By 
To switch out of the SAVE plan, log in at studentaid.gov, go to the “Manage Loans” or “Apply for an Income-Driven Repayment Plan” section, choose your new plan (RAP, IBR, or a fixed-term plan), and submit the application. If you consent to let the Department pull your income from the IRS, the income-driven application takes about 10 minutes. Do this before your servicer’s 90-day window closes so you choose your plan instead of being auto-enrolled.
How do I switch out of the SAVE plan?
You change plans through your account at studentaid.gov, not by calling a separate office. The SAVE plan ends July 1, 2026, and servicers begin sending notices that day giving borrowers about 90 days to enroll in a new plan, according to the guidance reported by NPR. The application itself is short, especially if you let the system import your income.
Key Takeaways
- Where: studentaid.gov, using your FSA ID login.
- What you need: your FSA ID, income info, and family size.
- Fastest path: consent to IRS income import to skip manual entry.
- Time: about 10 minutes for an income-driven application.
- When: before your 90-day window closes to avoid auto-enrollment.
What do I need before I start?
Have a few things ready so you do not get stuck mid-application. You will need your FSA ID username and password (the same login you use for studentaid.gov), your family size, and a sense of your income. If you plan to enter income manually instead of importing it, have a recent pay stub or tax return handy. Knowing which plan you want before you start also helps, so compare options first in RAP vs IBR.
Step by step: switching plans on studentaid.gov
Step 1: Log in. Go to studentaid.gov and sign in with your FSA ID. If you have forgotten it, reset it before the window gets tight, since resets can take time.
Step 2: Find your loans and current plan. Open your dashboard to confirm you are in SAVE and to see your servicer and balance. This tells you what you are switching from.
Step 3: Start the repayment plan application. Look for “Manage Loans” and the option to apply for a new repayment plan or an income-driven repayment plan. Select it to begin.
Step 4: Consent to IRS income import. When prompted, give consent for the Department to pull your federal tax information directly from the IRS. This is the step that makes the application fast and avoids manual income entry.
Step 5: Choose your plan. Select RAP, IBR, or the fixed-term plan you want. If you are unsure, an income-driven plan like RAP or IBR is the usual choice for lower earners and anyone pursuing forgiveness.
Step 6: Review and submit. Check your family size, income, and selected plan, then submit. Save or screenshot the confirmation.
Step 7: Confirm with your servicer. After processing, check your studentaid.gov account or your servicer to confirm your new plan, payment amount, and first due date.
Which plan should I switch to?
That depends on your income, dependents, and goals. Lower and middle earners who want their balance protected often choose RAP, which caps payments at 1% to 10% of income and waives unpaid interest. Borrowers who want faster forgiveness may prefer IBR. Comfortable earners who want a fixed payoff date and no income check may pick the Tiered Standard Plan, though it does not count toward forgiveness or PSLF.
Estimate your RAP payment in our RAP guide, weigh the income-driven options in RAP vs IBR, and see the fixed-term path in the Tiered Standard Plan explained.
What if I miss the deadline?
If your 90-day window closes, your servicer auto-enrolls you in the Standard or Tiered Standard Plan. You stay out of default, but you may get a higher payment and no forgiveness credit. You can still apply to switch to an income-driven plan afterward. See what happens if you do nothing for the details.
Frequently asked questions
Do I switch plans through my servicer or studentaid.gov?
Use studentaid.gov to apply for a new plan. Your servicer then processes it and handles billing. You can confirm the change with your servicer afterward.
How long does the application take?
About 10 minutes for an income-driven plan if you consent to IRS income import. Manual income entry takes a bit longer.
Will switching restart my forgiveness count?
Qualifying payments you already made generally continue to count if you move to a qualifying plan. Confirm your payment count at studentaid.gov after switching.
What if I do not know my income for the year?
The IRS import uses your most recent tax information, so you usually do not need to estimate. If you enter income manually, use your latest documentation and update if your situation changes.
Can I change my mind after I pick a plan?
Yes. You can generally switch income-driven plans later at studentaid.gov, though changing plans can affect your payment count, so choose carefully.
Bottom line: switching out of SAVE is a short online task at studentaid.gov. Log in, consent to the IRS income import, pick RAP, IBR, or a fixed-term plan, and submit before your 90-day window closes so the choice is yours.
For the full set of July 1 changes, start at our hub on student loan changes in 2026.
A quick note: this guide is here to help you understand your options, not to act as personal financial, legal, or tax advice. Repayment plan rules and dates come from the U.S. Department of Education and can change over time, so it is always worth checking your own numbers and deadlines at studentaid.gov or with your loan servicer before you make a move.
