How Do I Change My Student Loan Repayment Plan?

• Changing your federal repayment plan is free. If all your loans were made before July 1, 2026, you can switch at any time to any plan you qualify for (34 CFR § 685.210(b)(1)); if you’ve borrowed since then, your choices are the Repayment Assistance Plan and the Tiered Standard plan.

• The SAVE plan was permanently struck down, so you’ll need to choose a current repayment plan.

• Online income-driven repayment applications are available again at StudentAid.gov; you can apply online or by paper form to your servicer.

• Changing plans can affect your monthly payment amount and loan forgiveness timeline.

• You should reassess your repayment plan annually or when your financial situation changes.

Changing your federal student loan repayment plan is more straightforward again now that the legal picture has settled. Here’s what you need to know:

The courts have permanently struck down the SAVE plan, and online applications for income-driven repayment plans are open again at StudentAid.gov. You can apply online or submit a paper form to your loan servicer. The task now isn’t waiting out a court fight — it’s choosing a current repayment plan that fits your goals, which for most borrowers pursuing forgiveness is Income-Based Repayment (IBR).

To change your plan:

1. Apply online at StudentAid.gov, or download the income-driven repayment application form and mail it to your loan servicer.

2. Choose the plan that fits your goals. IBR is the most stable option for most borrowers.

3. Recertify your income and family size when prompted so your payment is calculated correctly.

This process applies whether you’re moving off SAVE or switching between other plans, such as Income-Based Repayment or the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).

Your repayment options largely depend on whether you were on the SAVE plan and when your loans were first disbursed.

If you were on SAVE, you’re currently in administrative forbearance. This means you don’t owe payments and won’t accrue interest for now. But you also won’t make progress toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness or income-driven repayment forgiveness while you sit in it, which is why most borrowers are better off moving to a plan that counts again.

For most former SAVE borrowers, that plan is Income-Based Repayment (IBR). IBR is written into federal law, remains the most stable choice, and can still be $0 depending on your income and family size. Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) are closing to new enrollees and sunset on July 1, 2028, so they’re generally not where you want to land. And if any of your loans were first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is your income-driven option.

Another route is a Standard, Extended, or Graduated repayment plan. These offer fixed payments based on your remaining balance, interest rate, and repayment period, but they typically don’t qualify for PSLF or IDR forgiveness. So if you’re pursuing loan forgiveness, they’re generally not recommended.

Before deciding, use the Loan Simulator to compare your estimated payments under each plan. Consider your ability to afford monthly payments and your long-term repayment strategy.

Also keep in mind that switching plans will require you to recertify your family size and income. Depending on what you reported when you last submitted an income-driven repayment application, changes to either can adjust your payment.

SAVE is over. The 8th Circuit permanently struck down the SAVE plan on March 10, 2026. There are no new enrollments, and it isn’t coming back. If you were on SAVE, you’re now in administrative forbearance — you don’t owe payments, but you aren’t earning PSLF or income-driven repayment forgiveness credit while you’re parked there.

Your past progress isn’t lost, but the clock is paused. Months spent in forbearance don’t count toward the 120 payments for PSLF or the 20 to 25 years for income-driven repayment forgiveness. For most people, the fix is to move to a plan that starts counting again rather than wait.

PSLF buyback may fill the gap. If you have qualifying public-service employment, the PSLF buyback option lets you pay for forbearance months so they count toward your 120 qualifying payments.

The plan menu has changed. Under the 2025 budget law and the new repayment rules, IBR, PAYE, and ICR are closed to loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, and PAYE and ICR end July 1, 2028. IBR is written into federal law and is the most stable choice for most borrowers. RAP is the new income-driven plan and the only income-driven option for loans taken on or after July 1, 2026.

What that means depends on where you stand:

• If you’re pursuing PSLF: switch to a qualifying plan — usually IBR — so your payments count again, and look at buyback if you’re close to 120.

• If you’re on a long-term income-driven track: don’t stay parked in forbearance. IBR (or RAP, for newer loans) keeps the clock running.

• If you’re struggling financially: IBR can still be $0 based on your income and family size, and $0 months count toward forgiveness, unlike forbearance months.

• For everyone: starting July 1, 2026, your servicer sends a notice with a 90-day window to choose a plan. If you don’t choose, you’re placed on the Standard or Tiered Standard plan by default.

Given the current uncertainty in student loan repayment options, carefully weigh these factors before changing your plan:

1. Long-term forgiveness goals: If you’re pursuing PSLF or IDR Plan forgiveness, switching to a non-IDR plan could derail your progress. Consider how a plan change might affect your forgiveness timeline.

2. Monthly payment amount: Compare your potential payments under different plans. While SAVE offered the lowest payments for many, other IDR plans might still be more affordable than standard repayment options.

3. Total cost over time: Lower monthly payments often mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan. Use the Loan Simulator on StudentAid.gov to estimate your total costs under different scenarios.

4. Job security and income prospects: If your income is likely to increase significantly, a plan with payments capped at the 10-year Standard plan amount (like PAYE) might be beneficial.

5. Loan types: Some repayment plans are only available for certain loan types. Parent PLUS loans aren’t eligible for income-driven repayment on their own. A borrower could reach IBR by consolidating into a Direct Consolidation Loan and enrolling in ICR — but only if that consolidation was completed on or before June 30, 2026. That window has now closed, so a Parent PLUS borrower who didn’t consolidate in time has no income-driven repayment path and would use the Tiered Standard plan. A new Parent PLUS loan, or any consolidation made on or after July 1, 2026, has no income-driven repayment path at all.

6. Processing times: These vary by servicer and by plan. Standard, Extended, and Graduated changes are usually quick, while income-driven applications can take longer, so plan for some lead time.

7. Potential policy changes: The student loan landscape is rapidly evolving. Consider how flexible you need to be if new options become available or current options change.

Private student loans have different rules for changing repayment plans:

• Private lenders rarely offer flexible repayment options.

• Changing private loan terms usually requires refinancing with a new loan.

• Refinancing can lower your interest rate but may affect your credit score.

To refinance private student loans:

1. Compare offers from multiple lenders.

2. Check eligibility requirements, including credit score and income.

3. Be aware that refinancing federal loans into private loans eliminates federal benefits.

Your options depend on your lender’s policies and your financial situation. Consult your lender before changing your private student loan repayment plan.

You can change your student loan repayment plan by submitting the appropriate form to your servicer. Here’s how:

1. For Income-Driven Repayment Plans: Download the IDR Request Form and then complete the form and include the required income documentation.

2. For Standard, Extended, or Graduated Repayment Plans: Download the the Repayment Plan Request form. You don’t need to include income documentation. Note: These plans may extend the loan term or repayment term. This means you may end up paying more interest over the life of the loan.

3. Submit your completed form: You can mail it to your servicer’s address or upload it to your servicer’s online account if available.

If you don’t know your loan servicer, check the Federal Student Aid website, StudentAid.gov. This site will provide your loan balance, loan types, and servicer information.

Processing times vary by servicer, and you can submit online at StudentAid.gov or by paper form. Changes to the Standard, Graduated, or Extended repayment plans usually take effect within a few weeks, while income-driven repayment applications can take longer.

Changing your student loan repayment plan can significantly impact your finances. Here’s what you need to know:

• You can apply online at StudentAid.gov or submit a paper form to your loan servicer to change plans.

• Income-driven repayment plans are best if you’re pursuing loan forgiveness.

• The SAVE plan was struck down, and former enrollees are in administrative forbearance, so moving to IBR keeps you earning forgiveness credit.

• Consider your financial goals, budget, and forgiveness eligibility when choosing a plan.

• Policy changes may affect your options, so stay informed.