Your Stafford loans may offer some easier repayment options you can try. If you can get along without consolidating, you'll pay less interest. This is the cheapest plan, because it involves the least interest. Payments are still fixed each month but will be less than under Standard Repayment. This plan involves paying more interest, since the term is longer.
Payments start out lower and increase generally every two years.
Your monthly payment must be at least half what you'd pay under Standard Repayment. Term may extend to between 12 and 30 years, depending how much you borrowed. This plan also involves paying more interest. Each offers a repayment plan calculated as a portion of your income. Each plan requires you to prove your income to your lender, whether by sending copies of your pay stubs or granting permission for your lender to look at your annual tax returns.