Inventory All Loans
30-60 minutesLog in to StudentAid.gov and each servicer portal to list all federal and private loans, balances, interest rates, and servicers.
Field context
This workflow is part of 2 niche fields
Comprehensive student loan management guide for choosing repayment plans, refinancing options, forgiveness programs, and strategies to pay off debt faster.
Log in to StudentAid.gov and each servicer portal to list all federal and private loans, balances, interest rates, and servicers.
Compare Standard, Graduated, Extended, and Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans based on income and career trajectory.
Determine whether refinancing federal loans to private lenders makes sense based on credit score, income stability, and forgiveness eligibility.
Apply extra payments strategically to highest-interest loans first and explore employer repayment assistance programs.
Submit PSLF employment certification annually, monitor qualifying payment counts, and stay current on program rule changes.
Summarize total debt, weighted average rate, and monthly minimum payments. · Compare monthly payments and total interest under each repayment plan. · Show total cost of refinancing including lost federal benefits. · Project interest savings from targeted extra payments. · Track remaining payments toward PSLF or IDR forgiveness milestones.
Ensure chosen payment fits your monthly budget without sacrificing essentials.
Model private refinance rates and terms vs current federal loans.
Calculate payoff timeline with extra monthly or lump-sum payments.
Overview of major federal student loan repayment options.
| Plan | Payment Amount | Term | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Fixed (10-year) | 10 years | Stable income, minimize total interest |
| Graduated | Starts low, increases | 10 years | Rising income expected |
| Extended | Fixed or graduated | 25 years | Need lower monthly payment |
| SAVE/IBR | 10-20% discretionary income | 20-25 years | Public sector, lower income |
| PSLF track | IDR plan required | 10 years (120 payments) | Government/nonprofit workers |
Federal loans offer a 6-month grace period after graduation, but missing payments damages credit and can trigger wage garnishment after default.
Many employers now offer $100-$500/month in student loan repayment assistance — ask HR during onboarding or open enrollment.
Income-driven plans require annual recertification. Missing the deadline can spike payments to the Standard plan amount.
Forgiven balances under IDR (except PSLF) may be taxable as income in the year forgiven — plan for potential tax liability.