What is the longest student loan term?

Asked by: Leda Mosciski  |  Last update: February 16, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (42 votes)

Income-Driven Repayment Plans The maximum repayment term for borrowers with only undergraduate loans is 20 years and 25 years for any borrowers with graduate school loans. Income-driven repayment plans cap your monthly payments at a certain percentage of your discretionary income.

Can you do a 30 year student loan?

For Direct Consolidation and FFEL Consolidation Loans on this plan, you'll pay for a period of between 10 and 30 years. For these consolidation loans, the length of your repayment period will depend on how much you owe in student loan debt. The greater your student loan debt, the longer the repayment period you'll get.

What happens after 25 years of student loans?

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness

If you repay your loans under an IDR plan, any remaining balance on your student loans will be forgiven after you make a certain number of payments over 20 or 25 years—or as few as 10 years under our newest IDR plan, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan.

Is there a lifetime limit on student loans?

The lifetime aggregate limit for undergraduate students is $57,500, of which no more than $23,000 can be in subsidized loans. For graduate students, the lifetime borrowing limit is $138,500, of which, no more than $65,500 can be in subsidized loans.

At what age do student loans get written off?

After at least 20 years of student loan payments under an income-driven repayment plan — IDR forgiveness and 20-year student loan forgiveness. After 25 years if you borrowed loans for graduate school — 25-year federal loan forgiveness.

What Everyone's Getting Wrong About Student Loans

25 related questions found

Will my 20 year old student loan be forgiven?

Yes, federal student loans may be forgiven after 20 years under certain circumstances. But only certain types of loans are eligible for forgiveness, and you must be enrolled in a qualifying repayment plan. You'll also need to stay out of default on your loans.

What happens after 7 years of not paying student loans?

Consequences of Not Paying Student Loans for 7 Years

Federal student loans can remain on your credit report indefinitely until they're paid off —- there is no statute of limitations. Defaulted student loans from private lenders may fall off your credit report after seven years.

What is the 10 year rule for student loans?

The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you've satisfied the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) under an IDR plan while working full-time for an eligible employer.

Do student loans cover all 4 years of college?

Key takeaways. A select few private lenders offer Multi-Year Approval for student loans. Multi-Year Approval involves applying once and qualifying for a lump sum of funding to cover all four years of college. The majority of private lenders require that you reapply for funding every year.

What is the maximum term for student loans?

The maximum repayment term for borrowers with only undergraduate loans is 20 years and 25 years for any borrowers with graduate school loans. Income-driven repayment plans cap your monthly payments at a certain percentage of your discretionary income.

How to get 100% student loan forgiveness?

PSLF forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Only payments made under certain repayment plans (primarily income-driven repayment plans) qualify for PSLF.

Can you age out of student loans?

No, the federal government doesn't forgive student loans at age 50, 65, or when borrowers retire and start drawing Social Security benefits. So, for example, you'll still owe Parent PLUS Loans, FFEL Loans, and Direct Loans after you retire.

Are student loans wiped after 25 years?

If you repay your loans under an IDR plan, any remaining balance on your student loans will be forgiven after you make a certain number of payments over 20 or 25 years. Past periods of repayment, deferment, and forbearance might now count toward IDR forgiveness because of the payment count adjustment.

Is $30 000 in student loans a lot?

While $30,000 is about average for student debt, you can take steps to pay it off sooner than average.

Can I run out of student loans?

There are lifetime (or aggregate) limits for various aid programs including Federal loans. You will reach these limits quickly if you borrow the full amount of your loans each year, and could run out of eligibility before earning your degree. This is especially important if you are a part-time student.

What is the lifetime limit for student loans?

$57,500 for undergraduates-No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $138,500 for graduate or professional students-No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.

How long will FAFSA pay for school?

If so, the maximum is 6 years, you currently have 3.5 years used up, leaving you with 2.5 years of federal Pell for the FAFSA years you qualify. Log in to StudentAid.gov with your username and password, then navigate to “My Aid” to view your Federal Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used.

What is better, subsidized or unsubsidized loans?

Which loan should I accept? Given the option, you should accept a Direct Subsidized Loan first. Then, if you still need additional financial aid to pay for college or career school, accept the Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Do student loans ever get written off?

You can also get your student loans written off in the case of death, bankruptcy, disability, or in the case of fraudulent behavior at your college or university. There are also plenty of forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness which reward people in certain fields.

Do student loans get forgiven after 20 years?

Under certain federal programs, it's possible to get your student loans forgiven after 20 years of qualified payments. Private student loans, however, typically don't have forgiveness options, regardless of how long you pay them. Learn about how private student loans work and your options for managing them.

Do student loans stay on your credit report forever?

While negative information about your student loans may disappear from your credit reports after seven years, the student loans will remain on your credit reports — and in your life — until you pay them off.

What if I never pay off my student loans?

Your wages may be garnished. This means your employer may be required to withhold a portion of your pay and send it to your loan holder to repay your defaulted loan. You can no longer receive deferment or forbearance, and you lose eligibility for other benefits, such as the ability to choose a repayment plan.

Who is eligible for the fresh start program?

You qualify for the Fresh Start program if you have eligible federal student loans and you were in default when the student loan payment pause went into effect.

Can student loans take my house?

As a result, student loans can't take your house if you make your payments on time. However, if you miss enough student loan payments, your accounts will first move into delinquency status and then into default status. Once you default on student loans, you're at risk of having your house taken to pay them back.