Loans & Debt

Student Loan Repayment Calculator - Loan Payoff & Forgiveness

Calculate student loan payments, payoff timelines, and potential savings. Compare standard repayment vs income-driven plans (IDR, PAYE, IBR). See how extra payments reduce interest and save money on federal and private student loans.

Loan Details
$35,000

Average student debt: $37,500

5.50%

Federal: 4.5-8% • Private: 3-14% (depends on credit)

10 years

Standard federal term: 10 years

$0

Add extra to save money

Income-Driven Repayment
$50,000
1

Estimated IDR Payment (PAYE)

$292/mo

Based on 10% of discretionary income

Potential Forgiveness$0

After 20 years of qualifying payments

Monthly Payment

$380

Total Interest

$10581

Payoff Time

10 years

Loan Balance Over Time
Payment Breakdown

Principal

$35,000

Total Interest

$10,581.037

Total Paid

$45,581.037

Strategies to Pay Off Student Loans Faster

Make Biweekly Payments

Pay half your monthly payment every two weeks instead of once monthly. You'll make 13 full payments per year instead of 12.

Apply Windfalls to Principal

Tax refunds, bonuses, and gifts should go straight to your highest-rate loan principal.

Refinance When Rates Drop

If you have good credit and stable income, refinancing can lower your rate. Warning: You'll lose federal benefits.

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Understanding the Concept

Student loan repayment calculators help you understand monthly payments, total interest costs, and payoff timelines. Income-driven repayment plans base payments on income and family size, with potential loan forgiveness after 20-25 years.

Tips to Optimize

  • Making extra payments saves thousands in interest - apply extra to highest rate loans first
  • Income-driven plans lower monthly payments but increase total interest paid
  • Federal loan forgiveness under IDR is taxable (though temporarily waived through 2025)
  • Refinancing federal loans to private means losing federal protections and forgiveness options
  • Pay more than the minimum whenever possible to reduce loan term significantly