Student Loan Calculator
Calculate payments, compare loan types, and estimate forgiveness for US federal & private student loans
Loan Type
Loan Details
$35,000
Federal fixed rate for 2025–2026: 6.39%
💡 Smart Insights
Subsidized Advantage
Your subsidized loan saves you $1,118 during the 6-month grace period because the government pays your interest.
💡 This benefit also applies during approved deferment periods.
Federal Forgiveness Eligible
This federal loan qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if you work in government or a qualifying non-profit. Remaining balance forgiven tax-free after 120 qualifying payments.
💡 Check the Forgiveness Estimator tab to see your potential savings.
Loan Breakdown
Principal
$35,000
73.8%
Total Interest
$12,455
26.2%
Total Repayment
$47,455
Remaining Balance Over Time
Monthly Payment
$395.46
6.39% APR · 120 months
Total Repayment
$47,455
$35,000 principal + $12,455 interest
Total Interest
$12,455
73.8% of payments go to principal
Payoff Date
November 2036
10 years, 0 months
Grace Period Cost
$0
Subsidized: government pays interest during grace
How to Use This Student Loan Calculator
Estimate your monthly student loan payment, total interest, and explore repayment strategies in under a minute. This calculator is built specifically for US students and graduates with federal or private student loans.
Select your loan type
Choose from Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Graduate, Parent PLUS, Grad PLUS, or Private. The calculator auto-fills the current 2025–2026 federal interest rate for your selection.
Enter your loan amount
Input the total amount you have borrowed or plan to borrow. Our tooltips show federal annual and aggregate borrowing limits to help you stay within bounds.
Choose a repayment term
Use the preset buttons (10yr Standard through 30yr Extended) or enter a custom term. See how different terms affect your monthly payment and total interest instantly.
Configure grace period and extra payments
Expand Advanced Options to adjust the grace period (default 6 months for federal loans) and add optional extra monthly payments. See exactly how much interest you save by paying more.
Explore results, charts, and insights
Review your monthly payment, total interest, amortization schedule, and smart insights. Use the Cost Comparison and Forgiveness Estimator tabs for deeper analysis.
Federal Student Loan Types Explained
The U.S. Department of Education offers four types of Direct Loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Understanding the differences is essential for minimizing your borrowing costs.
Direct Subsidized Loans
Undergraduate OnlyAvailable to undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. The key advantage: the federal government pays the interest while you're enrolled at least half-time, during the 6-month grace period, and during authorized deferment. This prevents interest from capitalizing and keeps your balance from growing.
6.39% (2025–26)
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
All StudentsAvailable to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students regardless of financial need. Interest begins accruing from the moment the loan is disbursed. If you don't pay the interest while in school, it capitalizes — meaning you'll pay interest on interest for the life of the loan.
6.39% (UG) · 7.94% (Grad)
Parent PLUS Loans
Parents of Dependent UGAvailable to biological or adoptive parents of dependent undergraduate students. A credit check is required, but applicants with 'adverse credit history' can obtain an endorser or document extenuating circumstances. There is no aggregate borrowing limit — parents can borrow up to the school's cost of attendance minus other aid.
8.94% (2025–26)
Graduate PLUS Loans
Graduate & ProfessionalAvailable to graduate and professional students enrolled at least half-time. Credit check required. Covers up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid. Note: starting July 1, 2026, the Graduate PLUS program will be eliminated for new borrowers, replaced by new annual and aggregate caps for graduate Direct Unsubsidized loans.
8.94% (2025–26)
Federal Student Loan Interest Rates (2020–2026)
Federal student loan rates are set annually by Congress based on the 10-year Treasury note yield. Once fixed, your rate stays the same for the life of the loan. Here are the rates for recent academic years.
| Academic Year | Undergrad | Graduate | PLUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–2026 | 6.39% | 7.94% | 8.94% |
| 2024–2025 | 6.53% | 8.08% | 9.08% |
| 2023–2024 | 5.5% | 7.05% | 8.05% |
| 2022–2023 | 4.99% | 6.54% | 7.54% |
| 2021–2022 | 3.73% | 5.28% | 6.28% |
| 2020–2021 | 2.75% | 4.3% | 5.3% |
Source: U.S. Department of Education / StudentAid.gov. Rates are for loans first disbursed during each academic year (July 1 – June 30).
Annual Borrowing Limits
Federal Direct Loans have annual limits based on your year in school and dependency status. These limits include both subsidized and unsubsidized amounts combined.
| Year | Dependent | Independent | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Max Subsidized | Total | Max Subsidized | |
| Freshman (1st year) | $5,500 | $3,500 | $9,500 | $3,500 |
| Sophomore (2nd year) | $6,500 | $4,500 | $10,500 | $4,500 |
| Junior & Beyond | $7,500 | $5,500 | $12,500 | $5,500 |
| Graduate / Professional | $20,500 | $0 | $20,500 | $0 |
Aggregate (Lifetime) Limits
| Category | Total Limit | Max Subsidized |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduate | $31,000 | $23,000 |
| Independent Undergraduate | $57,500 | $23,000 |
| Graduate / Professional | $138,500 | $65,500 |
Source: StudentAid.gov. PLUS loans have no aggregate limit. Graduate PLUS program will be eliminated for new borrowers starting July 1, 2026.
Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans (2026)
The landscape of student loan repayment plans is changing significantly in 2026. The SAVE plan was terminated in March 2026, PAYE and ICR are being phased out, and a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) launches July 1, 2026.
Standard Repayment
Active10yr termFixed monthly payments over 10 years. The default plan for all federal loans.
Eligibility: All federal student loan borrowers
Extended Repayment
Active25yr termFixed or graduated payments over up to 25 years. Lower monthly payment but more total interest.
Eligibility: Borrowers with $30,000+ in outstanding Direct Loans
Graduated Repayment
Active10yr termPayments start low and increase every two years. Total cost is higher than Standard.
Eligibility: All federal student loan borrowers
Income-Based Repayment (IBR)
Phase-Out20yr termPayments capped at 10–15% of discretionary income. Forgiveness after 20 or 25 years.
Eligibility: Borrowers with partial financial hardship
⚠️ Available for existing borrowers. Closing to new borrowers who take loans on/after July 1, 2026.
Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)
Coming July 202630yr termNew plan launching July 2026. Tiered payments (1%–10% of AGI) with a $10/month minimum. Forgiveness after 30 years.
Eligibility: New borrowers and those switching from legacy IDR plans
⚠️ Launches July 1, 2026. Will become the primary IDR option.
Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
Phase-Out20yr termPayments capped at 10% of discretionary income. Forgiveness after 20 years.
Eligibility: New borrowers as of Oct 1, 2007 with loans disbursed on/after Oct 1, 2011
⚠️ Closing to new enrollments July 1, 2026. Eliminated entirely by July 1, 2028.
Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)
Phase-Out25yr termPayments are the lesser of 20% of discretionary income or a fixed 12-year plan adjusted for income.
Eligibility: All Direct Loan borrowers (only IDR option for Parent PLUS after consolidation)
⚠️ Closing to new enrollments July 1, 2026. Eliminated entirely by July 1, 2028.
SAVE Plan
TerminatedFormerly the most generous IDR plan. Terminated following court ruling.
Eligibility: N/A — no longer available
⚠️ Terminated March 10, 2026. Borrowers must switch to another plan.
Federal vs. Private Student Loans
Federal student loans should almost always be your first option due to their borrower protections and fixed rates. Private loans are typically used only after exhausting federal aid, grants, and scholarships.
| Feature | Federal Loans | Private Loans |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Rates | Fixed; set by Congress (6.39%–8.94% for 2025–26) | Fixed or variable; 3%–13%+ based on credit |
| Credit Check | No (except PLUS loans) | Required for all borrowers |
| Cosigner | Not needed (endorser for PLUS if adverse credit) | Often required for students |
| Income-Driven Plans | Yes — Standard, Extended, IBR, RAP (new 2026) | Generally not available |
| Loan Forgiveness | PSLF, Teacher, IDR forgiveness | Not available |
| Grace Period | 6 months after graduation | Varies; often none |
| Deferment/Forbearance | Multiple federal options available | Limited; varies by lender |
| Borrowing Limits | Yes — annual and aggregate caps | Up to cost of attendance (credit-based) |
| Best For | Most students — apply via FAFSA first | Gap funding after exhausting federal aid |
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
Two major federal programs can forgive part or all of your student loan balance. You cannot count the same years of service toward both programs.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Forgiveness: Entire remaining balance (tax-free)
Required: 120 qualifying payments (10 years)
Eligible Loans: Direct Loans only
Employment: Full-time (30+ hrs/week) for:
- U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government
- 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations
- Other qualifying public service non-profits
Repayment: Must be on IDR or Standard plan
Note: Payments do not need to be consecutive
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Forgiveness: Up to $5,000 (most teachers) or $17,500 (STEM/Special Ed)
Required: 5 consecutive years of full-time teaching
Eligible Loans: Direct Sub/Unsub and Stafford Loans (not PLUS)
School: Must be a low-income elementary or secondary school
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required
- Full state teaching certification
- Must be "highly qualified" in subject area
Note: You cannot count the same years for both PSLF and Teacher Forgiveness.
Should You Refinance Your Student Loans?
Refinancing replaces one or more existing loans with a new private loan at a potentially lower rate. But for federal loan borrowers, refinancing is a permanent, irreversible decision with significant trade-offs.
| ✓ Consider Refinancing If... | ✗ Avoid Refinancing If... |
|---|---|
| Strong credit (typically 650+) and stable income | Pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) |
| You don't need federal IDR plans or forgiveness | You rely on or might need income-driven repayment |
| You can secure a significantly lower fixed rate | Your financial situation is unstable |
| You have multiple loans and want one payment | You are still in school (lose grace period) |
| Your loans are already private (nothing to lose) | You have subsidized loans (lose interest benefit) |
⚠️ Warning: Once you refinance federal loans into a private loan, you permanently lose access to all federal benefits: income-driven repayment plans, deferment and forbearance options, and forgiveness programs (PSLF, Teacher, IDR forgiveness). This decision cannot be reversed.
Average Student Loan Debt by Degree (2025)
Student loan debt varies dramatically by degree level and field of study. Professional programs like medicine and dentistry carry the highest balances but also typically offer the highest earning potential.
| Degree Level | Average Debt Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $29,000 – 36,500 | Educationdata.org |
| Master's Degree | $64,000 – 82,000 | Educationdata.org |
| Law School (JD) | $110,000 – 140,000 | ABA / Educationdata.org |
| Medical School (MD) | $190,000 – 220,000 | AAMC |
| Dental School (DDS) | $280,000 – 305,000 | ADEA |
| Other Doctoral | $150,000 – 215,000 | Educationdata.org |
Figures represent 2025 estimates. Actual debt varies by institution, state, and individual borrowing decisions.
Student Loan Glossary
Key terms every student loan borrower should understand.
Capitalization
When unpaid interest is added to your loan's principal balance. This causes you to pay interest on interest, increasing your total cost. Common during grace period for unsubsidized loans.
Grace Period
A period (typically 6 months for federal Direct Loans) after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment before your first payment is due.
Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized
Subsidized loans: government pays interest while you're in school, during grace, and during deferment. Unsubsidized loans: interest accrues from the moment the loan is disbursed.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The required application to access federal student loans, grants, and work-study. Must be completed for each academic year.
Deferment
A temporary pause on loan payments. For subsidized loans, interest does not accrue during deferment. For unsubsidized loans, interest continues to accrue.
Forbearance
A temporary pause or reduction of loan payments during financial hardship. Unlike deferment, interest accrues on all loan types during forbearance.
Consolidation
Combining multiple federal loans into a single Direct Consolidation Loan. The new interest rate is the weighted average of your existing rates, rounded up to the nearest ⅛%. Consolidation is required for FFEL/Perkins loans to qualify for PSLF.
Refinancing
Replacing federal or private loans with a new private loan at a potentially lower interest rate. Warning: refinancing federal loans into private loans permanently removes access to federal protections, IDR plans, and forgiveness programs.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The total estimated cost of attending a school for one year, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, and personal expenses. PLUS loans can cover up to the COA minus other aid received.
Loan Servicer
The company that handles billing and payment processing for your federal student loans. Servicers include MOHELA, Aidvantage, EdFinancial, and Nelnet.
Student Loan Calculator FAQ
Common questions about student loans, repayment, interest rates, forgiveness, and this calculator.
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational planning purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Actual loan terms, interest rates, and repayment amounts will be determined by your lender and the U.S. Department of Education. Federal student loan program rules are subject to change — especially regarding upcoming RAP plan details and Graduate PLUS elimination (effective July 1, 2026). Always verify current terms at StudentAid.gov. For personalized advice, consult with your school's financial aid office or a qualified financial advisor.