Student Loan Payment Calculator
Estimate an income-driven student loan payment, PSLF progress, and how the payment fits with your take-home pay.
Student Loan Payment Calculator
Loan Details
Use federal loans only. Private loans generally do not qualify for federal IDR or PSLF.
Income and Household
Repayment Plan
Extra Payments and PSLF
Planning estimate only. Student loan rules, eligibility, qualifying payment counts, spouse-income treatment, and forgiveness rules can change.
Long-Term Estimate
Assumptions
- Use StudentAid.gov and your servicer for official eligibility, payment, and forgiveness records.
Pay44
Paycheck Calculator US
Plan the Payment Around Your Paycheck
Pay44 shows take-home pay by state and pay period, so you can see whether a student loan payment fits the rest of your monthly budget.
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How the Student Loan Payment Calculator Estimates IDR Payments
This calculator estimates a federal student loan payment using your AGI, family size, poverty-guideline region, and repayment plan assumption. It starts with the 2026 HHS poverty guideline amounts from the Federal Register poverty guideline notice, then applies simplified IBR, PAYE, or ICR formulas.
The result is not your official bill. IDR eligibility, spouse-income rules, Parent PLUS treatment, consolidation history, annual recertification, and enrollment availability can all change the amount your loan servicer calculates.
IDR vs Standard Repayment: What the Results Mean
The standard 10-year payment is an amortized payoff estimate using your loan balance and weighted average interest rate. The IDR payment is based on income, so it can be lower than the standard amount, equal to $0, or capped at the standard payment for some plan assumptions.
Use the take-home pay share to see how the payment fits your monthly cash flow. For more paycheck context, compare this number with your state-specific take-home estimate in Pay44.
PSLF Planning: 120 Qualifying Payments and Employer Assumptions
Federal Student Aid describes PSLF as requiring 120 qualifying monthly payments while you work full time for a qualifying employer. This calculator subtracts the qualifying payments you enter from 120, then projects the remaining balance after those months of estimated IDR payments.
PSLF estimates can differ from official records because qualifying payment counts depend on loan type, repayment plan, repayment status, employment certification, and program rules. Review Federal Student Aid PSLF guidance before treating any forgiveness estimate as a decision point.
Student Loan Payment Calculator Assumptions and Limits
The IBR and PAYE assumptions use income above 150% of the poverty guideline. The ICR option is simplified as 20% of discretionary income above 100% of the poverty guideline. The official ICR formula can also compare against a 12-year fixed payment adjusted by income.
Extra payments reduce projected forgiveness because they pay down the balance faster. If your estimated IDR payment is less than monthly interest, the balance can grow until forgiveness or payoff. Verify official repayment options through StudentAid.gov Loan Simulator and your loan servicer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about student loan payment calculator
How is an income-driven student loan payment calculated?
Most IDR formulas start with AGI, subtract a poverty-guideline allowance based on family size, and apply a plan percentage to the remaining discretionary income. This calculator uses simplified IBR, PAYE, and ICR assumptions for planning.
What income counts for IDR: gross pay, taxable income, or AGI?
IDR estimates usually start with adjusted gross income from your tax return. Your servicer or StudentAid.gov decides the official income figure, especially when spouse income or alternative documentation is involved.
Can my IDR payment be $0?
Yes. If your estimated income is below the plan poverty-guideline allowance, discretionary income is treated as $0, so the required IDR payment can also be $0.
How many payments do I need for PSLF?
Public Service Loan Forgiveness generally requires 120 qualifying monthly payments while you work full time for a qualifying employer. Confirm your count through StudentAid.gov before making job or repayment decisions.
Do PSLF payments have to be consecutive?
No. Qualifying PSLF payments do not have to be consecutive. They still have to meet the rules for eligible loans, repayment plans, repayment status, and employer certification.
Does filing taxes separately lower my student loan payment?
It can for some borrowers, depending on the IDR plan, spouse income, tax filing status, and current program rules. Compare any loan payment savings with the tax cost using a tool such as the Marginal vs Effective Tax Rate Calculator.
Is student loan forgiveness taxable?
PSLF forgiveness is generally not federally taxable. Other IDR forgiveness may have different federal or state tax treatment depending on the year and the law in effect, so check current IRS and state guidance.
Should I use IDR or pay off my student loans faster?
IDR can help with cash flow and may support forgiveness goals. Paying faster can reduce interest. Compare this estimate with your paycheck using the Hourly Paycheck Calculator and your official StudentAid.gov repayment options.