Quick Answer
To enroll in a federal student loan repayment plan, log into StudentAid.gov with your FSA ID, find the servicer assigned to your loans (MOHELA, Nelnet, Aidvantage, or EdFinancial), use the Loan Simulator to compare monthly payments, and submit the Income Driven Repayment application through the StudentAid.gov website. Your servicer processes the application and switches your account to the new plan within two to four weeks.
For Standard, Graduated, or Extended plans, contact your servicer directly through their secure portal. Every federal repayment change starts at StudentAid.gov or with the servicer; the Department of Education and your school do not process individual repayment elections.
Find your servicer first
The single source of truth for federal loan ownership and servicer assignment is the StudentAid.gov dashboard.
- Go to StudentAid.gov and sign in with your FSA ID.
- Open the My Aid page. Every Direct loan you have ever borrowed appears with its current balance, interest rate, and servicer name.
- Note the servicer; you will create a separate online account on their portal for monthly billing.
Federal servicers can change. If your account is reassigned, both the old and new servicer notify you by mail and email, and StudentAid.gov updates the dashboard the same day.
The available federal repayment plans
| Plan | How payment is set | Term | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Fixed amount that pays the loan in full in 10 years | 10 years | Lowest total interest paid; stable income |
| Graduated | Starts low, rises every 2 years | 10 years | Early career borrowers expecting income growth |
| Extended | Fixed or graduated, lower monthly amount | Up to 25 years | Borrowers with more than 30,000 dollars in Direct loans |
| Income Driven (SAVE, PAYE, IBR, ICR; availability varies) | Percentage of discretionary income | 20 to 25 years, forgiveness at end | Lower income, public service, family changes |
Income Driven plan availability can shift with new regulations; the StudentAid.gov Loan Simulator always shows the plans currently open to you.
Use the Loan Simulator before you choose
The Loan Simulator pulls your actual loans, current rates, and tax data (if you connect your account) to show real monthly payments and total interest under every plan. Run the simulation, pick the plan that fits your budget, and the tool sends you straight into the enrollment application.
How to apply for Income Driven Repayment
- From the Loan Simulator results or the IDR menu, click Apply Now.
- Sign in with your FSA ID. Most fields prefill from your dashboard.
- Choose whether you want the lowest payment available or a specific plan.
- Authorize the IRS data retrieval, which pulls your most recent tax return automatically. This is the simplest way to certify income.
- Submit the application. The system forwards it to your servicer.
- Keep paying your current bill until the servicer confirms the new plan in writing. Missing a payment while waiting can damage your credit.
Processing usually takes two to four weeks. The same single application covers all current IDR plans; you do not file separate paperwork for SAVE, IBR, ICR, and PAYE.
How to switch to Standard, Graduated, or Extended
These plans do not need income certification. Call your servicer or log into their portal, open Repayment Plan options, choose the plan, and confirm. The switch takes effect on the next bill cycle.
Recertifying every year
IDR plans require you to recertify income and family size annually. Your servicer sends a reminder 90 days before the deadline. Recertify on time at StudentAid.gov; missing the deadline reverts your loans to a Standard 10 year payment and capitalizes any unpaid interest, both of which raise your monthly bill.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness alongside enrollment
If you work full time for a government or qualifying nonprofit employer, sign up for an IDR plan and submit the PSLF Employer Certification form annually. Each on time IDR payment while you are PSLF eligible counts toward the 120 payments needed for forgiveness.
FAQs
Do I need to contact my college to start repayment?
No. Your school confirmed enrollment but does not run repayment. Use StudentAid.gov and your servicer.
When does my grace period end?
Most federal student loans (Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized) have a six month grace period after you drop below half time enrollment or graduate. First payment is due about six months after your last day of school.
Can I change my repayment plan later?
Yes. You can switch plans any time, free of charge, by submitting a new application or contacting your servicer.
What happens if I do not pick a plan?
You are automatically placed on the Standard 10 year plan, which has the highest monthly payment of all the options.
The takeaway
Find your servicer on StudentAid.gov, run the Loan Simulator, and apply for IDR online or call your servicer for Standard, Graduated, or Extended. One application, one website, and a written confirmation from the servicer turn on your new payment schedule, often within a month.
