How Student Loan Repayment Is Calculated
Student loan payments follow the same amortization formula: M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n − 1]. For a $35,000 student loan at 5.5% APR on a standard 10-year repayment plan (120 months), the monthly payment is approximately $379.78, with a total repayment of $45,574 and $10,574 in interest. Federal loans in the US offer income-driven repayment plans that cap payments at 10%–20% of discretionary income, potentially extending the term to 20–25 years.