Before you pay $495 for a student loan consult
Paid consults run hundreds of dollars. Raptally does the plan math in your browser first, so you know what to ask.
| Raptally | Paid student loan consult | |
|---|---|---|
| What it gives you | RAP vs IBR vs Standard: payments, total paid, forgiveness, tax, income what-ifs | One-to-one advice from a planner, written plan |
| Price | Free: the full RAP vs IBR vs Standard comparison and every flag, 3 income what-ifs, 5 years of the schedule, 12 loans. Pro: $7 for 7 days, $9/month or $49/year. | Student Loan Planner lists consults from $495 (read 2026-10-29) |
| Where data goes | Stays in your browser | Shared with the advisor |
| Complex cases | Simple model — one weighted rate, no past IDR credit | Yes — joint filing, consolidation, PSLF audits |
Honest take: if you have a large balance, a spouse with loans or a messy payment history, a paid consult can be worth it. Raptally is for the first question everyone has after a SAVE notice: on my numbers, which plan costs least?
Competitor details checked on 2026-10-29 from their public pages: Student Loan Planner — consult pricing, Federal Student Aid — Loan Simulator. Prices change — check their site for the current offer. Product names are trademarks of their owners; we are not affiliated with them.
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.