UPDATED FOR THE 2026 RULE CHANGES
Plain-English Guides to US Student Loans
SAVE has ended, RAP has started and borrowing limits have changed. We explain what the new rules mean for your loans, with the math shown and a link to the official source on every page.
Start with your situation
Pick the question closest to yours.
REPAYMENT
Which plan now that SAVE is gone?
RAP, IBR and the Tiered Standard Plan compared side by side, and who each one suits.
FORGIVENESS
Which forgiveness programs are still open?
PSLF, income-driven forgiveness, Teacher Loan Forgiveness and disability discharge in 2026.
DEFAULT
What happens if I stop paying?
The timeline from a missed payment to default, and how to stop it early.
CONSOLIDATION
Can I combine federal and private loans?
What consolidation and refinancing each do, and what you give up.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Does RAP count toward PSLF?
Which plans count, which do not, and how to apply step by step.
CREDIT
How do student loans affect my credit score?
How installment debt is scored and why a payoff can dip your score.
Latest articles
- RAP Payment at 6 Income Levels: Worked Examples ($30,000 to $120,000)
The Repayment Assistance Plan formula, worked through step by step at six incomes, with and without dependents, including the income cliffs between brackets. - The Complete Student Loan Guide for Recent Grads
Last checked: November 2026. This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Confirm details with StudentAid.gov or your loan… Read more: The Complete Student Loan Guide for Recent Grads - Student Loan Consolidation Guide: Federal vs. Private
Last checked: November 2026. This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Confirm details with StudentAid.gov or your loan… Read more: Student Loan Consolidation Guide: Federal vs. Private - How to Pay Off Student Loans Faster: The Definitive Mathematical Guide
Last checked: November 2026. This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Confirm details with StudentAid.gov or your loan… Read more: How to Pay Off Student Loans Faster: The Definitive Mathematical Guide - How Student Loans Affect Your Credit Score: The Definitive FICO Guide
Last checked: November 2026. This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Confirm details with StudentAid.gov or your loan… Read more: How Student Loans Affect Your Credit Score: The Definitive FICO Guide - Navigating Marriage and Student Loans: The Definitive Tax and Repayment Guide
Last checked: November 2026. This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Confirm details with StudentAid.gov or your loan… Read more: Navigating Marriage and Student Loans: The Definitive Tax and Repayment Guide
How we work
Official sources
Rules and dollar figures come from StudentAid.gov, the CFPB and the IRS, and each article links to them.
Math you can check
Payment examples are worked out step by step, so you can repeat them with your own numbers.
Kept current
Every article shows when it was last checked. Outdated pages are rewritten or removed.
We are an independent information site. We are not a lender, a loan servicer or a debt relief company, and we never ask for payment or your FSA ID. Applications for federal repayment plans, consolidation and forgiveness are free at StudentAid.gov. Read more about us and our disclaimer.