RAP or IBR: which one costs you less?
Monthly payment, total paid, years and forgiveness on RAP, IBR and Standard — from your loan list and income.
The July 2026 rules
The Repayment Assistance Plan charges 1% to 10% of AGI depending on income, minus $50 a month per dependent, with a $10 minimum; unpaid interest is waived and up to $50 of principal a month is matched; forgiveness after 30 years (20 U.S.C. 1087e(q)). IBR stays open to existing borrowers: 10% or 15% of income above 150% of the poverty line, capped at the Standard payment (20 U.S.C. 1098e). See studentaid.gov for the official plan list.
Worked example
The sample is a single borrower with a $55,000 AGI, no dependents and $37,500 of Direct loans from 2016–2019 (plus a $4,000 private loan, which no federal plan covers). RAP starts at $229.17 a month, IBR at $258.83 and the 10-year Standard plan at $402.34. With 3% raises, Standard costs least in total ($48,281), RAP the most ($54,607) — the lowest payment isn't the cheapest plan.
Your loans stay on your computer
Raptally reads your file with JavaScript in this browser tab. Nothing is uploaded, and the rows are gone when you close the tab.
How it works
- Get your loan list from studentaid.gov (My Aid → Loans) or your servicer and drop it here, or copy it into the template, or try the sample.
- Enter your AGI, filing status and dependents (and PSLF if you work in public service).
- Compare the plans: monthly payment, total paid, forgiveness and tax — then choose on studentaid.gov before your notice's deadline.
FAQ
Is my data uploaded?
No. Your files are read by JavaScript in your browser tab and never sent to us or anyone else. Loans aren't stored, so closing the tab clears them. Settings can be saved in this browser if you ask.
What does Raptally do?
It reads your federal loan list, applies the July 2026 repayment rules — the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), the 10-year Standard plan and the new Tiered Standard plan — and simulates each one month by month with your income, so you see the payment, total paid, forgiveness and the tax on forgiveness, and which plan costs least.
How is the RAP payment worked out?
1% of AGI from $10,000 to $20,000, rising 1 point per $10,000 to 10% above $100,000 ($120 a year at $10,000 or less), divided by 12, minus $50 per dependent, never below $10. If a payment doesn't cover the month's interest, the rest is waived; if it pays down less than $50 of principal, the government adds the difference up to $50. Forgiveness after 360 qualifying payments (20 U.S.C. 1087e(q)).
And IBR?
15% of AGI above 150% of the poverty line for your family size (10% if your first loan was on or after July 1, 2014), capped at the 10-year Standard payment, with forgiveness after 25 years (20 for new borrowers). IBR is closed to anyone who takes a new loan on or after July 1, 2026 (20 U.S.C. 1098e).
I'm on SAVE. What happens if I do nothing?
SAVE ended after the court ruling. Servicers are sending notices with 90 days to pick a plan and a 30-day final reminder; if you don't choose, you are placed in a plan for you — check your notice. Raptally helps you choose; the choice itself is made on studentaid.gov.
Is forgiveness taxed?
IDR forgiveness after 20–30 years counts as federal income again from 2026 (the ARPA exclusion ended after 2025); Raptally adds an estimate at your tax rate. PSLF forgiveness is tax-free.
What's free?
Importing any number of loans, the full plan comparison with the lowest total cost, every flag, 3 income what-ifs, 5 years of the RAP schedule and 12 loans on screen and in print (with a footer). Pro shows and prints everything and adds the Excel and CSV exports.
What isn't covered?
ICR and PAYE (closing by July 1, 2028), Graduated and Extended plans, the IBR time already credited on your account, recertification gaps, state taxes, private loan refinancing and Parent PLUS double-consolidation. It uses your current balance and one weighted rate. Check with the Loan Simulator on studentaid.gov.
Is this financial advice?
No. Raptally applies the rules it describes to the numbers you provide. It is an estimate to plan with, not affiliated with the Department of Education or any servicer.