Repayment Assistance Plan 2026: Eligibility and Payments
RAP calculates federal student-loan payments from adjusted gross income and dependents, with eligibility determined by loan type and disbursement history.
Timeline
- Before July 1, 2026: Older loans may retain access to RAP and certain other income-driven plans, depending on loan type.
- July 1, 2026: New federal loan disbursements entered the post-change repayment framework.
- No later than July 1, 2028: Federal Student Aid says ICR ends by this date.
The Repayment Assistance Plan, or RAP, is a federal income-driven repayment plan. Federal Student Aid says its monthly payment uses 1 to 10 percent of adjusted gross income divided by 12, with a $50 reduction for each dependent claimed on the borrower’s federal tax return and a $10 monthly minimum. [1]
RAP has a 30-year repayment period under the published comparison. A remaining balance can be discharged after the borrower makes the required full, on-time payments through the applicable period. Forgiveness can have separate tax consequences, and missed or partial payments may affect progress. [1]
Most Direct Loans can qualify, including loans disbursed before or after July 1, 2026. Loans made for parents, including Direct PLUS and FFEL parent loans, are not eligible under the RAP table even when later consolidated. Borrowers should identify the original loan types rather than rely only on a consolidation’s current name. [1]
Borrowers with loans first disbursed before July 1, 2026 may have access to different income-driven plans depending on their history. Federal Student Aid lists IBR and ICR with date and loan-type restrictions, and says ICR ends no later than July 1, 2028. [1]
Defaulted loans are not eligible for an IDR plan while they remain in default. Federal Student Aid describes rehabilitation and certain consolidation routes that may restore eligibility. The correct route depends on the account, collection status and loan type, so a borrower should verify the official dashboard before acting. [1]
Income-driven payments are recertified from financial and household information. A servicer may administer billing and enrollment, while Federal Student Aid remains the federal provider. MOHELA notes that IDR payments can be lower because they are tied to income and family size. [1][2]
Borrowers pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness should keep separate records of qualifying employment and payments. Federal Student Aid says full, on-time IDR payments can count toward PSLF, but RAP enrollment alone does not establish that an employer or every prior month qualifies. [1]