f you decide that an IDR plan is no longer right for you, you may be able to switch to a different plan. Use the Department of Education’s Repayment Calculator to see what plans you are eligible for and what your payment would be under each plan to decide what is right for you.
Even if you switch out of a plan, you can switch back to it at a later date so long as the plan remains available and you are eligible.
Extra step for borrowers who want to leave Income-Based Repayment (IBR)
Leaving the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan can be slightly more difficult than leaving other plans. To leave IBR, you usually must make at least one month’s payment under a standard repayment plan. After you make that payment, you can switch to another plan.
But if you are leaving IBR to switch to a different IDR plan, you can avoid making a standard payment by filling out the IDR request form and requesting a one-month forbearance while you are switched to the new plan.
Additionally, if you switch out of IBR, any unpaid interest may be added to your loan balance (capitalization).
