QuestionsMedical school to residency

IBR or RAP: which repayment plan should I pick as a resident?

Jay Weinberg, CLU, ChFCPhysician disability insurance specialist · PGY1 Financial Solutions

Short answer

For most graduating students these are the two options, and as a resident the monthly payments won't differ much. Both qualify for PSLF. If you're on the fence, RAP may be the lean because of its unpaid interest subsidy. In a very high earning field going for PSLF with large loans, look hard at IBR.

Jay answers it

A short clip from his webinar for residents and fellows, with captions.

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The difference that matters later

IBR caps your payment at whatever the 10-year standard repayment would be. RAP doesn't have that cap. As a resident that likely doesn't mean much, but as an attending earning a really good income, there can be a huge difference between the two payments.

As a resident

Payment amounts are calculated differently, but for residents there won't be much difference between RAP and IBR monthly payments. Both are eligible for public service loan forgiveness. Both let you file taxes separately to isolate your income from your spouse's when figuring your payment.

Which way to lean

If you're on the fence, you may want to lean toward RAP, because there are some really favorable benefits around the unpaid interest subsidy. If you're going into a very high income potential field, going for PSLF, with a decent amount of loans, take a look at IBR.

Questions that shape the answer

Are you hoping for loan forgiveness? Where did the loans come from? What's your tax filing status? If you're married, how much does your spouse make, and do they also have government loans?

Where Jay covers this

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Next step

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