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Transitioning From the SAVE Repayment Plan

If you’re on the SAVE Repayment Plan and need to switch, this guide helps you understand your options.

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Get guidance on choosing a path that fits your goals—whether forgiveness, paying off your debt, or keeping payments affordable.

Step 1: Understand Your Repayment Options

If you are leaving SAVE, several repayment paths may be available depending on your loan type, eligibility, and goals.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans

Monthly payments are based on your income and family size. Each plan has different eligibility rules, payment formulas, and forgiveness timelines.

  • IBR (Income-Based Repayment)
  • PAYE (Pay As You Earn)*
  • ICR (Income-Contingent Repayment)*
  • RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan) – when available

👉 Tip: Use our repayment calculator or start an IDR application to preview your payment. Estimates are usually based on income from your most recent tax return if you filed within the past two years. You may need to provide proof of income if your information can’t be automatically verified or if your income has decreased. Acceptable documentation may include a copy of your federal tax return, a recent pay stub, or proof of unemployment.

  • IDR plans require annual income recertification. Your servicer typically notifies you 2–3 months before your deadline.
  • If you are married and file jointly, your spouse’s income will be considered in your payment calculator.  Read our latest blog post.
  • *PAYE and ICR will sunset on July 1, 2027. Eligible borrowers may still enroll but should plan for a future transition. If you are eligible for both PAYE and IBR, we recommend IBR to avoid switching plan by 2027.
  • Borrowers with Parent PLUS loans who are on SAVE may enroll in ICR or IBR. The general rule is that you must first switch to ICR and make at least one qualifying payment before transitioning to IBR.
  • RAP is expected to be the primary IDR option for student borrowers who consolidate or take out new federal loans after July 1, 2026. Parent Plus loan borrowers who have Direct Plus loans or consolidate after July 1, 2026, will only be able to enroll in the new Standard repayment plan and cannot pursue forgiveness.

Standard Repayment Plans

If you are not pursuing forgiveness, a standard repayment plan may be an option. Payments are fixed or increase over time, depending on your plan and loan type. Options may include:

  • 10-Year Standard
  • Extended or Graduated
  • New Standard–when available

Important Parent PLUS note

  • If you have Direct Parent PLUS loans or take out additional Parent PLUS loans after July 1, 2026, your only repayment option will be the new Standard Repayment Plan. To retain access to an IDR plan or forgiveness, follow our Parent Plus loan guidance here.

Step 2: Choose a Plan Based on Your Goal

Before switching, clarify your primary goal:

✅ I want loan forgiveness (PSLF or IDR forgiveness)

  • You must enroll in an IDR plan.
  • Choose the plan with the lowest affordable monthly payment while maintaining eligibility for forgiveness.

✅ I want to pay off my loans in full

  • You may choose IDR or Standard Repayment.
  • Select a plan you can afford.
  • You can always make extra payments—regardless of plan—to reduce interest and principal faster.

✅ I expect to carry this debt long-term

  • Choose the plan that best fits your budget.
  • If forgiveness is part of your strategy, you must use an IDR plan.
  • If you expect the debt to remain for life, compare the lowest-cost option across IDR and standard plans.

Special Considerations for Forgiveness

To stay on track:

  • Enroll in the lowest-cost qualifying IDR plan
  • Work full-time for a qualifying public service employer
  • Make 120 qualifying monthly payments

✅ Switching repayment plans does NOT reset your PSLF payment count as long as you remain on a qualifying plan and work for a qualifying employer.

Tip: After switching plans, submit a new PSLF Employment Certification Form after your first 2–3 payments to confirm they qualify.

Learn more about PSLF.

  • IBR, PAYE, ICR: Forgiveness after 20–25 years, depending on the plan
  • RAP: Forgiveness may take up to 30 years

⚠️ Longer repayment timelines can significantly increase the total amount repaid. Understand how switching plans—especially into RAP—affects your long-term costs before enrolling.

Learn more about IDRF.

Step 3: How To Switch Plans

  • IDR plans: Apply online at studentaid.gov/idr/. You may also apply through your servicer or submit a paper IDR application—but online applications are processed faster.
  • Standard plans: Contact your loan servicer directly or submit a paper Standard Repayment Plan paper application.

Step 4: After You Apply

After applying:

  • Watch for written confirmation from your servicer
  • Expect a bill at least 21 days before payment is due
  • Make payments and monitor account activity, especially if enrolled in auto‑debit
  • Check your inbox regularly for important updates and notices

For PSLF borrowers, continue submitting employment certification forms and monitoring your qualifying payment count.

Final Tip

Your repayment plan is a tool—not a permanent decision. If your income, family size, employment, or goals change, revisit your options to make sure your plan still works for you.

If you need help, contact your loan servicer or seek guidance from a trusted student loan advisor.

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