SAVE Plan Ending — Standard Repayment Estimator
Total paid over 10 years: $0 (interest: $0)
SAVE's interest-free forbearance was scheduled to end by September 30, 2026, and servicers have been sending 90-day notices since July 1 — each borrower's own window closes 90 days after their notice, so timing varies. If you don't pick a plan before yours closes, you're auto-enrolled here (or in Tiered Standard). Around half of SAVE borrowers had a $0 payment; this fixed 10-year schedule doesn't consider income at all.
Before assuming this is your only option: income-driven plans like IBR or the newer RAP plan may produce a lower payment if your income is limited relative to your balance. Compare at studentaid.gov before choosing.
Estimate only — your servicer's exact bill may differ slightly due to daily interest accrual and rounding. Not financial advice; for your specific situation, consult your loan servicer or a qualified financial advisor.
The SAVE plan's interest-free forbearance was scheduled to end by September 30, 2026, and loan servicers have been sending 90-day notices (since July 1) requiring borrowers to pick a new plan or be auto-enrolled in Standard Repayment — a 10-year fixed schedule that can jump from $0/month to hundreds of dollars. Enter your balance and rate to estimate that new payment, plus a reminder that income-driven plans like IBR or RAP may be lower.
How it works
- Enter your federal student loan balance and interest rate
- See your estimated Standard Repayment (10-year fixed) monthly payment, using the same amortization formula studentaid.gov uses
- Check the note on income-driven alternatives (IBR, RAP) before assuming Standard Repayment is your only option
Frequently asked questions
When exactly does SAVE end?
The interest-free forbearance was scheduled to end by September 30, 2026. Loan servicers began sending 90-day notices starting July 1, 2026, and most affected borrowers are now back in active repayment, with first payments generally due in October or November. Borrowers who haven't chosen a plan when their own notice window closes are auto-enrolled in Standard Repayment (or Tiered Standard, for newer or consolidated loans) when their own notice window closes, so the exact switch date varies by borrower rather than happening for everyone on one fixed day.
Is Standard Repayment always the most expensive option?
No. If your income is limited relative to your balance, income-driven plans like IBR or the newer RAP plan can produce a lower monthly payment. This calculator only estimates the Standard Repayment figure — compare it against income-driven options at studentaid.gov before choosing.
Will this match my actual bill exactly?
It's a close estimate using the standard federal amortization formula. Your servicer's exact figure can differ slightly due to daily interest accrual, rounding, and your specific loan type.
Why did around half of SAVE borrowers have a $0 payment?
SAVE calculated payments based on discretionary income with a generous income exemption, which zeroed out payments for many lower-income borrowers. Standard Repayment doesn't consider income at all — it's a fixed 10-year amortization based purely on balance and rate, which is why the jump can be so large.
Related tools
From the blog
Update history
- 2026-10-03 Updated wording now that the September 30, 2026 SAVE forbearance end date has passed: notices have been going out since July 1, each borrower's 90-day window varies, and borrowers who haven't chosen a plan are auto-enrolled in Standard or Tiered Standard.
- 2026-09-27 Launched: estimates the new Standard Repayment (10-year fixed) monthly payment SAVE plan borrowers may be auto-enrolled into after the SAVE forbearance ends (by Sept 30, 2026) and their 90-day switch-plan notice window closes — notes that income-driven plans like IBR or RAP may be lower and links to related student loan cubes.