How to apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan
Submit your repayment assistance plan application online at studentaid.gov. Since July 1, 2026, RAP has been open, and it uses the same form as any other income-driven plan.
- July 1, 2026RAP is now open
- Applying is free. Don't pay anyone to apply
- Each year, your payment is figured out again
- $10That's the lowest monthly bill
Your repayment assistance plan application, step by step
Sign in at studentaid.gov with your FSA ID.
Open the application for income-driven repayment. You also use it to apply for income-driven repayment plan options such as IBR.
When the form asks which plan you want, select the Repayment Assistance Plan.
Give permission for the Department of Education to pull your tax data. Your AGI is then entered for you.
Enter how you file your taxes and the number of dependents you claim.
Check it over, then submit. Save the page showing your confirmation.
Who qualifies to apply for RAP?
Qualifying borrowers hold Direct Loans, but not parent PLUS loans. Consolidation loans used to repay parent PLUS loans don't qualify either. Parent PLUS loans can't use RAP, and neither can consolidation loans used to repay them. For any loan first paid out on or after July 1, 2026, all Direct Loans are limited to Tiered Standard or RAP.
What StudentAid.gov asks for on the IDR application
- Your FSA ID plus your password.
- Your most recent federal tax return, or the AGI you take from it.
- Whether you file as single, as married filing jointly, or as married filing separately.
- How many dependents you claim.
If you file married filing jointly, RAP generally uses your combined income. RAP generally reduces that amount if your spouse also has federal loans. If you're married and file separately, RAP counts just your income plus the dependents on your return.
What takes place at your servicer after you apply
The plan change is processed by your servicer, who also updates your payment amount. You'll receive a letter that shows your new monthly payment. The amount you pay gets worked out again each year. Not sure who sends your bill? Find your servicer.
Is switching to RAP right for you?
Jordan, who is single, earns $40,000. He'd pay about $100 each month on RAP. For each dependent, RAP reduces the amount by $50. If you switch back, payments made under RAP don't count toward IBR, ICR or PAYE discharge. Use the RAP calculator to check your own number before you apply.
Guides on related topics
Questions that people ask
Why am I not eligible to use the Repayment Assistance Plan?
Parent PLUS loans can't use RAP, and neither can consolidation loans that repaid them.
Does applying cost anything?
No. Help from servicers is free, and never pay an outside company for help with federal loans.
Does the form for the repayment assistance plan match the one for the income-driven repayment (IDR) request?
That's right. RAP and IBR share the online income-driven repayment application. Inside that application, you select RAP.
Without applying, which repayment plan am I put on?
Your servicer moves you to Standard or the Tiered Standard Plan if your plan ended. It depends on the date your loans were paid out.
Reference: Federal Student Aid, RAP definitions and Federal Student Aid, loan servicers.