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.
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Find your starting point
Pick the path that matches your situation. One click to the next useful page, not a maze of menus.
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
Compare live refinance offers, then decide if giving up federal benefits is worth it.
GoI'm a parent
Parent PLUS caps and repayment options after July 1, 2026.
GoRefinance
Student loan refinance lenders
Soft-pull rate checks when the lender offers them. Read the federal warning first if any loan is still federal.
Compare refinance lenders
Sponsored partners first when live. Editorial rows show dated official-page facts until more affiliate programs are approved.
| Lender | Best for | Credit check | Fees | Terms | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. credit | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ELFI Sponsored | Soft-pull prequalification and no listed application fees | Soft pull to see rates | No app, origination, or prepay fees listed | 5 to 20 years | From 4.49% APR, as listed | From 4.74% APR, as listed | 680+ | |
 Credible Editorial | Comparing multiple refinance lenders in one flow | See Credible disclosures for soft vs hard pull | Credible states no borrower fees | Varies by participating lender | Marketplace ranges change; confirm in Credible flow | Marketplace ranges change; confirm in Credible flow | Varies by lender | Lender overview |
 Splash Financial Editorial | Comparing refinance offers from a lender network | Rate check marketed as no credit impact | See lender disclosures in Splash flow | Varies by participating lender | From 4.29% APR for student refinance, as listed | See Splash for live range | Varies by lender | Lender overview |
 SoFi Editorial | Soft-pull rate check and fixed or variable refinance paths | Soft pull to see rates | See SoFi disclosures | 5 to 20 year examples listed | From 4.49% APR, as listed | See SoFi for live variable range | See SoFi | Lender overview |
 Juno Editorial | Negotiated group deals on student loans and refinance | See Juno | Free for members per Juno | See Juno offer | Confirm on lender site | Confirm on lender site | See Juno | Lender overview |
 Earnest Editorial | Custom payment options and no listed fees | Soft pull to check rate | No fees of any kind listed | Customizable terms on Earnest's page | From 4.65% APR with autopay discount, as listed | From 5.88% APR with autopay discount, as listed | See Earnest | Lender overview |
Partner and editorial facts checked 2026-11-13. APR figures are recopied from official pages with that as-of date and can change. Live rates and eligibility come from the lender. Publisher payouts are never shown. Refinance hub · All lender overviews · Advertiser disclosure
July 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.
- How to read a private loan offer
How to read a private student loan offer: APR versus interest rate, fees, capitalization, cosigner release, and federal benefits you permanently give up.
- New federal Direct Loan limits 2026
New federal Direct Loan and Parent PLUS annual and aggregate caps effective July 1, 2026, with figures taken from dated StudentAid.gov rule sources.
- 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.
- Paying for grad school after PLUS
What Grad PLUS ending means for new graduate borrowers, Direct Unsubsidized caps after July 1, 2026, and how to plan a funding gap without invented rates.
- PSLF in 2026: why not to refinance
Why Public Service Loan Forgiveness borrowers should not refinance federal Direct Loans into private debt in 2026, and which repayment plans still 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.