Enter your student loans to see your payoff date, total interest, and how much extra payments save. Works for both federal and private loans.
Strategy
Strategy comparison
| ❄ Snowball | 📉 Avalanche | |
|---|---|---|
| Payoff date | May 2032 | Apr 2032 |
| Total interest | $6,387 | $6,376 |
| Months to payoff | 69 | 68 |
| You save | — | $12 |
Overwhelmed by the timeline? See your options: → Debt relief options | Compare 0% cards →
Balance over time
Payment schedule
| Month | Debt | Payment | Principal | Interest | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mo 1 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $309 | $101 | $18,191 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $81 | $74 | $13,419 | |
| Mo 2 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $311 | $99 | $17,880 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $82 | $73 | $13,337 | |
| Mo 3 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $313 | $97 | $17,567 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $82 | $73 | $13,254 | |
| Mo 4 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $314 | $96 | $17,253 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $83 | $72 | $13,172 | |
| Mo 5 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $316 | $94 | $16,937 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $83 | $72 | $13,088 | |
| Mo 6 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $318 | $92 | $16,619 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $84 | $71 | $13,005 | |
| Mo 7 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $319 | $91 | $16,300 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $84 | $71 | $12,921 | |
| Mo 8 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $321 | $89 | $15,979 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $85 | $70 | $12,836 | |
| Mo 9 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $323 | $87 | $15,656 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $85 | $70 | $12,751 | |
| Mo 10 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $325 | $85 | $15,331 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $86 | $69 | $12,665 | |
| Mo 11 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $326 | $84 | $15,005 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $86 | $69 | $12,580 | |
| Mo 12 | Federal Loan (Subsidized) | $410 | $328 | $82 | $14,677 |
| Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) | $155 | $86 | $69 | $12,493 |
Strategy
Federal loans have IDR, PSLF, and forbearance options. Private loans have none. Never mix strategies: treat each loan type by its own rules. For most borrowers, attack private loans aggressively and manage federal loans based on whether forgiveness applies to you.
PSLF forgives your remaining federal balance after 120 qualifying payments on an IDR plan. If you're on track for forgiveness, extra payments reduce the balance that will be forgiven — effectively giving free money to the government. Pay only required minimums.
If forgiveness doesn't apply, treat student loans like any other debt: avalanche order (highest rate first), automate minimums on all loans, direct every extra dollar to the highest-rate loan. Private loans almost always come first since rates are typically higher.
Refinancing federal loans into private debt gets you a lower rate but eliminates all federal protections. Only refinance if: stable income, no plans to use IDR or forgiveness, and you can get at least 1.5–2% rate reduction. Run the calculator to see how much a rate drop saves.
Multiple student loans? The payoff order matters. See snowball vs. avalanche compared — which strategy is right when your loans have different rates.
Snowball vs. Avalanche →Thinking about consolidating your student loans? See debt consolidation vs. payoff strategy — when it lowers your rate and when it eliminates federal protections you need.
Consolidation vs. Payoff →Have private student loans you're thinking about refinancing? See balance transfer vs. personal loan — how the math compares when you want a lower rate.
Compare Options →Not pursuing forgiveness? Then extra payments are your fastest path out. See the minimum vs. extra payment math— how much each extra dollar saves and when it's worth it.
Minimum vs. Extra →Refinancing private student loans into a personal loan? See the personal loan payoff calculator — compare your timeline and total interest at any fixed rate.
Personal Loan Calculator →Juggling student loans and medical bills? See the medical debt guide — most hospital bills are 0% and negotiable, so they belong at the back of your payoff order.
Medical Debt Guide →Total debt load feeling unmanageable even with a plan? See all debt relief options compared — what NFCC counseling, settlement, and other programs actually cost and do.
Debt Relief Options →Carrying credit card debt alongside student loans? Compare the top 0% balance transfer cards — eliminating card interest lets you focus more firepower on the loans.
Compare Cards →Have your repayment strategy figured out? Print the free debt payoff worksheet — track all your loans in one place with a 12-month payment log.
Print Worksheet →Want a fuller planning tool for the long haul? Download the free 9-page PDF planner — monthly logs and a debt thermometer to track progress over your full repayment term.
Get PDF Planner →Want to model all your loans in one place? Download the free debt payoff spreadsheet — list every loan, enter your rates, and see your payoff order and timeline calculated automatically.
Get Spreadsheet →Have multiple loans? See the Dave Ramsey snowball vs. avalanche comparison — which payoff order saves more interest when you have several different balances.
Snowball vs. Avalanche →Curious how others paid off their student loans? Read real debt payoff stories — real repayment timelines and what finally moved the needle.
Read Stories →Want to see when your loans could be paid off? Use the free debt payoff calculator — plug in your balance, rate, and monthly payment to get an exact debt-free date.
Try the Calculator →Want more guides on managing and paying off debt? Browse the debt payoff blog — strategy breakdowns, method comparisons, and step-by-step guides.
Read the Blog →Student loan payments weigh heavily on your DTI for years. Use the free DTI calculator — see your current ratio and how refinancing or extra payments could improve it.
DTI Calculator →Student loans are often the largest liability on a young borrower's net worth sheet. Track your progress with the net worth calculator — see assets minus liabilities and watch the liability side shrink.
Net Worth Calculator →If you have multiple loans at different rates, avalanche order minimizes total interest. Use the avalanche payoff calculator — see how targeting your highest rate first changes your total cost.
Avalanche Calculator →Clearing your smallest student loan first can free up cash flow faster. Use the snowball calculator — get a month-by-month timeline of each balance disappearing.
Snowball Calculator →Have other high-rate debt alongside your student loans? Use the balance transfer calculator — see whether moving credit card balances to 0% frees up cash to attack your loans faster.
Balance Transfer Calculator →FAQ