Student Loan Payoff

Student loan payoff calculator: estimate your monthly payment, total interest, and total cost from your balance, interest rate, and loan term. Free, instant, no sign-up.

Results

Monthly Payment

$333.06

Details

Total Paid$39,967.38
Total Interest$9,967.38

Formula Used

M = P[r(1+r)^n]/[(1+r)^n-1]

How this calculator works

Enter your loan balance, annual interest rate, and loan term to estimate your monthly payment, total paid, and total interest. The calculator uses the standard loan amortization formula, matching the schedule a lender would produce for a fixed-rate loan.

Formula

M = P[r(1+r)^n]/[(1+r)^n-1]

Worked example

A $30,000 student loan at 6% annual interest over 10 years gives a monthly payment of about $333.06. Over 120 payments the total paid is about $39,967.38, of which about $9,967.38 is interest.

Inputs

  • Loan Balance ($)
  • Interest Rate (%)
  • Loan Term (years)

Common mistakes

  • Entering the annual rate as the monthly rate, which inflates the payment. Enter the annual rate; the calculator divides it by 12.
  • Comparing loan offers on the monthly payment alone instead of the total interest, which is the true cost of a longer term.
  • Treating federal and private loans as identical: deferment, forbearance, and income-driven repayment rules differ by loan type.

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Frequently asked questions

How is the monthly student loan payment calculated?

With the amortization formula M = P[r(1+r)^n]/[(1+r)^n-1], where P is the loan balance, r is the monthly rate (the annual rate divided by 12), and n is the total number of payments. For $30,000 at 6% over 120 payments, the result is about $333.06 per month.

How much total interest will I pay on my student loan?

Multiply the monthly payment by the number of payments and subtract the original balance. At 6% over 10 years, a $30,000 loan costs about $9,967.38 in interest, for a total of about $39,967.38.

Can this calculator show how extra payments shorten my term?

This calculator compares fixed loan terms and does not model extra payments directly. To estimate the effect of paying more, enter a shorter term and compare its total interest against your current term.

Should I choose a shorter or longer loan term?

A shorter term means a higher monthly payment but less total interest. A longer term lowers the payment but increases the total cost. Compare both terms in the calculator; the total-interest figure shows exactly what the extra years cost.

Is student loan interest tax deductible?

In the US, eligible borrowers can deduct up to $2,500 of student loan interest paid per year, subject to income limits. The deduction applies to interest actually paid during the year. Check current IRS rules or a tax professional for your situation.

What happens if I only make the minimum payment?

The loan pays off exactly on schedule: the balance reaches zero after the last payment of the term, with total interest equal to the figure shown. A longer term with minimum payments is the highest-interest way to repay the same balance.