Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans
| Plan | Term | Payment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 10 years | Fixed | Lowest total cost |
| Graduated | 10 years | Increases every 2 years | Expect income growth |
| Extended | Up to 25 years | Fixed or graduated | Balances over $30K |
| SAVE / IDR | 20-25 years | 10-20% of discretionary income | Low income-to-debt ratio |
| PSLF Track | 10 years | IDR payments | Public sector workers |
The Cost of Stretching Payments
Extending your repayment term lowers monthly pressure but typically increases total interest significantly. If cash flow allows, keeping a shorter term is usually smarter; if not, adding extra monthly payments helps balance affordability with total cost.