Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

Get temporary relief. Reduce your payment. Regain control.

If your federal student loan payments are too high right now, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) can help you stay current by lowering your monthly payment based on your income and family size — sometimes even down to $10.

It’s designed for borrowers experiencing financial hardship, giving you the breathing room you need to recover, stay current, and avoid default.

IDR

REHAB

RAP

💡 Reminder: Enter amounts without commas (type 15000 instead of 15,000).

💡 What Is RAP?

The Repayment Assistance Plan offers short-term, income-based relief for federal student loan borrowers who can’t afford their current payments but want to remain in good standing.

RAP acts as a bridge between hardship and stability — helping you make reduced payments while preparing to transition into a longer-term solution such as Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) or Loan Rehabilitation.

💰 How Your Payment Is Calculated

Your RAP payment is based on your income and family size, using a sliding scale (1%–10% of your AGI) and factoring in dependents. It also accounts for the applicable federal poverty guideline (which varies for Alaska and Hawaii).

Your payment takes into account:

Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
Your family size
The applicable federal poverty guideline for your state

The formula:

Monthly RAP payment = (1-10% of AGI ÷ 12) – ($50 × dependents)
(minimum payment is $10)

If your income is very low or your calculation results in a negative number, your RAP payment will be $0/month.

Our RAP Calculator uses the latest 2025 HHS poverty guidelines to estimate your affordable payment based on your income, location, and family size.

✅ How to Qualify

To qualify for U.S. RAP assistance:

You must have federal student loans in good standing (not in default).
Show financial hardship — such as loss of income, reduced hours, or unexpected expenses.
Provide income and family information (AGI, family size, location).
Agree to make the reduced payments calculated through RAP.

If your financial situation improves, you can transition into an IDR plan to maintain long-term affordability.

⚙️ How the Process Works

Estimate your payment using the RAP Calculator below.
Submit your request to your loan servicer or through your online account.
Provide income documentation if requested (e.g., recent pay stubs or tax return).
Make your reduced payments while approved for RAP.
Re-evaluate or renew if you continue to experience financial hardship.

📈 Why It Matters

RAP helps you:

Avoid delinquency or default
Stop wage garnishment or tax refund offsets
Protect your credit score
Stay eligible for IDR and forgiveness programs once your finances stabilize