best plan, your PSLF path
Quick answer: Under RAP, you pay 1%–10% of your total AGI ÷ 12 (the percentage rises 1 point for every $10,000 of AGI above $10,000), minus $50 per dependent, with a $10/month minimum. Remaining balance is forgiven after 360 qualifying payments — or after 120 under PSLF. Enter your numbers once: we compare RAP vs IBR vs Tiered Standard, give a one-line recommendation, model PSLF, and flag deadlines.
How RAP payments are calculated (formula version November 5, 2026)
| Total AGI | Annual base payment |
|---|---|
| $10k–$20k | 1% of AGI |
| $20k–$30k | 2% of AGI |
| $30k–$40k | 3% of AGI |
| $40k–$50k | 4% of AGI |
| $50k–$60k | 5% of AGI |
| $60k–$70k | 6% of AGI |
| $70k–$80k | 7% of AGI |
| $80k–$90k | 8% of AGI |
| $90k–$100k | 9% of AGI |
| Over $100,000 | 10% of AGI |
- Monthly payment = base ÷ 12 − $50 per dependent; never below $10.
- Interest subsidy: unpaid monthly interest after an on-time payment is not charged.
- Principal match: if your payment reduces principal by less than $50, ED pays the difference, up to the lesser of $50 or your payment.
- Forgiveness after 360 qualifying payments (30 years). Parent PLUS loans are not eligible.
- PSLF: RAP, IBR, and the 10-year Standard plan count toward the 120 PSLF payments; Tiered Standard payments do not count unless they are on a 10-year schedule.
- Tiered Standard plan (loans made on/after Jul 1, 2026): 10 yrs if balance <$25k, 15 yrs $25k–<$50k, 20 yrs $50k–<$100k, 25 yrs $100k+ (P.L. 119-21 §82001).
Frequently asked questions
What is RAP and how is the payment calculated?
RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan) is the new federal income-driven plan that launched July 1, 2026. Your annual base payment is 1%–10% of total AGI (the percentage rises 1 point for every $10,000 of AGI above $10,000). AGI of $10,000 or less pays $120/year. Monthly payment = base ÷ 12 − $50 per dependent, never below $10. Source: 34 CFR 685.209 and P.L. 119-21 §82001.
How is RAP different from IBR?
IBR (Income-Based Repayment) charges 10% or 15% of discretionary income (AGI minus 150% of the poverty guideline), with a 20- or 25-year forgiveness clock. RAP uses a stepped percentage of total AGI, subtracts $50 per dependent, waives unpaid interest after on-time payments, and forgives after 360 payments (30 years). This calculator shows both side-by-side from the same inputs.
Do I need an account or my FSA ID to use this?
No. Enter AGI, dependents, balance, and rate. Everything runs in your browser. We never ask for SSN, FSA ID, loan account numbers, or servicer logins. You can save a plan card on this device or copy a secret share link — both are optional.
Is forgiven balance taxable?
Forgiven amounts under federal student loan plans may be taxable under current IRS rules. This tool estimates the forgiven balance but does not give tax advice. Confirm with a tax professional and IRS guidance before you rely on a forgiveness estimate.
When do I have to leave my old repayment plan?
Borrowers still on legacy plans must move to a new plan (such as RAP or Tiered Standard) by July 1, 2028 under P.L. 119-21. Use this calculator to see what RAP would cost before you switch on studentaid.gov.
Do RAP payments count toward PSLF?
Yes. Payments under RAP, IBR, and the 10-year Standard plan count toward the 120 qualifying payments for Public Service Loan Forgiveness while you work full-time for a qualifying employer. Tiered Standard payments do not count unless they are on a 10-year schedule. PSLFCheck estimates months left and the amount that could be forgiven, but only ED determines PSLF eligibility.
What happens if I consolidate or take a new loan after July 1, 2026?
New loans, including consolidation loans, made on or after July 1, 2026 are generally limited to RAP or the Tiered Standard plan and lose access to IBR and legacy plans. Parent PLUS loans and consolidation loans that repaid them cannot use RAP. Check with your servicer before consolidating.
Limitations of this estimate
Income, dependents, and household size are held constant; real payments are recalculated every year. PSLF results assume every remaining month is a qualifying, on-time payment while employed full-time by a qualifying employer — only ED decides PSLF eligibility. Joint-filer spouse shares are rough estimates; ED's exact proration may differ. Poverty guideline uses the 48-state HHS figure unless you override it. IBR eligibility for loans made after Jul 1, 2026 is flagged, not modeled. Always confirm with your servicer before switching plans.
Official sources
- Public Law 119-21 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), Sec. 82001 — Congress.gov — accessed November 5, 2026
- 34 CFR 685.209 — Income-driven repayment plans (eCFR) — accessed November 5, 2026
- Top FAQs About Income-Driven Repayment Plans — studentaid.gov — accessed November 5, 2026
- CRS IF13075: The Repayment Assistance Plan in P.L. 119-21 — Congress.gov — accessed November 5, 2026
- Edfinancial (federal servicer, studentaid.gov domain): RAP information — accessed November 5, 2026
Last verified: November 5, 2026
Disclaimer: Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or any loan servicer. Educational information, not financial or legal advice. Results are estimates. Confirm with studentaid.gov or your servicer. Published by PSLFCheck Editorial, AK Digital Marketing LLC.