Grad Funding Gap
See how much Direct Unsubsidized room you may have left, and the private-loan gap after Grad PLUS closed to most new borrowers.
Use this toolStudent Loan Secrets
Everything you need to know about student loans
Plain-English guides, honest calculators, and the federal changes that matter in 2026.
Start here
Pick the path that matches your situation
Four clear entry points. No rate tables, no hard sell. Just the next page you actually need.
I'm starting grad school
New caps, the Grad PLUS exception, and how to fill a funding gap.
GoI'm in repayment
Compare RAP, IBR, and Tiered Standard with dated federal rules.
GoI'm thinking about refinancing
See what you give up before you chase a lower private rate.
GoI'm a parent
Parent PLUS caps and repayment options after July 1, 2026.
GoJuly 1, 2026
What changed for borrowers
The biggest federal student loan reset in years. Know these four points before you borrow or refinance.
Full timeline- Grad PLUS closed to most new graduate borrowers, with a limited exception.
- New loan caps for graduate, professional, and Parent PLUS borrowing.
- RAP became the only IDR plan for loans first disbursed on or after that date.
- Tiered Standard became the fixed plan for those new loans (not PSLF-qualifying).
Decision tools
Run the numbers when you are ready
Calculators come after you know your situation. Each one follows current federal rules, not marketing estimates.
RAP vs IBR vs Tiered Standard
Estimate monthly payments under the plans that still apply after SAVE ended, including when to keep a federal loan.
Use this toolRefinance savings
Compare current vs new payments, with a clear warning when refinancing would end federal benefits.
Use this toolExtra payment payoff
See how extra monthly payments change payoff time and total interest.
Use this toolWhich plan am I eligible for?
A short quiz for RAP, IBR, and Tiered Standard based on disbursement date and Parent PLUS.
Use this toolFeatured calculator
Estimate your Grad Funding Gap
See Direct Unsubsidized room and the private-loan gap after Grad PLUS closed to most new borrowers.
The math runs in your browser. We do not store your inputs on our servers.
Estimated need
$40,000Federal Direct Unsubsidized room
$20,500Private-loan gap
$19,500- This estimate defaults to no new Grad PLUS. Confirm current Direct Loan rules with your school financial aid office.
- Starting July 1, 2026, Direct PLUS Loans are no longer available to graduate or professional students unless the student qualifies for the limited exception.
Guides
Featured reading
- Federal vs Private Student Loans
Compare federal Direct Loans and private student loans on repayment options, forgiveness, borrowing limits after July 2026, and when each type fits your plan.
- Grad PLUS Is Gone for Most New Borrowers: How to Pay for Grad School Now
After July 1, 2026, most graduate students cannot take out new Grad PLUS loans. Here is how federal caps, the limited exception, and private funding fit together.
- How to Read a Private Student Loan Offer
Learn to compare private student loan disclosures: APR, fees, fixed vs variable rates, repayment length, cosigner rules, and red flags, without relying on marketing copy.
- New Federal Direct Loan Limits in 2026
Graduate, professional, and Parent PLUS Direct Loan annual and aggregate caps that took effect July 1, 2026, plus the Grad PLUS limited exception.
- Parent PLUS Loans After July 2026
How Parent PLUS annual and aggregate caps, interim exceptions, repayment choices, and private alternatives work after the July 1, 2026 federal loan changes.
- PSLF in 2026: Do Not Refinance Federal Loans Yet
Public Service Loan Forgiveness still depends on federal loans and qualifying payments. Why refinancing wipes PSLF, and which 2026 repayment plans count.
Refinance warning
When not to refinance
- You are pursuing or might pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
- You need an income-driven payment you can actually afford.
- You may need federal deferment or forbearance.
- You are on, or may need, the Repayment Assistance Plan.
- A court or servicer notice about the end of SAVE is still unresolved for you. Pick a federal plan first at studentaid.gov.
Plans
Plan comparison snapshot
A quick look at how the main plans differ. Open the estimator for your numbers.
| Plan | Best for | PSLF |
|---|---|---|
| Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) | Income-driven payments; only IDR if all loans are post July 1, 2026 | Can qualify |
| Income-Based Repayment (IBR) | Many loans first disbursed before July 1, 2026 | Can qualify |
| Tiered Standard Plan | Fixed payment when you have a post July 1, 2026 Direct Loan | Does not count |
Trust
Built to be checked, not believed
Every federal figure on this site traces back to official sources with dates attached. We do not invent rates, rankings, or reviews.
FAQ
Quick answers
Should I refinance federal student loans?
Only after you understand that refinancing ends IDR (including RAP), PSLF, and federal deferment or forbearance. Run the plan estimator first.
Is Grad PLUS still available?
For most new graduate borrowers, no, starting July 1, 2026. A limited exception may apply if you meet the three continuous-enrollment tests. Confirm with your school.
What replaced SAVE?
SAVE ended in March 2026. Borrowers pick another plan. For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, RAP is the only IDR option and Tiered Standard is the new fixed plan.