Student loans

This chart shows options for paying down federal student loans whether you're in a solid or shaky financial situation.

I am in a solid financial situation:

• Standard repayment plan
• Graduated repayment plan

I am in a shaky financial situation:

• I need a payment plan that's tied to my income:
  • Income-based repayment
  • Income-contingent repayment
  • Pay-as-you-earn plan
• I need a temporary break from payments:
  • Deferment
  • Forbearance
• I work in a public service:
  • Loan forgiveness or cancellation
• My school closed, I'm facing extreme financial hardship, and/or certain other specific circumstances apply:
  • Loan discharge