Federal plan comparison · verified September 29, 2026

RAP vs IBR: What's the Difference?

RepayPilot compares the current federal rules, then lets you model supported inputs without declaring one plan universally better.

RepayPilot Answer

RAP bases the annual payment on an AGI band, then subtracts $50 per claimed dependent, with a $10 monthly floor. IBR uses 10% or 15% of income above 150% of the poverty guideline, capped at the estimated 10-year Standard payment; the borrower category determines the rate and forgiveness horizon.

Last verified September 29, 2026 · Current federal rules effective July 1, 2026.

34 CFR § 685.209 — Income-driven repayment plansU.S. Department of Education / Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · Verified 2026-09-29
34 CFR § 685.219 — Public Service Loan Forgiveness ProgramU.S. Department of Education / Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · Verified 2026-09-29

At a glance

Decision factor	RAP	IBR
Payment formula	Annual base payment depends on AGI band; divide by 12 and subtract $50 per tax-return dependent. At least $10 per month except a final payment.	10% for a new borrower or 15% for other borrowers of discretionary income, capped at the estimated 10-year Standard amount.
Income threshold	No separate poverty deduction in the RAP base formula.	AGI above 150% of the applicable poverty guideline for family size.
Borrower / loan eligibility	Direct Loans except Parent PLUS and specified Parent PLUS consolidation loans.	Direct Loans made before July 1, 2026, with additional restrictions for some borrower histories.
Forgiveness horizon	360 qualifying monthly payments over at least 30 years.	240 qualifying payments (20 years) for new borrowers; 300 (25 years) for other borrowers.
PSLF	RAP is a qualifying repayment plan; all PSLF loan, employment, and payment requirements still apply.	IBR is an income-driven qualifying repayment plan; all PSLF loan, employment, and payment requirements still apply.
Important limits	Future balance, principal benefit, unpaid-interest benefit, prior-plan credit, and exact forgiveness date are not projected.	Multiple loan rates, spouse allocations, FFEL details, future balances, and prior qualifying-payment progress are not projected.

Use My Numbers

Enter your own details for side-by-side deterministic estimates. A missing estimate means the supplied facts do not support a responsible calculation.

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Compare RAP and IBR using your numbers

Enter the figures used in the current federal formula. Your information is not saved.

Income and loan details

Annual adjusted gross income (AGI) used for the calculation

Use adjusted gross income from your most recent federal tax return. Joint filers should enter combined AGI unless currently separated or unable to reasonably access spouse income.

Which federal loan type do you have?

This affects whether a plan can be modeled. Parent PLUS and related consolidations are not included in these estimates.

Current eligible loan balance

Enter the eligible Direct Loan balance included in this estimate.

Dependents claimed on your federal tax return

RAP uses dependents claimed on the return, not the broader IBR family-size definition.

IBR family size

Use the current federal IBR family-size rules.

Poverty-guideline location

Eligible balance when you entered IBR

The 10-year Standard payment cap is based on eligible balances and rates when you entered IBR—not necessarily today’s balance.

Average annual interest rate (%)

A single rate is an approximation if your loans have different rates.

Which IBR borrower category applies?

New borrowers use 10% and a 20-year horizon; other borrowers use 15% and a 25-year horizon. If unsure, check your federal loan history.

Have you received a new federal Direct Loan on or after July 1, 2026?

I made 60 or more qualifying REPAYE payments on or after July 1, 2024.

Federal tax filing status

I am currently separated or cannot reasonably access my spouse’s income.

Spouse’s eligible federal loan balance (if filing jointly)

Used only to allocate the joint RAP payment in proportion to each spouse’s eligible loan balances. Leave blank only if the joint-income exception above applies.

This tool gives an estimate, not an official eligibility or payment determination. Confirm all details with your loan servicer.

How to use this comparison

Compare eligibility, your current estimated payment, the plan-specific forgiveness horizon, household treatment, and how the choice may interact with PSLF. A lower payment today is not necessarily a lower long-term cost.

Ask your servicer to confirm which loans are eligible, the official payment amount, your payment-count credit, and whether your employment and payments qualify for PSLF.

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