The Standard 10-year payment does not move with your income and RAP does. On a $60,000 balance at 6.5% Standard is $681 a month at every income level, while RAP runs from $100 to $750. They cross between $85,000 and $100,000.
All figures on this page computed on September 4, 2026 with the parity verified Finology Software engine (engine date 2026-09-04). Estimates for planning only, not advice.
How does RAP compare to the Standard plan at different incomes?
Standard stays flat because it is set by balance and rate alone. RAP tracks income, so it is dramatically cheaper for lower earners and more expensive for higher earners.
| Annual income (AGI) | Standard monthly | RAP monthly | Standard lifetime cost | RAP lifetime cost | Forgiven under RAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $681 | $100 | $81,755 | $44,161 | $41,822 |
| $50,000 | $681 | $167 | $81,755 | $69,161 | $41,823 |
| $60,000 | $681 | $250 | $81,755 | $99,196 | $41,800 |
| $70,000 | $681 | $350 | $81,755 | $131,378 | $24,443 |
| $85,000 | $681 | $567 | $81,755 | $89,118 | nothing, loan repaid |
| $100,000 | $681 | $750 | $81,755 | $78,706 | nothing, loan repaid |
Which plan costs less over the life of the loan?
Standard, usually. It retires the balance in 120 months with nothing forgiven and therefore no tax, totalling $81,755. RAP at $60,000 of income totals $99,196, and that includes $9,196 of tax on the $41,800 forgiven at month 360.
So when is RAP the better choice?
When the Standard payment is not affordable. At $40,000 of income Standard asks $681 a month against $100 under RAP. Paying more over 30 years can still be the right decision if the alternative is missing payments on a plan you cannot sustain.
Run your own numbers
The calculator below uses the same engine as the table above and compares Standard, RAP and IBR side by side.
Frequently asked questions about RAP and the Standard plan
Is RAP cheaper than the Standard plan?
Below about $85,000 of income, yes, and by a wide margin. On a $60,000 balance at 6.5% the Standard payment is $681 every month no matter what you earn, while RAP is $100 at $40,000 of income and $250 at $60,000. RAP overtakes Standard between $85,000 and $100,000 of income.
Does the Standard payment change with my income?
No. The Standard 10-year payment is set by your balance and interest rate alone, so it stays at $681 across every income in the table above. That is the core difference between the two plans.
Which plan costs less in total?
Standard, in most cases, because it clears the loan in 120 months with no forgiveness and therefore no tax. Standard totals $81,755 on this balance. RAP totals $99,196 at $60,000 of income, and that figure includes the tax on the forgiven balance.
Why would anyone choose RAP if Standard costs less overall?
Because affordability now can matter more than lifetime cost. At $40,000 of income the Standard payment is $681 against $100 under RAP, a difference of $581 a month, and RAP forgives $41,822 at month 360.
Does the Standard plan count for PSLF?
Yes. The Standard 10-year plan is a qualifying repayment plan for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, though borrowers pursuing forgiveness usually pay more than they need to on it.
Are these the same numbers a financial advisor would use?
Yes. Every figure on this page comes from the same engine that serves advisors inside Finology Software, and each plan row is checked against the parity oracle before it is published.