Student Loan Repayment Timeline: What Happens After Graduation?

Understand exactly when you need to start repaying student loans and what key deadlines you need to know from Day 1.

By Kelly Larsen

Written by

Kelly Larsen is a student loans editor at Credible. She has spent over 10 years covering personal finance, with expertise in mortgage and debt management.

Written by

Kelly Larsen

Kelly Larsen is a student loans editor at Credible. She has spent over 10 years covering personal finance, with expertise in mortgage and debt management.

Edited by Richard Richtmyer

Written by

Richard Richtmyer

Richard Richtmyer is a senior editor with over 20 years of finance experience. He's an expert on student loans, capital markets, investing, real estate, technology, business, government, and politics.

Written by

Richard Richtmyer

Reviewed by Renee Fleck

Written by

Renee Fleck

Renee Fleck is a student loans editor with over six years of experience. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Morning Brew, and Sidebar.io, among other online publications. She is fluent in Spanish and French and enjoys traveling to new places.

Written by

Renee Fleck

Updated August 6, 2025

Editorial disclosure: Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as “Credible.”

Credible takeaways

You usually have 6 months before you need to start repaying student loans.
Knowing the key deadlines helps you stay in control.
Organizing your repayment schedule up front can prevent late fees, delinquencies, and credit score damage.

Graduating from college is a major educational milestone. It also marks the beginning of another journey: student loan repayment. As of the second quarter of 2025, nearly 1.5 million federal student loan borrowers were 31 to 90 days delinquent on their loans after missing important payment deadlines.

To avoid unnecessary fees or default, it’s critical to understand your repayment timeline from the moment you leave school. Here’s a breakdown of when repayment starts, which dates to mark, and how to stay ahead of schedule.

Current private student loan rates

Key dates on your student loan repayment timeline

Your student loan repayment typically does not begin immediately after graduation. However, you shouldn’t wait to start preparing to pay it back. Below are important milestones to know:

The end of your grace period

Most student loans come with a grace period, which is a fixed period of time after you graduate or leave school when you aren’t required to make payments. Common grace periods include:

Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans: 6 months
Grad PLUS loans: 6 months
Parent PLUS loans: 6 months, but deferment must be requested
Private undergraduate loans: Varies by lender; typically 6 to 36 months
Private graduate loans: Varies by lender; typically 9 to 36 months

Important

Once the grace period ends, repayment begins — and interest may capitalize, which means it’s added to your principal balance.

The date your first payment is due

Your loan servicer will send you a repayment schedule with your due date, amount, and repayment plan details. Your first payment will likely be scheduled shortly after the grace period ends.

Editor insight: “I recommend setting a reminder for yourself a few weeks before your first student loan payment. That gives you plenty of time to make sure things such as autopay are set up or to request a different due date or other changes.”

— Richard Richtmyer, Student Loans Managing Editor, Credible

When interest starts to capitalize

If you didn’t make interest payments during a deferment or your grace period, that unpaid interest may capitalize.

Common triggers include:

End of grace period
End of deferment
Leaving the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan
Failing to recertify your income-driven repayment (IDR) plan on time

Capitalized interest increases your balance and the total interest you’ll pay over time.

When you need to recertify for an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan

If you have federal loans and are on an IDR plan, you need to recertify your plan annually, unless you consented to autorecertification. If you don’t, your monthly payment could increase, and you might miss out on forgiveness credit.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employment certification

If you're pursuing PSLF, your employer must verify your employment annually (or any time you change jobs). Missing this certification could delay or jeopardize your forgiveness progress. Mark a recurring annual reminder to submit your PSLF certification through the StudentAid.gov portal.

How to stay on track with your repayment timeline

Even the most organized borrowers can overlook a key date. Here are simple ways to keep everything in check:

Use your smartphone calendar or a budgeting app like Rocket Money or CalendarBudget to track deadlines.
Set up autopay to avoid missed payments (and possibly receive a rate discount).
Log in regularly to your loan servicer account or StudentAid.gov to monitor your balance and repayment plan.
Contact your servicer if you anticipate financial hardship — deferment or forbearance options may be available.

FAQ

When does repayment begin after graduation?

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For most federal loans, repayment begins six months after you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. Private lenders may have different rules.

Can I change my monthly student loan due date?

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Yes, you can change the due date for student loans. Contact your loan servicer to request a due date that aligns better with your payday.

What happens if I miss a student loan payment?

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Your loan becomes delinquent the day after your due date. Federal loans enter default after 270 days of nonpayment; private loans often default after 90 days.

How often do I need to recertify my IDR plan?

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You need to recertify your student loan IDR plan every 12 months, unless you opted in for autorecertification.

Should I include extra student loan payments in my calendar?

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You should include extra payments toward your student loan, especially if you’re planning to make extra payments toward the principal. This can help you stay consistent, track payoff goals, and save on the total interest you pay on the loan.

Meet the expert:

Kelly Larsen

Kelly Larsen is a student loans editor at Credible. She has spent over 10 years covering personal finance, with expertise in mortgage and debt management.