Nelnet payment plan: how to switch and recertify
You apply at studentaid.gov for a different Nelnet payment plan, and Nelnet sets your new bill. Since July 1, 2026, RAP has been available, and each year you recertify your income.
- July 1, 2026RAP became available
- On RAP, that's $50. off a month for each dependent
- RAP bills never go below $10. a month
- July 1, 2028PAYE and ICR end
Change your Nelnet payment plan
As the servicer, Nelnet does the billing for federal loans owned by the Department of Education. The site is nelnet.studentaid.gov.
Use your FSA ID to log in at studentaid.gov.
Go to the income-driven repayment application, then select either RAP or IBR.
Give permission to share your tax data, and your income fills in.
Send it in. Your plan change is processed by Nelnet, and Nelnet sets your new payment.
Sign in to your Nelnet account and look for your new payment amount.
Nelnet repayment plans, RAP included
On March 10, 2026, a court order ended the SAVE Plan. If SAVE with Nelnet was the plan you had, you need a new plan now. Take Maria, for example. Her AGI is $44,000, she files single, and she claims no dependents. RAP takes 4% of that amount, or $1,760 a year, and she'd pay about $147 a month.
| Your AGI | Yearly RAP base payment |
|---|---|
| Not more than $10,000 | $120 a year |
| More than $10,000 and not more than $20,000 | 1% of your AGI |
| More than $20,000 and not more than $30,000 | 2% of your AGI |
| More than $30,000 and not more than $40,000 | 3% of your AGI |
| More than $40,000 and not more than $50,000 | 4% of your AGI |
| More than $50,000 and not more than $60,000 | 5% of your AGI |
| More than $60,000 and not more than $70,000 | 6% of your AGI |
| More than $70,000 and not more than $80,000 | 7% of your AGI |
| More than $80,000 and not more than $90,000 | 8% of your AGI |
| More than $90,000 and not more than $100,000 | 9% of your AGI |
| More than $100,000 | 10% of your AGI |
| Rule | RAP | IBR |
|---|---|---|
| Payment | 1% to 10% of your whole AGI | Income above 150% of the poverty line: 10% or 15% |
| Lowest bill | $10 a month | $0 |
| Capped? | No | Never more than the 10-year Standard payment |
| Forgiveness | After 360 payments (30 years) | After 20 or 25 years |
Your IDR recertification every year
Each year, your payment gets calculated again.
Look for Nelnet's notice telling you your yearly recertification is due.
Get your latest tax return ready, including your AGI, your filing status and the dependents you claim.
Recertify on studentaid.gov using the application for income-driven repayment, and consent to sharing your tax data.
Sign in to your Nelnet account and make sure your updated payment amount is listed.
Nelnet bill pay basics
Auto debit interest rate reduction: 1% (was 0.25%), running from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. With autopay, your payments also stay on time. Servicers help at no cost; don't pay any outside company for federal loan help.
Guides on similar topics
Common questions
How does the Nelnet payment plan work?
Nelnet bills you based on the plan you pick with Federal Student Aid. Under RAP or IBR, your bill is based on your income.
What if my Nelnet payments cost more than I can pay?
Put in an application for RAP or IBR. Your RAP bill stays at $10 a month at the lowest, and it can reach that amount.
Is there a charge from Nelnet for switching plans?
No. Servicers help for free. Don't ever pay an outside company for help with federal loans.
Sources: Nelnet and RAP, Federal Student Aid and loan servicers.