Student Loan Calculator

Easily calculate student loan payments with this free online tool. Input loan amount, term, and interest rate to instantly see monthly payments, total interest, and overall cost.

About

Loan Amount Input

Enter the total loan amount in dollars.

Loan Term Input

Specify the loan term in years.

Interest Rate Input

Enter the annual interest rate as a percentage.

Calculate Button

Click to instantly calculate monthly payment, total interest paid, and total amount paid.

Result Display

Shows the calculated monthly payment, total interest, and total payment amounts.

Reference

Student loans are a common way to finance higher education. Understanding the repayment terms, interest rates, and total costs is crucial for proper financial planning. This calculator provides key insights into the overall burden of student loans by calculating monthly payments based on the loan amount, term length, and interest rate.

Some authoritative sources on student loans and repayment:

- Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education): https://studentaid.gov/
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/student-loans/
- FinAid (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators): https://finaid.org/

Calculation

The student loan calculator uses the following formula to determine the monthly payment amount:

Monthly Payment = [Loan Amount * (Interest Rate / 12)] / [1 - (1 + Interest Rate / 12)^(-Number of Payments)]

Where:
- Loan Amount is the total principal borrowed
- Interest Rate is the annual interest rate converted to a decimal (e.g., 7% = 0.07)
- Number of Payments is the Loan Term in years multiplied by 12 (for monthly payments)

The total interest paid is calculated as:
Total Interest = (Monthly Payment * Number of Payments) - Loan Amount

And the total payment is simply:
Total Payment = Monthly Payment * Number of Payments

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of student loans can this calculator be used for?
This calculator can be used for any type of student loan, including federal loans, private loans, and consolidated loans.
How does the interest rate affect my monthly payment and total cost?
A higher interest rate will result in a higher monthly payment and higher total interest paid over the life of the loan.
Can I change the loan term to see how it impacts my monthly payment?
Yes, you can adjust the loan term in years to see how a shorter or longer repayment period affects your monthly payment amount and total interest paid.
Does this calculator account for any loan fees or additional charges?
No, this calculator only considers the principal loan amount, interest rate, and loan term. Additional fees or charges from the lender are not included.
Can I save or print my calculation results?
The calculator does not currently have a save or print option, but you can copy the results or take a screenshot for your records.