Skip to content
Back to Understand borrowing

Understand borrowing

How to Build a Repayment Plan Before Graduation

Building a repayment plan before you graduate gives you a head start on managing student debt — here is how to calculate payments and pick the right strategy.

Sravani Atluri

Sravani Atluri

Founder, CollegeLens

April 15, 2026Updated August 22, 202610 min read

Updated:

On this page (8 sections)

Most students sign their loan paperwork, file it away, and don't think about repayment until six months after they walk across the stage. By then, the first bill arrives and the numbers feel abstract, or worse, alarming. You can avoid that shock entirely. If you spend an hour or two while you're still in school mapping out your monthly payments and setting a payoff timeline, you'll graduate with a clear picture of what you owe, what you can afford, and how long it will take to be debt-free. This article walks you through every step, with real numbers. The example calculations below use the 6.52% undergraduate rate for loans disbursed July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Know Exactly What You Owe

Before you can plan payments, you need a complete picture of your debt. Log into your Federal Student Aid dashboard and write down every loan: the type, the balance, and the interest rate.

For the 2026-27 year, federal rates are:

  • Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (undergraduate): 6.52%
  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans (graduate): 8.07%
  • Direct PLUS Loans: 9.07%

These are fixed for the life of each loan, so the rate you see today is the rate you'll repay at. If you also have private loans, check your lender's portal for your rate and terms. Private rates in 2025-26 range from roughly 4% to 17% depending on your credit and cosigner situation, according to data compiled by the Education Data Initiative.

The average undergraduate borrower in the class of 2025 leaves school with about $33,500 in federal student loan debt, per the College Board's Trends in Student Aid report. Your number might be higher or lower. What matters is that you know it precisely.

Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized: Why It Matters for Your Plan

Subsidized loans don't accrue interest while you're in school at least half-time or during your six-month grace period. Unsubsidized loans start accruing interest the day funds are disbursed. That means if you borrowed $5,500 in unsubsidized loans as a freshman at 6.52%, you've already accumulated roughly $1,435 in interest by graduation day (four years of accrual). That interest gets capitalized, added to your principal, when repayment begins, so you're paying interest on interest.

Write this number down. It changes your true starting balance.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment

The standard federal repayment plan gives you 10 years (120 monthly payments). You can estimate your payment with a simple formula, or use the Federal Student Aid Loan Simulator.

Here's the math for a $33,500 balance at 6.52% over 10 years:

Monthly payment: approximately $381

Over 120 months, you'd pay a total of about $45,720 — meaning roughly $12,220 goes to interest alone.

If your balance is different, here's a quick reference:

  • $20,000 at 6.52%, 10 years: ~$227/month ($27,276 total, $7,276 in interest)
  • $27,000 at 6.52%, 10 years: ~$307/month ($36,823 total, $9,823 in interest)
  • $40,000 at 6.52%, 10 years: ~$455/month ($54,552 total, $14,552 in interest)

These numbers assume the standard plan. You have other options — income-driven plans, extended repayment, graduated repayment — but the standard plan costs you the least in total interest. Start your planning here, and adjust if your budget demands it.

Set a Payoff Timeline That Fits Your Life

Rankings

Compare private student loan options

Compare College Ave, Earnest, and Sallie Mae — with Sallie's rate matched to this program where available.

  1. Rank #1Editor's Pick

    Undergrad

    College Ave logo

    College Ave

    Best for: Students who want flexible repayment options and no origination fees

    • 0.25% rate reduction with auto-pay
    • Four in-school repayment options
    • No application, origination, or prepayment fees
    • Borrow from $1,000 up to 100% of cost of attendance

    Rates

    Lowest Rate 1.94%

    1.94% - 17.99% fixed APR, 3.89% - 17.99% variable APR

    Apply Now
    Disclosures+

    College Ave's student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 8.35% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR): 120 monthly payments of $179.18 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $21,501.54. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 8/18/2026. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.

  2. Rank #2

    Undergrad

    Sallie Mae logo

    Sallie Mae

    Best for: Undergraduate and graduate students, and parents, comparing competitive fixed- and variable-rate private student loans

    • Competitive variable and fixed rates
    • Multiple repayment options
    • Cosigner release available
    • No origination fees

    Rates

    Lowest Rate 1.95%

    1.95% - 17.49% fixed APR, 3.75% - 16.95% variable APR

    Apply Now
    Disclosures+

    Undergraduate School Loan/Smart Option Student Loan: Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 4-year in-school period, and a 6-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 16.16% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $296.32 and one payment of $41.82, for a total loan cost of $36,578.90. For a borrower with the longest loan term, it works out to 16.38% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 177 payments of $265.54 and one payment of $173.00, for a total loan cost of $48,448.58. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not. Information advertised valid as of 08/25/2026. Rates: Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan with a 4-year in-school period, a 6-month grace, and the longest loan term offered. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan's Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Cosigner Release: Only the borrower may apply for cosigner release. To do so, they must first meet the age of majority in their state and provide proof of graduation (or completion of certification program), income, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (if their status has changed since they applied). In the last 12 months, the borrower can't have been past due on any loans serviced by Sallie Mae for 30 or more days or enrolled in any hardship forbearances or modified repayment programs. In addition, the borrower must have paid ahead or made 12 on-time principal and interest payments on each loan requested for release. The loan can't be past due when the cosigner release application is processed. The borrower must also demonstrate the ability to assume full responsibility of the loan(s) individually and pass a credit review when the cosigner release application is processed that demonstrates a satisfactory credit history including but not limited to no: bankruptcy, foreclosure, student loan(s) in default or 90-day delinquencies in the last 24 months. Requirements are subject to change.

  3. Rank #3

    Undergrad

    Earnest logo

    Earnest

    Best for: Borrowers who want a zero-fee¹ lender with flexible repayment options² across undergrad, grad, and professional school programs

    • 0.25% Auto Pay³ discount plus 0.25% Loyalty⁴ discount for eligible returning borrowers
    • No origination fees, late fees, or prepayment penalties¹
    • Borrow $1,000⁵ to $400,000 with 5, 7, 10, 12, or 15-year terms⁶
    • Four repayment options², a 9-month grace period⁷, and cosigner release for eligible borrowers⁸

    Rates

    Lowest Rate 2.29%

    2.29% - 16.24% fixed APR, 4.74% - 16.60% variable APR

    Check Eligibility
    Disclosures+

    Earnest Private Student Loans are subject to credit approval. ¹Earnest does not charge fees for origination, late payments, returned check, or prepayments. Florida Stamp Tax: For Florida residents, Florida documentary stamp tax is required by law, calculated as $0.35 for each $100 (or portion thereof) of the principal loan amount, the amount of which is provided in the Final Disclosure. Lender will add the stamp tax to the principal loan amount. The full amount will be paid directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. Certificate of Registration No. 78-8016373916-1. ²Repayment terms and repayment options available vary based on loan type. ³You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment from a checking or savings account. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available when loan payments are deferred during the interim period as a result of selecting the deferred repayment option. ⁴To be eligible for the Loyalty Discount, applicants must have previously obtained an Earnest Private Student Loan and apply using the same email address associated with that loan. Only one Loyalty Discount may be applied per eligible Earnest Private Student Loan. Not all applicants may qualify. This offer cannot be combined with Earnest’s Rate Match program. Earnest may modify or discontinue this offer at any time and without notice, however, once a Loyalty Discount is earned, it will not be taken away. ⁵Residents of Hawaii must request a loan of at least $1,501. ⁶Available interest rates are subject to change. Interest rates as of 03/19/2026. Earnest’s Loan Cost Examples: 1.) These examples provide estimates based on principal and interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. Variable annual percentage rate ("APR"): A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,511.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $150.30) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,054.10. 2.) These examples provide estimates based on interest-only payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,515.14. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $140.42 for 57 months. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $150.30) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $34,886.94. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $137.42 for 57 months. 3.) These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $253.39) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.92% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,035.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $246.61) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.65% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $45,814.80. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $25.00. 4.) These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $275.17) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.67% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,530.60. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $268.03) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.39% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $48,245.40. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available when the deferred repayment option has been selected and the loan is in the interim period. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $0. ⁷Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school. ⁸To qualify for automatic cosigner release, the outstanding principal balance of your loan must be paid down to 50% or less of the original principal balance. The primary borrower must have made 36 months of required payments after the end of the Interim Period. The primary borrower must meet our eligibility and minimum credit requirements. Additional terms and conditions may apply. To request cosigner release, the primary borrower must have made 12 consecutive, monthly on-time principal and interest payments (or an amount equal thereto) immediately preceding the cosigner release application. The primary borrower must satisfy certain eligibility and credit criteria at the time of application. Additional terms and conditions may apply. ⁹Includes 0.50% combined Auto Pay and Loyalty discounts. Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your financial profile. Fixed annual percentage rates (APR) range from 2.79% to 16.74% (2.29% - 16.24% with Auto Pay and Loyalty discounts). Variable annual percentage rates (APR) range from 5.24% to 17.1% (4.74% - 16.6% with Auto Pay and Loyalty discounts). Earnest variable interest rate student loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent plus a margin and will change on the 1st of each month. The rate will not increase more than once a month, but there is no limit on the amount that the rate could increase at one time. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified existing cosigned loan borrowers who receive the 0.25% Loyalty discount and requires selection of our shortest term offered, full principal and interest payment while in school, and enrollment in our 0.25% Auto Pay discount. Enrolling in Auto Pay is not required as a condition for approval. Interest rates are subject to change. Earnest Private Student Loans are made by FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. FinWise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107. Earnest student loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland, CA 94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770). FinWise Bank and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America. © 2026 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.

Ten years is the default, but it doesn't have to be your timeline. You get to choose based on your priorities and expected income.

Option 1: The Standard 10-Year Plan

Best if your expected starting salary makes the monthly payment manageable. A common rule of thumb: your total student loan debt should not exceed your expected first-year salary. If you're borrowing $33,500 and expect to earn $45,000 to $55,000 after graduation, the standard plan works.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the average starting salary for the class of 2025 bachelor's degree graduates is about $61,150. At that income, a $381 monthly payment is roughly 7.5% of gross pay — tight but doable.

Option 2: Aggressive Payoff (5-7 Years)

If you can pay more each month, you'll save significantly on interest. On a $33,500 loan at 6.52%:

  • 7-year payoff: ~$498/month (saves about $4,090 in interest vs. 10 years)
  • 5-year payoff: ~$655/month (saves about $6,580 in interest vs. 10 years)

Even an extra $50 per month on top of the standard payment shaves roughly 14 months off your timeline and saves over $1,500 in interest.

Option 3: Income-Driven Repayment (IDR)

If your income after graduation will be modest relative to your debt, an income-driven repayment plan can help. For 2026, the main option is the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), which sets payments at 1% to 10% of your income with a $10 minimum and forgiveness after 30 years; Income-Based Repayment (IBR) remains available too. Payments can be very low or even $0 if your income is modest, and a $0 payment still counts toward forgiveness.

The tradeoff: IDR plans extend your timeline to 20 or 25 years, and you'll pay more in total interest — sometimes much more. Use IDR as a safety net, not a first choice, unless you're pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Build Your Budget Around Payments

A repayment plan only works if it fits inside a real budget. Here's how to test yours while you're still in school.

Step 1: Estimate Your Post-Graduation Income

Look up starting salaries for your major and region. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook gives median pay by occupation. Be conservative — use the 25th percentile, not the median, for first-year planning.

Step 2: Calculate Take-Home Pay

On a $50,000 salary, after federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare, expect roughly $3,300 to $3,600 per month in take-home pay (varies by state). On $40,000, expect about $2,700 to $3,000.

Step 3: Subtract Fixed Expenses

Estimate monthly costs for:

  • Rent: $900-$1,500 (national median for a one-bedroom is about $1,400 in 2025)
  • Utilities: $150-$250
  • Food: $300-$500
  • Transportation: $200-$600
  • Health insurance: $0-$300 (if not covered by employer or parent's plan until 26)
  • Phone and internet: $100-$150

Step 4: See What's Left for Loan Payments

If your take-home is $3,400 and your expenses total $2,500, you have $900 left. A $381 loan payment fits. A $500 payment fits and gets you out of debt faster. If the math doesn't work, you know now — while you still have time to adjust your borrowing, find scholarships, or plan for an IDR application.

Start Making Payments While Still in School

You're not required to make payments until after your grace period ends (six months post-graduation for most federal loans). But there's nothing stopping you from paying early.

Even small payments during school can make a real difference:

  • $25/month during 4 years of school on a $5,500 unsubsidized loan at 6.52% saves you about $500 in interest over the life of the loan and reduces your capitalized balance at repayment.
  • $50/month during school on that same loan eliminates nearly all the accrued interest, so you enter repayment at close to your original principal.

If you have a campus job, freelance income, or summer earnings, directing even a small portion toward your unsubsidized loan interest keeps your balance from growing while you finish your degree.

Tell your servicer to apply any payments to interest first, then principal. This matters — some servicers may advance your due date rather than reduce your balance unless you specify.

Use the Grace Period Wisely

After graduation, you have six months before your first payment is due. Don't treat this as a vacation from thinking about loans. Use it to:

  • Confirm your servicer. Log into studentaid.gov and make sure you know who is managing your loans and how to reach them.
  • Enroll in autopay. Most federal servicers offer a 0.25% interest rate reduction when you set up automatic payments. On $33,500, that small discount saves about $400 over 10 years.
  • Choose your repayment plan. You'll be placed on the standard plan by default. If you want IDR, apply during your grace period so it's active by your first due date.
  • Make a payment anyway. Your grace period is interest-free only on subsidized loans. Unsubsidized loans keep accruing. A single $200 payment during the grace period reduces your capitalized interest.

Roadblocks to Watch

Ignoring Interest Capitalization

Many borrowers don't realize that unpaid interest gets added to principal at key trigger points: when your grace period ends, when you leave deferment or forbearance, and when you switch repayment plans. Each time, your balance jumps. Plan for this by tracking your accrued interest (visible on your servicer's dashboard) and paying it down before it capitalizes.

Underestimating Living Costs

The biggest threat to your repayment plan isn't the loan itself — it's a budget that falls apart in the first month. Research real costs in the city where you'll live, not national averages. If rent alone takes 40% of take-home pay, your loan payment plan needs to reflect that reality.

Relying on Future Raises

Your plan should work on Day 1 income, not on the salary you hope to earn in three years. Raises are not guaranteed, especially early in your career. Build your timeline around what you know, and accelerate payments later when extra income actually arrives.

Not Knowing Your Servicer

Roughly one in four borrowers has contacted the wrong servicer or struggled to identify the right one, according to Government Accountability Office reporting. Bookmark your servicer's website, save their phone number, and check your account at least once per quarter.

Choosing Forbearance Too Quickly

If money gets tight after graduation, forbearance pauses your payments but interest keeps piling up. A single year of forbearance on a $33,500 loan at 6.52% adds approximately $2,184 in interest to your balance. Before requesting forbearance, explore IDR plans, which may give you a $0 payment without the interest damage.

The Bottom Line

Building a repayment plan before graduation is one of the most practical things you can do for your financial future. It doesn't require advanced math or financial expertise. It requires an hour with your loan balances, a calculator, and an honest estimate of your post-graduation income. You'll know your monthly payment, your total cost, and your payoff date before you even toss your cap.

The students who feel most confident about their loans aren't the ones who borrowed the least — they're the ones who made a plan while they still had time to adjust. You have that time right now.

Start building your personalized college plan today at CollegeLens — we'll help you see exactly how borrowing fits into your full financial picture, from freshman year through your final payment.

Sravani at CollegeLens

Want this in your inbox?

The Family Money Talk Guide is the next read. Sent free.

We will not share or sell your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Updated:

Have a question about understand borrowing for other families? Discuss this in the Loans + Repayment tag

Next step

See what borrowing actually costs

Plug in loan amount, rate, and term. We show your monthly payment, total paid, and interest, with a payoff curve.

Open the calculator →

Takes 2 minutes. No SSN. No household income.

Previous

How Much Should You Borrow Based on Your Expected Salary

Next

Income-Driven Repayment Plans Compared

More in Understand borrowing