Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

How to Apply

The quickest and easiest way to submit your request for RAP is online. You will need your FSA ID and password and to authorize the release of tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) showing your income and number of dependents or be able to provide other documentation of your income (and your spouse’s income, if applicable) and number of dependents.

Beginning 7/1/26, you can apply for RAP online at StudentAid.gov

Eligibility

RAP is available for Direct Loan borrowers only, and eligible loan types include: Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized, Direct PLUS for graduate or professional students, and Direct Consolidation loans that do not include a Parent PLUS loan. Direct Consolidations that have an underlying Parent PLUS loan cannot be repaid under RAP.

Monthly Payment Calculation

Your required monthly payment amount under the Repayment Assistance Plan is a percentage of your annual income, most commonly known as your adjusted gross income (AGI), divided by 12, to determine the monthly payment amount. Your monthly payment amount is then reduced by $50 for each dependent you claim on your federal tax return; however, your monthly payment may not be less than $10 a month. The percentage used varies depending on your AGI (see the “Repayment Assistant Plan base payment percentage” table).

If you’re married and file a joint federal income tax return, your monthly payment is based on the combined income of you and your spouse. However, your monthly payment will be reduced if your spouse also has federal student loans.

If you’re married and file a separate tax return from your spouse, only your income and the dependents you claim on your tax return will be used to determine your monthly payment amount.

Repayment Assistance Plan Base Payment Percentage

Total Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)	Base Payment*
Not more than $10,000	$120
More than $10,000 and not more than $20,000	1% of your AGI
More than $20,000 and not more than $30,000	2% of your AGI
More than $30,000 and not more than $40,000	3% of your AGI
More than $40,000 and not more than $50,000	4% of your AGI
More than $50,000 and not more than $60,000	5% of your AGI
More than $60,000 and not more than $70,000	6% of your AGI
More than $70,000 and not more than $80,000	7% of your AGI
More than $80,000 and not more than $90,000	8% of your AGI
More than $90,000 and not more than $100,000	9% of your AGI
More than $100,000	10% of your AGI

*The base payment is a percentage of your AGI that is used to determine what would be paid over 12 months without accounting for any reductions for your dependents. It is not the actual monthly payment amount that you’re required to pay each month. The “Monthly Payment Amount Based on Your AGI Range” table includes the range of monthly payment amounts derived from the base payment percentages.

Loan Forgiveness

Under RAP, your remaining balance will be forgiven after 30 years or 360 months of qualifying payments.

You may be eligible for loan forgiveness after 10 years if you are seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Learn More About PSLF

Interest Subsidy

If the monthly payment on RAP is less than the monthly interest accrual, the interest unpaid after making the monthly payment for that month will be subsidized.

Matching Principal Payment

If the full and on-time payment does not reduce the principal balance by at least $50, then the Secretary of Education will make a matching principal payment to ensure that the borrower’s principal is always reduced by at least the total amount paid (not to exceed $50).

Payment Estimate

Interested in what your payment amount would be on RAP? Use the Loan Simulator on StudentAid.gov.

Loan Simulator
 

Additional Resources

• Video: How to Create an FSA ID
• Repayment Plan Comparison Chart
• Income-Driven Repayment Plans (StudentAid.gov)
• Income-Driven Repayment Form
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