Walk down the tree. Each answer drops you one step. At the bottom, your path.
Last verified June 17, 2026 · Next review July 1, 2026
PSLF = government, nonprofit, or qualifying healthcare employment + 120 qualifying monthly payments → tax-free loan forgiveness.
Includes Parent PLUS loans you took out for your kid, Parent PLUS loans you've already consolidated, and any loans you've taken on from a parent.
Check on studentaid.gov → "My Aid" → loan details for the disbursement date.
Look at your Standard Plan monthly payment vs. your monthly income. If Standard is comfortably under 10% of your income, you're a "higher earner" case.
If you have private loans, this guide doesn't apply — call your private lender for repayment options.
If you have federal loans but you're not on SAVE, you may still be affected by the broader 2026 IDR changes (PAYE/ICR closing, RAP launching). Read the deadline section of the playbook for context.
Your situation: government, nonprofit, or qualifying healthcare worker pursuing the 10-year forgiveness clock.
IBR vs. RAP for PSLF: RAP also qualifies for PSLF — payments count toward your 120. IBR is still the better default for most: it counts more dependents in its payment formula, and switching from IBR to RAP after July 1, 2028 is permanent (you can't re-enroll in IBR). Start on IBR to keep your options open.
New July 1, 2026: the Department can now disqualify employers with a "substantial illegal purpose." Government agencies, public schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are essentially unaffected — fewer than 10 employers per year are expected to be disqualified. Payments made before any disqualification still count.
⏰ Hard deadline: your Direct Consolidation must be disbursed by June 30, 2026. Not just submitted. Disbursed.
If you miss June 30, 2026: your Parent PLUS loans are stuck on Standard Plan permanently. No income-based options ever. Plan accordingly.
If you have BOTH your own loans AND Parent PLUS: talk to a student loan attorney or nonprofit advisor before consolidating — the order may lock you out of better options on your own loans. TISLA offers free guidance.
Your situation: first federal student loan disbursed before July 1, 2014. No PSLF. No Parent PLUS.
One-way rule: if you start on RAP and later switch to IBR, the months you paid under RAP don't count toward IBR forgiveness — but IBR months do count toward RAP. If the simulator result is close, starting on IBR keeps your options open.
Your situation: post-July 2014 borrower, higher AGI relative to balance. No PSLF. No Parent PLUS.
One-way rule: if you start on RAP and later switch to IBR, the months you paid under RAP don't count toward IBR forgiveness — but IBR months do count toward RAP. For a higher earner this reinforces starting on IBR: you keep every option open.
Your situation: post-July 2014 borrower, lower or moderate AGI. No PSLF. No Parent PLUS.
One-way rule: if you start on RAP and later switch to IBR, the months you paid under RAP don't count toward IBR forgiveness — but IBR months do count toward RAP. The math is closest for this group, so this matters: if it's a coin-flip, starting on IBR keeps the door open both ways.
What's at stake: the wrong choice between IBR and RAP can cost thousands over the life of the loan. The simulator output is the truth — trust it over guidance.