Federal Student Loan FAQ

You can download a plain text (.txt) file of your federal loan, grant, enrollment, and contact information when you're logged in to StudentAid.gov.

Note: You never have to pay for help with your federal student aid. Only use trusted sources. Learn more about avoiding student aid scams.

The file includes:

• Loan details (type, status, principal, and interest)
• Grant awards and lifetime usage
• Enrollment history and program information
• Loan servicer contact information

No. This app runs entirely in your browser. Your file is processed locally and never uploaded or shared with any server.

• New Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) from July 1, 2026: 1–10% of AGI, $10/month minimum, $50/month off per dependent, unpaid interest waived, forgiveness after 30 years.
• IBR remains for loans made before July 1, 2026. SAVE, PAYE and ICR are being phased out.
• New loans get a Tiered Standard plan (10–25 years depending on balance).
• Grad PLUS ends for new borrowers; new professional students are capped at $50,000/year and $200,000 total. Current students generally keep existing limits for up to 3 more years.
• IDR forgiveness (RAP/IBR) is taxable again; PSLF stays federally tax-free.

It depends on your employer, your debt compared to your income, and whether you plan to own a practice:

• Nonprofit, FQHC, public health, VA/military or academic? PSLF on RAP is usually the winner — 10 years, tax-free.
• Debt more than about 2× your income? IDR forgiveness may cost less, but plan for the tax bill.
• Debt around or below your income? Pay it off. Staying federal and paying extra keeps a low required payment, which helps your debt-to-income ratio for a mortgage or practice loan.
• Refinance federal loans only if you're certain you won't need RAP, PSLF, or forgiveness.

The Dental Strategy tab runs all of these with your numbers. Review big decisions with a CPA or planner who works with dentists.

RAP and IBR use your adjusted gross income (AGI): salary minus pre-tax contributions (401(k)/403(b), HSA, FSA, health premiums), before taxes. Contributing more pre-tax lowers your AGI and your payment.

Payments are based on your most recent tax return, so in your first year after dental school (student-year income ≈ $0) RAP is about $10/month. You recertify every year, and payments rise once your full salary shows up.

Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC):

The calculator provides estimates based on standard amortization formulas. Actual payments may vary based on:

• Your specific repayment plan
• Income-driven repayment adjustments
• Deferment or forbearance periods
• Interest capitalization events

Always verify payment amounts with your loan servicer and refer to your official repayment schedule. For RAP, IBR, PSLF and refinancing comparisons, use the Dental Strategy tab.

If you notice discrepancies in your loan data:

1. Download a fresh data file from StudentAid.gov to ensure you have the most current information
2. Contact your loan servicer directly to verify any questionable information
3. Report errors to the Federal Student Aid Information Center if you believe there are inaccuracies in your official records