IBR vs RAP Calculator
First check whether IBR can still be an option. If it can, compare the starting IBR and RAP payments, then add loan details or forgiveness progress only when useful.
Compare IBR and RAP starting payments, then optionally add loan details, screen plan access, and apply an official IDR count.
How to Read the Comparison
IBR charges 10% or 15% of income above 150% of the poverty guideline and is limited by the applicable 10-year Standard payment. RAP uses an AGI band, subtracts $50 per claimed tax dependent, and has a $10 floor with no payment cap.
A lower payment is only the first comparison. With on-time payments, RAP can waive unpaid monthly interest and add a limited principal subsidy. IBR can reach forgiveness after 240 or 300 qualifying payments; RAP uses 360.
Check Forgiveness Credit Before Switching
The credit moves in only one direction. Qualifying IBR and other specified IDR months can count toward RAP’s 360-payment clock. Months paid under RAP do not count toward IBR’s 240- or 300-payment clock if the borrower later returns to IBR.
Use the official IDR count shown by StudentAid.gov before changing plans. This calculator can subtract that number, but it cannot verify the count or determine forgiveness eligibility.
Which Loans Are Being Compared?
All Direct Loans obtained by one borrower generally must be repaid together under the same plan. Because a Direct Loan received on or after July 1, 2026 cannot use IBR, the borrower generally cannot keep older Direct Loans on IBR and should compare RAP with Tiered Standard instead.
Parent PLUS loans and Parent-PLUS-based excepted consolidations have separate restrictions. Use the calculator’s eligibility check and confirm the actual loan groups in StudentAid.gov before relying on either column.
Sources and Limitations
Current as of July 15, 2026. The formulas, loan-date restrictions, and same-plan rule follow the RISE final rule, including 34 C.F.R. §§ 685.209 and 685.210. Poverty values use the 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines.
The calculator does not retrieve loan records, verify plan access, model spouse-loan proration, predict future income, or determine official IDR or PSLF credit. Confirm the result with StudentAid.gov and the servicer before acting.
For the longer explanation, read IBR vs RAP.
IBR vs RAP FAQs
Neither plan always wins. Compare the starting payment, IBR's 20- or 25-year clock and payment cap, RAP's 30-year clock and on-time interest assistance, and any forgiveness credit you already have.
RAP can start lower at some incomes, especially after its $50-per-dependent reduction. IBR can be lower because it protects 150% of the poverty guideline and cannot exceed its applicable 10-year Standard cap. The result depends on the borrower's facts.
Eligible borrowers can change plans, but the forgiveness credit is asymmetric. Qualifying IBR months can count toward RAP's 360-payment clock. Months paid under RAP do not count toward IBR's 240- or 300-payment clock if the borrower later returns to IBR.
Yes. Both RAP and IBR are PSLF-qualifying repayment plans when the borrower, loans, employment, and payments satisfy the other PSLF rules. This calculator does not determine PSLF eligibility.
All Direct Loans obtained by one borrower generally must be repaid together under the same plan. Because a Direct Loan received on or after July 1, 2026 cannot use IBR, the borrower generally cannot keep older Direct Loans on IBR. Narrow PLUS and excepted-consolidation exceptions require separate review.
IBR and RAP use different household definitions. IBR family size can include people who are not tax dependents. RAP subtracts $50 a month only for dependents claimed on the federal tax return, and a spouse is not treated as a dependent.
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