finance calculator

Student Loan Calculator

Estimate student loan monthly payments, total interest paid, and payoff timeline based on your balance, rate, and repayment term.

Formula Verified by Dr. Elizabeth Vance, PhD

Quick actions: Save inputs, view saved runs, print, share, or export results

Saved Runs

Inputs

Loan balance$

Interest rate%

Repayment term (years)

Results

Monthly payment

$380

Loan balance$35,000

Total interest$10,581

Total repayment$45,581

Repayment term10 years

Tip

Save this page to compare standard repayment terms, refinance proposals, or standard vs. accelerated repayment timelines.

Formula

Student loan payment

M = P [ r(1 + r)^n ] / [ (1 + r)^n - 1 ]

Student loan repayment uses the same amortizing loan formula as many fixed-payment loans.

Step by step

How the calculation works

1Enter the current student loan balance.
2Set the annual interest rate and repayment term.
3Convert the annual rate into a monthly rate.
4Calculate monthly payment, total repayment, and interest cost.

Example

Example student loan repayment

A $35,000 student loan at 5.5% for 10 years has an estimated monthly payment near $380.

Related guides

Learn more about this calculation

Guide

Student Loan Repayment Plans: 2026 Comparison Guide

Compare fixed-term student loan math with current federal repayment resources, changing 2026 rules, total cost, and forgiveness verification steps.

Guide

Loan Payment Guide: Formula, Interest, and Total Cost

Learn how fixed loan payments are calculated, why term length changes total interest, and how the DTC loan calculator matches amortization math.

Period	Payment	Principal	Interest	Balance
Month 1	$380	$219	$160	$34,781
Month 2	$380	$220	$159	$34,560
Month 3	$380	$221	$158	$34,339
Month 4	$380	$222	$157	$34,116
Month 5	$380	$223	$156	$33,893
Month 6	$380	$225	$155	$33,668
Month 7	$380	$226	$154	$33,443
Month 8	$380	$227	$153	$33,216
Month 9	$380	$228	$152	$32,989
Month 10	$380	$229	$151	$32,760
Month 11	$380	$230	$150	$32,530
Month 12	$380	$231	$149	$32,299
Month 13	$380	$232	$148	$32,068
Month 14	$380	$233	$147	$31,835
Month 15	$380	$234	$146	$31,601
Month 16	$380	$235	$145	$31,366
Month 17	$380	$236	$144	$31,130
Month 18	$380	$237	$143	$30,893
Month 19	$380	$238	$142	$30,654
Month 20	$380	$239	$140	$30,415
Month 21	$380	$240	$139	$30,175
Month 22	$380	$242	$138	$29,933
Month 23	$380	$243	$137	$29,690
Month 24	$380	$244	$136	$29,447
Month 25	$380	$245	$135	$29,202
Month 26	$380	$246	$134	$28,956
Month 27	$380	$247	$133	$28,709
Month 28	$380	$248	$132	$28,460
Month 29	$380	$249	$130	$28,211
Month 30	$380	$251	$129	$27,960
Month 31	$380	$252	$128	$27,709
Month 32	$380	$253	$127	$27,456
Month 33	$380	$254	$126	$27,202
Month 34	$380	$255	$125	$26,947
Month 35	$380	$256	$124	$26,690
Month 36	$380	$258	$122	$26,433
Month 37	$380	$259	$121	$26,174
Month 38	$380	$260	$120	$25,914
Month 39	$380	$261	$119	$25,653
Month 40	$380	$262	$118	$25,391
Month 41	$380	$263	$116	$25,128
Month 42	$380	$265	$115	$24,863
Month 43	$380	$266	$114	$24,597
Month 44	$380	$267	$113	$24,330
Month 45	$380	$268	$112	$24,062
Month 46	$380	$270	$110	$23,792
Month 47	$380	$271	$109	$23,521
Month 48	$380	$272	$108	$23,249
Month 49	$380	$273	$107	$22,976
Month 50	$380	$275	$105	$22,701
Month 51	$380	$276	$104	$22,426
Month 52	$380	$277	$103	$22,148
Month 53	$380	$278	$102	$21,870
Month 54	$380	$280	$100	$21,591
Month 55	$380	$281	$99	$21,310
Month 56	$380	$282	$98	$21,027
Month 57	$380	$283	$96	$20,744
Month 58	$380	$285	$95	$20,459
Month 59	$380	$286	$94	$20,173
Month 60	$380	$287	$92	$19,886
Month 61	$380	$289	$91	$19,597
Month 62	$380	$290	$90	$19,307
Month 63	$380	$291	$88	$19,016
Month 64	$380	$293	$87	$18,723
Month 65	$380	$294	$86	$18,429
Month 66	$380	$295	$84	$18,134
Month 67	$380	$297	$83	$17,837
Month 68	$380	$298	$82	$17,539
Month 69	$380	$299	$80	$17,239
Month 70	$380	$301	$79	$16,939
Month 71	$380	$302	$78	$16,636
Month 72	$380	$304	$76	$16,333
Month 73	$380	$305	$75	$16,028
Month 74	$380	$306	$73	$15,721
Month 75	$380	$308	$72	$15,414
Month 76	$380	$309	$71	$15,104
Month 77	$380	$311	$69	$14,794
Month 78	$380	$312	$68	$14,482
Month 79	$380	$313	$66	$14,168
Month 80	$380	$315	$65	$13,853
Month 81	$380	$316	$63	$13,537
Month 82	$380	$318	$62	$13,219
Month 83	$380	$319	$61	$12,900
Month 84	$380	$321	$59	$12,579
Month 85	$380	$322	$58	$12,257
Month 86	$380	$324	$56	$11,933
Month 87	$380	$325	$55	$11,608
Month 88	$380	$327	$53	$11,282
Month 89	$380	$328	$52	$10,953
Month 90	$380	$330	$50	$10,624
Month 91	$380	$331	$49	$10,293
Month 92	$380	$333	$47	$9,960
Month 93	$380	$334	$46	$9,626
Month 94	$380	$336	$44	$9,290
Month 95	$380	$337	$43	$8,953
Month 96	$380	$339	$41	$8,614
Month 97	$380	$340	$39	$8,274
Month 98	$380	$342	$38	$7,932
Month 99	$380	$343	$36	$7,588
Month 100	$380	$345	$35	$7,243
Month 101	$380	$347	$33	$6,897
Month 102	$380	$348	$32	$6,548
Month 103	$380	$350	$30	$6,199
Month 104	$380	$351	$28	$5,847
Month 105	$380	$353	$27	$5,494
Month 106	$380	$355	$25	$5,139
Month 107	$380	$356	$24	$4,783
Month 108	$380	$358	$22	$4,425
Month 109	$380	$360	$20	$4,066
Month 110	$380	$361	$19	$3,704
Month 111	$380	$363	$17	$3,342
Month 112	$380	$365	$15	$2,977
Month 113	$380	$366	$14	$2,611
Month 114	$380	$368	$12	$2,243
Month 115	$380	$370	$10	$1,873
Month 116	$380	$371	$9	$1,502
Month 117	$380	$373	$7	$1,129
Month 118	$380	$375	$5	$754
Month 119	$380	$376	$3	$378
Month 120	$380	$378	$2	$0

Period

Payment

Principal

Interest

Balance

Month 1

$380

$219

$160

$34,781

Month 2

$380

$220

$159

$34,560

Month 3

$380

$221

$158

$34,339

Month 4

$380

$222

$157

$34,116

Month 5

$380

$223

$156

$33,893

Month 6

$380

$225

$155

$33,668

Month 7

$380

$226

$154

$33,443

Month 8

$380

$227

$153

$33,216

Month 9

$380

$228

$152

$32,989

Month 10

$380

$229

$151

$32,760

Month 11

$380

$230

$150

$32,530

Month 12

$380

$231

$149

$32,299

Month 13

$380

$232

$148

$32,068

Month 14

$380

$233

$147

$31,835

Month 15

$380

$234

$146

$31,601

Month 16

$380

$235

$145

$31,366

Month 17

$380

$236

$144

$31,130

Month 18

$380

$237

$143

$30,893

Month 19

$380

$238

$142

$30,654

Month 20

$380

$239

$140

$30,415

Month 21

$380

$240

$139

$30,175

Month 22

$380

$242

$138

$29,933

Month 23

$380

$243

$137

$29,690

Month 24

$380

$244

$136

$29,447

Month 25

$380

$245

$135

$29,202

Month 26

$380

$246

$134

$28,956

Month 27

$380

$247

$133

$28,709

Month 28

$380

$248

$132

$28,460

Month 29

$380

$249

$130

$28,211

Month 30

$380

$251

$129

$27,960

Month 31

$380

$252

$128

$27,709

Month 32

$380

$253

$127

$27,456

Month 33

$380

$254

$126

$27,202

Month 34

$380

$255

$125

$26,947

Month 35

$380

$256

$124

$26,690

Month 36

$380

$258

$122

$26,433

Month 37

$380

$259

$121

$26,174

Month 38

$380

$260

$120

$25,914

Month 39

$380

$261

$119

$25,653

Month 40

$380

$262

$118

$25,391

Month 41

$380

$263

$116

$25,128

Month 42

$380

$265

$115

$24,863

Month 43

$380

$266

$114

$24,597

Month 44

$380

$267

$113

$24,330

Month 45

$380

$268

$112

$24,062

Month 46

$380

$270

$110

$23,792

Month 47

$380

$271

$109

$23,521

Month 48

$380

$272

$108

$23,249

Month 49

$380

$273

$107

$22,976

Month 50

$380

$275

$105

$22,701

Month 51

$380

$276

$104

$22,426

Month 52

$380

$277

$103

$22,148

Month 53

$380

$278

$102

$21,870

Month 54

$380

$280

$100

$21,591

Month 55

$380

$281

$99

$21,310

Month 56

$380

$282

$98

$21,027

Month 57

$380

$283

$96

$20,744

Month 58

$380

$285

$95

$20,459

Month 59

$380

$286

$94

$20,173

Month 60

$380

$287

$92

$19,886

Month 61

$380

$289

$91

$19,597

Month 62

$380

$290

$90

$19,307

Month 63

$380

$291

$88

$19,016

Month 64

$380

$293

$87

$18,723

Month 65

$380

$294

$86

$18,429

Month 66

$380

$295

$84

$18,134

Month 67

$380

$297

$83

$17,837

Month 68

$380

$298

$82

$17,539

Month 69

$380

$299

$80

$17,239

Month 70

$380

$301

$79

$16,939

Month 71

$380

$302

$78

$16,636

Month 72

$380

$304

$76

$16,333

Month 73

$380

$305

$75

$16,028

Month 74

$380

$306

$73

$15,721

Month 75

$380

$308

$72

$15,414

Month 76

$380

$309

$71

$15,104

Month 77

$380

$311

$69

$14,794

Month 78

$380

$312

$68

$14,482

Month 79

$380

$313

$66

$14,168

Month 80

$380

$315

$65

$13,853

Month 81

$380

$316

$63

$13,537

Month 82

$380

$318

$62

$13,219

Month 83

$380

$319

$61

$12,900

Month 84

$380

$321

$59

$12,579

Month 85

$380

$322

$58

$12,257

Month 86

$380

$324

$56

$11,933

Month 87

$380

$325

$55

$11,608

Month 88

$380

$327

$53

$11,282

Month 89

$380

$328

$52

$10,953

Month 90

$380

$330

$50

$10,624

Month 91

$380

$331

$49

$10,293

Month 92

$380

$333

$47

$9,960

Month 93

$380

$334

$46

$9,626

Month 94

$380

$336

$44

$9,290

Month 95

$380

$337

$43

$8,953

Month 96

$380

$339

$41

$8,614

Month 97

$380

$340

$39

$8,274

Month 98

$380

$342

$38

$7,932

Month 99

$380

$343

$36

$7,588

Month 100

$380

$345

$35

$7,243

Month 101

$380

$347

$33

$6,897

Month 102

$380

$348

$32

$6,548

Month 103

$380

$350

$30

$6,199

Month 104

$380

$351

$28

$5,847

Month 105

$380

$353

$27

$5,494

Month 106

$380

$355

$25

$5,139

Month 107

$380

$356

$24

$4,783

Month 108

$380

$358

$22

$4,425

Month 109

$380

$360

$20

$4,066

Month 110

$380

$361

$19

$3,704

Month 111

$380

$363

$17

$3,342

Month 112

$380

$365

$15

$2,977

Month 113

$380

$366

$14

$2,611

Month 114

$380

$368

$12

$2,243

Month 115

$380

$370

$10

$1,873

Month 116

$380

$371

$1,502

Month 117

$380

$373

$1,129

Month 118

$380

$375

$754

Month 119

$380

$376

$378

Month 120

$380

$378

How to understand and use this calculator

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your loan balance, annual interest rate, and repayment term in years. The calculator applies standard fixed-rate amortization to return your monthly payment, total interest paid over the life of the loan, and total repayment amount.

Worked Example: $35,000 at 5.5% Over 10 Years

Loan balance $35,000, annual interest rate 5.5%, standard 10-year repayment term.

Monthly payment: ≈ $379.84.

Total interest paid over 10 years: ≈ $10,581.04.

Total repaid (principal + interest): ≈ $45,581.04 — meaning interest adds about 30% on top of the original $35,000 borrowed at this rate and term.

Stretching the same loan to a 20-year term would lower the monthly payment but roughly double the total interest paid, which is the core trade-off behind every student loan repayment plan decision.

The Landscape of Student Loan Repayment

Student loan debt is a unique form of consumer debt. Managing it effectively requires understanding the differences between federal and private student loans, and how interest accrues during and after school.

Federal loans are issued by the government and include borrower protections, deferment options, and income-driven repayment plans. Private loans are issued by commercial banks, require credit checks, and lack federal hardship protections.

Most standard student loans default to a 10-year repayment term. This tool calculates the fixed monthly payment and amortization schedule required to pay off your education debt over this or any custom term.

How Student Loan Interest Accrues and Capitalizes

Unlike other consumer loans, student loans often have periods where payments are not required (in-school deferment or grace periods). However, interest may still accrue during these times.

Subsidized Loans: The federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled in school at least half-time and during grace periods.

Unsubsidized Private Loans: Interest accrues immediately upon loan payout. If this accrued interest is not paid before the repayment period begins, it capitalizes (is added to the principal balance), meaning you will pay interest on interest.

Repayment Options: Standard vs. Income-Driven

Federal borrowers have access to several repayment options, which fundamentally change how monthly bills are calculated:

Standard Repayment: A fixed payment calculated to pay off the loan in exactly 10 years using standard amortization math. This minimizes total interest but can result in high monthly bills.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR): Payments calculated as a percentage of your discretionary income (e.g., 5% to 10% under SAVE, IBR, or PAYE plans), with any remaining balance forgiven after 20 to 25 years. IDR plans do not follow standard amortization math, and low payments can lead to negative amortization (balance increasing over time).

Evaluating Student Loan Refinancing

Refinancing involves replacing federal or private student loans with a new private loan at a lower interest rate. While this can reduce monthly payments and lifetime interest, refinancing federal loans into a private loan means permanently forfeiting federal protections, including IDR plans, deferment options, and public service loan forgiveness (PSLF).

Related Calculators

If you are also carrying credit card or other consumer debt, plan a combined strategy with the debt payoff calculator, or model extra payments toward this loan with the payment calculator.

Related concepts

Capitalization

The addition of unpaid accrued interest to the principal balance, increasing future interest costs.

Subsidized Loan

A federal loan program where the government covers interest during study and grace periods.

Hardship Deferment

An authorized temporary suspension of student loan payments due to economic hardship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this calculator model income-driven repayment (IDR)?+

No. This calculator models standard amortizing fixed-rate loans. IDR payments fluctuate annually based on gross adjusted income, family size, and program rules.

What is interest capitalization?+

Interest capitalization is the process where unpaid accrued interest (such as during school deferment) is added to the principal balance, increasing the base on which future interest is calculated.

Can I refinance federal student loans?+

Yes, but doing so converts them into private loans. You will lose access to federal benefits, including income-driven plans, deferment, forbearance, and loan forgiveness programs.

What is the standard repayment term for student loans?+

The standard federal student loan repayment term is 10 years, which minimizes interest compared to extended 20-year or 25-year options.

What is a subsidized student loan?+

A federal subsidized loan is a loan where the government pays the interest while you are in school at least half-time, during the 6-month post-grad grace period, and during authorized deferment.

What is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?+

PSLF is a federal program that forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an IDR plan while working full-time for a qualifying public employer.

Can student loans be discharged in bankruptcy?+

Discharging student loans in bankruptcy is difficult. Borrowers must prove "undue hardship" under the Brunner Test, which requires showing you cannot maintain a minimal standard of living.

What is a student loan servicer?+

A student loan servicer is a private company contracted by the government or bank to manage billing, customer service, and payment processing for your student loans.

What is a grace period?+

A grace period is a set time (usually 6 months) after graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment before you are required to begin making monthly payments.

How can I lower my student loan interest rate?+

You can lower rates by setting up auto-pay (often a 0.25% discount), negotiating with private lenders, or refinancing into a new private loan if market rates are low.

Period	Payment	Principal	Interest	Balance
Month 1	$380	$219	$160	$34,781
Month 2	$380	$220	$159	$34,560
Month 3	$380	$221	$158	$34,339
Month 4	$380	$222	$157	$34,116
Month 5	$380	$223	$156	$33,893
Month 6	$380	$225	$155	$33,668
Month 7	$380	$226	$154	$33,443
Month 8	$380	$227	$153	$33,216
Month 9	$380	$228	$152	$32,989
Month 10	$380	$229	$151	$32,760
Month 11	$380	$230	$150	$32,530
Month 12	$380	$231	$149	$32,299
Month 13	$380	$232	$148	$32,068
Month 14	$380	$233	$147	$31,835
Month 15	$380	$234	$146	$31,601
Month 16	$380	$235	$145	$31,366
Month 17	$380	$236	$144	$31,130
Month 18	$380	$237	$143	$30,893
Month 19	$380	$238	$142	$30,654
Month 20	$380	$239	$140	$30,415
Month 21	$380	$240	$139	$30,175
Month 22	$380	$242	$138	$29,933
Month 23	$380	$243	$137	$29,690
Month 24	$380	$244	$136	$29,447
Month 25	$380	$245	$135	$29,202
Month 26	$380	$246	$134	$28,956
Month 27	$380	$247	$133	$28,709
Month 28	$380	$248	$132	$28,460
Month 29	$380	$249	$130	$28,211
Month 30	$380	$251	$129	$27,960
Month 31	$380	$252	$128	$27,709
Month 32	$380	$253	$127	$27,456
Month 33	$380	$254	$126	$27,202
Month 34	$380	$255	$125	$26,947
Month 35	$380	$256	$124	$26,690
Month 36	$380	$258	$122	$26,433
Month 37	$380	$259	$121	$26,174
Month 38	$380	$260	$120	$25,914
Month 39	$380	$261	$119	$25,653
Month 40	$380	$262	$118	$25,391
Month 41	$380	$263	$116	$25,128
Month 42	$380	$265	$115	$24,863
Month 43	$380	$266	$114	$24,597
Month 44	$380	$267	$113	$24,330
Month 45	$380	$268	$112	$24,062
Month 46	$380	$270	$110	$23,792
Month 47	$380	$271	$109	$23,521
Month 48	$380	$272	$108	$23,249
Month 49	$380	$273	$107	$22,976
Month 50	$380	$275	$105	$22,701
Month 51	$380	$276	$104	$22,426
Month 52	$380	$277	$103	$22,148
Month 53	$380	$278	$102	$21,870
Month 54	$380	$280	$100	$21,591
Month 55	$380	$281	$99	$21,310
Month 56	$380	$282	$98	$21,027
Month 57	$380	$283	$96	$20,744
Month 58	$380	$285	$95	$20,459
Month 59	$380	$286	$94	$20,173
Month 60	$380	$287	$92	$19,886
Month 61	$380	$289	$91	$19,597
Month 62	$380	$290	$90	$19,307
Month 63	$380	$291	$88	$19,016
Month 64	$380	$293	$87	$18,723
Month 65	$380	$294	$86	$18,429
Month 66	$380	$295	$84	$18,134
Month 67	$380	$297	$83	$17,837
Month 68	$380	$298	$82	$17,539
Month 69	$380	$299	$80	$17,239
Month 70	$380	$301	$79	$16,939
Month 71	$380	$302	$78	$16,636
Month 72	$380	$304	$76	$16,333
Month 73	$380	$305	$75	$16,028
Month 74	$380	$306	$73	$15,721
Month 75	$380	$308	$72	$15,414
Month 76	$380	$309	$71	$15,104
Month 77	$380	$311	$69	$14,794
Month 78	$380	$312	$68	$14,482
Month 79	$380	$313	$66	$14,168
Month 80	$380	$315	$65	$13,853
Month 81	$380	$316	$63	$13,537
Month 82	$380	$318	$62	$13,219
Month 83	$380	$319	$61	$12,900
Month 84	$380	$321	$59	$12,579
Month 85	$380	$322	$58	$12,257
Month 86	$380	$324	$56	$11,933
Month 87	$380	$325	$55	$11,608
Month 88	$380	$327	$53	$11,282
Month 89	$380	$328	$52	$10,953
Month 90	$380	$330	$50	$10,624
Month 91	$380	$331	$49	$10,293
Month 92	$380	$333	$47	$9,960
Month 93	$380	$334	$46	$9,626
Month 94	$380	$336	$44	$9,290
Month 95	$380	$337	$43	$8,953
Month 96	$380	$339	$41	$8,614
Month 97	$380	$340	$39	$8,274
Month 98	$380	$342	$38	$7,932
Month 99	$380	$343	$36	$7,588
Month 100	$380	$345	$35	$7,243
Month 101	$380	$347	$33	$6,897
Month 102	$380	$348	$32	$6,548
Month 103	$380	$350	$30	$6,199
Month 104	$380	$351	$28	$5,847
Month 105	$380	$353	$27	$5,494
Month 106	$380	$355	$25	$5,139
Month 107	$380	$356	$24	$4,783
Month 108	$380	$358	$22	$4,425
Month 109	$380	$360	$20	$4,066
Month 110	$380	$361	$19	$3,704
Month 111	$380	$363	$17	$3,342
Month 112	$380	$365	$15	$2,977
Month 113	$380	$366	$14	$2,611
Month 114	$380	$368	$12	$2,243
Month 115	$380	$370	$10	$1,873
Month 116	$380	$371	$9	$1,502
Month 117	$380	$373	$7	$1,129
Month 118	$380	$375	$5	$754
Month 119	$380	$376	$3	$378
Month 120	$380	$378	$2	$0

Period

Payment

Principal

Interest

Balance

Month 1

$380

$219

$160

$34,781

Month 2

$380

$220

$159

$34,560

Month 3

$380

$221

$158

$34,339

Month 4

$380

$222

$157

$34,116

Month 5

$380

$223

$156

$33,893

Month 6

$380

$225

$155

$33,668

Month 7

$380

$226

$154

$33,443

Month 8

$380

$227

$153

$33,216

Month 9

$380

$228

$152

$32,989

Month 10

$380

$229

$151

$32,760

Month 11

$380

$230

$150

$32,530

Month 12

$380

$231

$149

$32,299

Month 13

$380

$232

$148

$32,068

Month 14

$380

$233

$147

$31,835

Month 15

$380

$234

$146

$31,601

Month 16

$380

$235

$145

$31,366

Month 17

$380

$236

$144

$31,130

Month 18

$380

$237

$143

$30,893

Month 19

$380

$238

$142

$30,654

Month 20

$380

$239

$140

$30,415

Month 21

$380

$240

$139

$30,175

Month 22

$380

$242

$138

$29,933

Month 23

$380

$243

$137

$29,690

Month 24

$380

$244

$136

$29,447

Month 25

$380

$245

$135

$29,202

Month 26

$380

$246

$134

$28,956

Month 27

$380

$247

$133

$28,709

Month 28

$380

$248

$132

$28,460

Month 29

$380

$249

$130

$28,211

Month 30

$380

$251

$129

$27,960

Month 31

$380

$252

$128

$27,709

Month 32

$380

$253

$127

$27,456

Month 33

$380

$254

$126

$27,202

Month 34

$380

$255

$125

$26,947

Month 35

$380

$256

$124

$26,690

Month 36

$380

$258

$122

$26,433

Month 37

$380

$259

$121

$26,174

Month 38

$380

$260

$120

$25,914

Month 39

$380

$261

$119

$25,653

Month 40

$380

$262

$118

$25,391

Month 41

$380

$263

$116

$25,128

Month 42

$380

$265

$115

$24,863

Month 43

$380

$266

$114

$24,597

Month 44

$380

$267

$113

$24,330

Month 45

$380

$268

$112

$24,062

Month 46

$380

$270

$110

$23,792

Month 47

$380

$271

$109

$23,521

Month 48

$380

$272

$108

$23,249

Month 49

$380

$273

$107

$22,976

Month 50

$380

$275

$105

$22,701

Month 51

$380

$276

$104

$22,426

Month 52

$380

$277

$103

$22,148

Month 53

$380

$278

$102

$21,870

Month 54

$380

$280

$100

$21,591

Month 55

$380

$281

$99

$21,310

Month 56

$380

$282

$98

$21,027

Month 57

$380

$283

$96

$20,744

Month 58

$380

$285

$95

$20,459

Month 59

$380

$286

$94

$20,173

Month 60

$380

$287

$92

$19,886

Month 61

$380

$289

$91

$19,597

Month 62

$380

$290

$90

$19,307

Month 63

$380

$291

$88

$19,016

Month 64

$380

$293

$87

$18,723

Month 65

$380

$294

$86

$18,429

Month 66

$380

$295

$84

$18,134

Month 67

$380

$297

$83

$17,837

Month 68

$380

$298

$82

$17,539

Month 69

$380

$299

$80

$17,239

Month 70

$380

$301

$79

$16,939

Month 71

$380

$302

$78

$16,636

Month 72

$380

$304

$76

$16,333

Month 73

$380

$305

$75

$16,028

Month 74

$380

$306

$73

$15,721

Month 75

$380

$308

$72

$15,414

Month 76

$380

$309

$71

$15,104

Month 77

$380

$311

$69

$14,794

Month 78

$380

$312

$68

$14,482

Month 79

$380

$313

$66

$14,168

Month 80

$380

$315

$65

$13,853

Month 81

$380

$316

$63

$13,537

Month 82

$380

$318

$62

$13,219

Month 83

$380

$319

$61

$12,900

Month 84

$380

$321

$59

$12,579

Month 85

$380

$322

$58

$12,257

Month 86

$380

$324

$56

$11,933

Month 87

$380

$325

$55

$11,608

Month 88

$380

$327

$53

$11,282

Month 89

$380

$328

$52

$10,953

Month 90

$380

$330

$50

$10,624

Month 91

$380

$331

$49

$10,293

Month 92

$380

$333

$47

$9,960

Month 93

$380

$334

$46

$9,626

Month 94

$380

$336

$44

$9,290

Month 95

$380

$337

$43

$8,953

Month 96

$380

$339

$41

$8,614

Month 97

$380

$340

$39

$8,274

Month 98

$380

$342

$38

$7,932

Month 99

$380

$343

$36

$7,588

Month 100

$380

$345

$35

$7,243

Month 101

$380

$347

$33

$6,897

Month 102

$380

$348

$32

$6,548

Month 103

$380

$350

$30

$6,199

Month 104

$380

$351

$28

$5,847

Month 105

$380

$353

$27

$5,494

Month 106

$380

$355

$25

$5,139

Month 107

$380

$356

$24

$4,783

Month 108

$380

$358

$22

$4,425

Month 109

$380

$360

$20

$4,066

Month 110

$380

$361

$19

$3,704

Month 111

$380

$363

$17

$3,342

Month 112

$380

$365

$15

$2,977

Month 113

$380

$366

$14

$2,611

Month 114

$380

$368

$12

$2,243

Month 115

$380

$370

$10

$1,873

Month 116

$380

$371

$1,502

Month 117

$380

$373

$1,129

Month 118

$380

$375

$754

Month 119

$380

$376

$378

Month 120

$380

$378

How to understand and use this calculator

How to Use This Calculator

Worked Example: $35,000 at 5.5% Over 10 Years

Loan balance $35,000, annual interest rate 5.5%, standard 10-year repayment term.

Monthly payment: ≈ $379.84.

Total interest paid over 10 years: ≈ $10,581.04.

Total repaid (principal + interest): ≈ $45,581.04 — meaning interest adds about 30% on top of the original $35,000 borrowed at this rate and term.

Stretching the same loan to a 20-year term would lower the monthly payment but roughly double the total interest paid, which is the core trade-off behind every student loan repayment plan decision.

The Landscape of Student Loan Repayment

How Student Loan Interest Accrues and Capitalizes

Unlike other consumer loans, student loans often have periods where payments are not required (in-school deferment or grace periods). However, interest may still accrue during these times.

Subsidized Loans: The federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled in school at least half-time and during grace periods.

Repayment Options: Standard vs. Income-Driven

Federal borrowers have access to several repayment options, which fundamentally change how monthly bills are calculated:

Standard Repayment: A fixed payment calculated to pay off the loan in exactly 10 years using standard amortization math. This minimizes total interest but can result in high monthly bills.

Evaluating Student Loan Refinancing

Related Calculators

If you are also carrying credit card or other consumer debt, plan a combined strategy with the debt payoff calculator, or model extra payments toward this loan with the payment calculator.

Related concepts

Capitalization

The addition of unpaid accrued interest to the principal balance, increasing future interest costs.

Subsidized Loan

A federal loan program where the government covers interest during study and grace periods.

Hardship Deferment

An authorized temporary suspension of student loan payments due to economic hardship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this calculator model income-driven repayment (IDR)?+

No. This calculator models standard amortizing fixed-rate loans. IDR payments fluctuate annually based on gross adjusted income, family size, and program rules.

What is interest capitalization?+

Interest capitalization is the process where unpaid accrued interest (such as during school deferment) is added to the principal balance, increasing the base on which future interest is calculated.

Can I refinance federal student loans?+

Yes, but doing so converts them into private loans. You will lose access to federal benefits, including income-driven plans, deferment, forbearance, and loan forgiveness programs.

What is the standard repayment term for student loans?+

The standard federal student loan repayment term is 10 years, which minimizes interest compared to extended 20-year or 25-year options.

What is a subsidized student loan?+

A federal subsidized loan is a loan where the government pays the interest while you are in school at least half-time, during the 6-month post-grad grace period, and during authorized deferment.

What is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?+

Can student loans be discharged in bankruptcy?+

Discharging student loans in bankruptcy is difficult. Borrowers must prove "undue hardship" under the Brunner Test, which requires showing you cannot maintain a minimal standard of living.

What is a student loan servicer?+

A student loan servicer is a private company contracted by the government or bank to manage billing, customer service, and payment processing for your student loans.

What is a grace period?+

A grace period is a set time (usually 6 months) after graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment before you are required to begin making monthly payments.

How can I lower my student loan interest rate?+

You can lower rates by setting up auto-pay (often a 0.25% discount), negotiating with private lenders, or refinancing into a new private loan if market rates are low.

Student Loan Calculator

Inputs

Results

Student loan payment

How the calculation works

Example student loan repayment

Learn more about this calculation

Student Loan Repayment Plans: 2026 Comparison Guide

Loan Payment Guide: Formula, Interest, and Total Cost

Student Loan Calculator

Inputs

Results

Key output metrics

Principal vs interest

Student loan balance timeline

Principal, interest, and balance timeline

How to understand and use this calculator

How to Use This Calculator

Worked Example: $35,000 at 5.5% Over 10 Years

The Landscape of Student Loan Repayment

How Student Loan Interest Accrues and Capitalizes

Repayment Options: Standard vs. Income-Driven

Evaluating Student Loan Refinancing

Related Calculators

Related concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

Student loan payment

How the calculation works

Example student loan repayment

Learn more about this calculation

Student Loan Repayment Plans: 2026 Comparison Guide

Loan Payment Guide: Formula, Interest, and Total Cost

Key output metrics

Principal vs interest

Student loan balance timeline

Principal, interest, and balance timeline

How to understand and use this calculator

How to Use This Calculator

Worked Example: $35,000 at 5.5% Over 10 Years

The Landscape of Student Loan Repayment

How Student Loan Interest Accrues and Capitalizes

Repayment Options: Standard vs. Income-Driven

Evaluating Student Loan Refinancing

Related Calculators

Related concepts

Frequently Asked Questions