Income-Driven Repayment Plan (IDR)
| Repayment Type | Information | Eligible Loans | Monthly Payments | Quick Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income-Driven Repayment Plan |
An income-driven repayment (IDR) plan bases your monthly student loan payment amount on your income and family size. Most federal student loans are eligible for at least one income-driven repayment plan. |
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans --- Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans --- All PLUS loans made to students --- Some loans are eligible if consolidated. Check Eligibility for more information. |
Generally, your payment amount under an IDR plan is a percentage of your discretionary income. The percentage is different depending on the plan. Your monthly payment amount may increase or decrease if your income or family size changes from year to year. Payments are made for up to 25 years. |
You must have a partial financial hardship. Your monthly payments will be lower than payments under the 10-year standard plan. You'll pay more for your loan over time than you would under the 10-year standard plan. If you have not repaid your loan in full after making the equivalent of 25 years of qualifying monthly payments, any outstanding balance on your loan may be forgiven. You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven. |
