What is the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)?

RAP is a new income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans, created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It takes effect July 1, 2026 and becomes the main income-driven option for new federal Direct Loans. Your payment is a percentage of your adjusted gross income, reduced by $50 per dependent, with a $10 monthly minimum.

How is a RAP payment calculated?

RAP charges a percentage of your full adjusted gross income — roughly 1% for every $10,000 of income, rising in steps and capped at 10%. That base amount is divided by 12, then reduced by $50 for each dependent. If the result is below $10, you pay the $10 monthly minimum. Married borrowers filing jointly use combined AGI.

When does RAP take effect and who does it affect?

RAP takes effect July 1, 2026. New federal Direct Loans borrowed on or after that date can use only RAP among income-driven plans. Existing borrowers will need to move off SAVE, PAYE, and ICR — being phased out by 2028 — and choose between RAP and IBR. If you do not choose, a plan may be selected for you.

Is RAP better than the SAVE or IBR plan?

It depends on your income and family size. RAP removes negative amortization and guarantees some principal reduction, which can help. But it uses your full AGI rather than discretionary income, has no payment cap, and forgives only after 30 years — longer than some older plans. Lower earners may pay less; higher earners often pay more. Compare your specific numbers.

Does RAP qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

RAP is expected to be a qualifying repayment plan for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, meaning on-time RAP payments would count toward the 120 payments needed. Confirm current rules with your loan servicer, since program details are still being implemented. This calculator is an estimate, not financial or legal advice.

New

RAP Student Loan Calculator 2026 — Estimate Your Repayment Assistance Plan Payment

The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is the new income-driven repayment plan created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Estimate your monthly RAP payment from your income and dependents, and see how it compares to the Standard 10-year plan.

Your Estimated RAP Monthly Payment

$329

Inputs

Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)

Line 11 of your Form 1040 — married filing jointly uses combined AGI

$0$400,000

Number of Dependents

Each dependent claimed on your tax return cuts the payment by $50/mo

010

Total Student Loan Balance

Used to compare RAP against the Standard 10-year plan

$1,000$500,000

Average Loan Interest Rate (%)

Your weighted-average federal loan rate

0%12%

Your Estimated RAP Monthly Payment

$329

Your RAP Income Rate

7.00%

RAP Base Amount (Before Dependents)

$4,550

Monthly Difference — Standard minus RAP

$125

RAP — Total Paid Per Year

$3,950

RAP Payment as a Share of Monthly Income

6.08%

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Coach Insight

RAP launches July 1, 2026 and becomes the only income-driven plan for new federal loans borrowed after that date. The SAVE plan is ending, and PAYE and ICR are being phased out by 2028 — tens of millions of borrowers will have to choose between RAP and IBR. RAP works differently from the plans it replaces: instead of discretionary income, it charges a flat percentage of your full adjusted gross income, from 1% up to 10%, minus $50 per dependent, with a $10 monthly minimum. It has no payment cap, so payments climb steadily as income rises. Knowing your number before the deadline is the difference between a deliberate choice and a default one.