← Guides · November 9, 2026
RAP vs the 10-Year Standard Plan: Which Costs Less?
For a $45,000 balance at 6.5% the 10-year standard plan costs about $511 a month and $61,000 in total.
Under RAP with $52,000 in AGI, the payment is 5% of income: about $217 a month at the start. It rises with raises, and the government matches principal up to $50 a month.
The trade-off
- RAP lowers the monthly payment, often by more than half.
- A lower payment can mean a longer payoff and more total interest paid.
- If your income stays low, the remaining balance is forgiven after 30 years.
Run your own income and balance in the calculator to compare totals.