2021-07605. Annual Updates to the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan Formula for 2021-William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

AGENCY:

Federal Student Aid, Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Secretary announces the annual updates to the ICR plan formula for 2021 to give notice to borrowers and the public regarding how monthly ICR payment amounts will be calculated for the 2021-2022 year under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.063.

DATES:

The adjustments to the income percentage factors for the ICR plan formula contained in this notice are applicable from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, for any borrower who enters the ICR plan or has his or her monthly payment amount recalculated under the ICR plan during that period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Travis Sturlaugson, U.S. Department of Education, 830 First Street NE, Room 113H3, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Direct Loan Program, borrowers may choose to repay their non-defaulted loans (Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans made to graduate or professional students, and Direct Consolidation Loans) under the ICR plan. The ICR plan bases the borrower's repayment amount on the borrower's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), family size, loan amount, and the interest rate applicable to each of the borrower's loans.

ICR is one of several income-driven repayment plans. Other income-driven repayment plans include the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan, the Pay As You Earn Repayment (PAYE) plan, and the Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment (REPAYE) plan. The IBR, PAYE, and REPAYE plans provide lower payment amounts than the ICR plan for most borrowers.

A Direct Loan borrower who repays under the ICR plan pays the lesser of: (1) The monthly amount that would be required over a 12-year repayment period with fixed payments, multiplied by an income percentage factor; or (2) 20 percent of discretionary income.

Each year, to reflect changes in inflation, we adjust the income percentage factor used to calculate a borrower's ICR payment, as required by 34 CFR 685.209(b)(1)(ii)(A). We use the adjusted income percentage factors to calculate a borrower's monthly ICR payment amount when the borrower initially applies for the ICR plan or when the borrower submits his or her annual income documentation, as required under the ICR plan. This notice contains the adjusted income percentage factors for 2021, examples of how the monthly payment amount in ICR is calculated, and charts showing sample repayment amounts based on the adjusted ICR plan formula. This information is included in the following three attachments:

• Attachment 1—Income Percentage Factors for 2021
• Attachment 2—Examples of the Calculations of Monthly Repayment Amounts
• Attachment 3—Charts Showing Sample Repayment Amounts for Single and Married Borrowers

In Attachment 1, to reflect changes in inflation, we updated the income percentage factors that were published in the Federal Register on June 02, 2020 (85 FR 33639). Specifically, we have revised the table of income percentage factors by changing the dollar amounts of the incomes shown by a percentage equal to the estimated percentage change between the not-seasonally-adjusted Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for December 2020 and December 2021.

The income percentage factors reflected in Attachment 1 may cause a borrower's payments to be lower than they were in prior years, even if the borrower's income is the same as in the prior year. The revised repayment amount more accurately reflects the impact of inflation on the borrower's current ability to repay.

Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.

Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site, you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site.

You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1087 et seq.

Robin Minor,

Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid.

Attachment 1—Income Percentage Factors for 2021

Income Percentage Factors for 2021

Single		Married/head of household
AGI	% Factor	AGI	% Factor
$12,596	55.00	$12,596	50.52
$17,332	57.79	$19,875	56.68
$22,302	60.57	$23,684	59.56
$27,385	66.23	$30,964	67.79
$32,238	71.89	$38,359	75.22
$38,359	80.33	$48,180	87.61
$48,180	88.77	$60,425	100.00
$60,426	100.00	$72,676	100.00
$72,676	100.00	$91,051	109.40
$87,347	111.80	$121,666	125.00
$111,844	123.50	$164,531	140.60
$158,410	141.20	$230,104	150.00
$181,631	150.00	$376,006	200.00
$323,516	200.00

Attachment 2—Examples of the Calculations of Monthly Repayment Amounts

General notes about the examples in this attachment:

• We have a calculator that borrowers can use to estimate what their payment amounts would be under the ICR plan. The calculator is called the “Loan Simulator” and is available at studentaid.gov/loan-simulator. Based on information entered into the calculator by the borrower (for example, income, family size, and tax filing status), this calculator provides a detailed, individualized assessment of a borrower's loans and repayment plan options, including the ICR plan.
• The interest rates used in the examples are for illustration only. The actual interest rates on an individual borrower's Direct Loans depend on the loan type and when the postsecondary institution first disbursed the Direct Loan to the borrower.
• The Poverty Guideline amounts used in the examples are from the 2021 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia. Different Poverty Guidelines apply to residents of Alaska and Hawaii. The Poverty Guidelines for 2021 were published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2021 (86 FR 7732).
• All of the examples use an income percentage factor corresponding to an adjusted gross income (AGI) in the table in Attachment 1. If an AGI is not listed in the income percentage factors table in Attachment 1, the applicable income percentage can be calculated by following the instructions under the “Interpolation” heading later in this attachment.
• Married borrowers may repay their Direct Loans jointly under the ICR plan. If a married couple elects this option, we add the outstanding balance on the Direct Loans of each borrower and we add together both borrowers' AGIs to determine a joint ICR payment amount. We then prorate the joint payment amount for each borrower based on the proportion of that borrower's debt to the total outstanding balance. We bill each borrower separately.
• For example, if a married couple, John and Briana, has a total outstanding Direct Loan debt of $60,000, of which $40,000 belongs to John and $20,000 to Briana, we would apportion 67 percent of the monthly ICR payment to John and the remaining 33 percent to Briana. To take advantage of a joint ICR payment, married couples need not file taxes jointly; they may file separately and subsequently provide the other spouse's tax information to the borrower's Federal loan servicer.

Calculating the monthly payment amount using a standard amortization and a 12-year repayment period.

The formula to amortize a loan with a standard schedule (in which each payment is the same over the course of the repayment period) is as follows:

M = P × <(I ÷ 12) ÷ [1− {1 + (I ÷ 12)} ^−N]>

In the formula—

• M is the monthly payment amount;
• P is the outstanding principal balance of the loan at the time the loan entered repayment;
• I is the annual interest rate on the loan, expressed as a decimal (for example, for a loan with an interest rate of 6 percent, 0.06); and
• N is the total number of months in the repayment period (for example, for a loan with a 12-year repayment period, 144 months).

For example, assume that Billy has a $10,000 Direct Unsubsidized Loan with an interest rate of 6 percent.

Step 1: To solve for M, first simplify the numerator of the fraction by which we multiply P, the outstanding principal balance. To do this divide I (the interest rate expressed as a decimal) by 12. In this example, Billy's interest rate is 6 percent. As a decimal, 6 percent is 0.06.

• 0.06 ÷ 12 = 0.005

Step 2: Next, simplify the denominator of the fraction by which we multiply P. To do this divide I (the interest rate expressed as a decimal) by 12. Then, add one. Next, raise the sum of the two figures to the negative power that corresponds to the length of the repayment period in months. In this example, because we are amortizing a loan to calculate the monthly payment amount under the ICR plan, the applicable figure is 12 years, which is 144 months. Finally, subtract the result from one.

• 0.06 ÷ 12 = 0.005
• 1 + 0.005 = 1.005
• 1.005 ^ −144 = 0.48762628
• 1−0.48762628 = 0.51237372

Step 3: Next, resolve the fraction by dividing the result from Step 1 by the result from Step 2.

• 0.005 ÷ 0.51237372 = 0.0097585

Step 4: Finally, solve for M, the monthly payment amount, by multiplying the outstanding principal balance of the loan by the result of Step 3.

• $10,000 × 0.0097585 = $97.59

The remainder of the examples in this attachment will only show the results of the formula. In each of the examples, the Direct Loan amounts represent the outstanding principal balance at the time the loans entered repayment.

Example 1. Kesha is single with no dependents and has $15,000 in Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. The interest rate on Kesha's loans is 6 percent, and she has an AGI of $32,238.

Step 1: Determine the total monthly payment amount based on what Kesha would pay over 12 years using standard amortization. To do this, use the formula that precedes Example 1. In this example, the monthly payment amount would be $146.38.

Step 2: Multiply the result of Step 1 by the income percentage factor shown in the income percentage factors table (see Attachment 1 to this notice) that corresponds to Kesha's AGI. In this example, an AGI of $32,238 corresponds to an income percentage factor of 71.89 percent.

• 0.7189 × $146.38 = $105.23

Step 3: Now, determine the monthly payment amount equal to 20 percent of Kesha's discretionary income (discretionary income is AGI minus the HHS Poverty Guideline amount for a borrower's family size and State of residence). To do this, subtract the HHS Poverty Guideline amount for a family of one from Kesha's AGI, multiply the result by 20 percent, and then divide by 12:

• $32,238−$12,880 = $19,358
• $19,358 × 0.20 = $3,871.60
• $3,871.60 ÷ 12 = $322.63

Step 4: Compare the amount from Step 2 with the amount from Step 3. In this example, Kesha would pay the amount calculated under Step 2 ($105.23), since this is the lesser of the two payment amounts.

Note: Kesha would have a lower payment under other income-driven repayment plans. Specifically, Kesha's payment would be $107.65 under the PAYE and REPAYE plans. However, Kesha's payment would be $161.48 under the IBR plan, which is higher than the payment she would have under the ICR plan.

Example 2. Paul is married to Jesse and they have no dependents. They file their Federal income tax return jointly. Paul has a Direct Loan balance of $10,000, and Jesse has a Direct Loan balance of $15,000. Each of their Direct Loans has an interest rate of 6 percent.

Paul and Jesse have a combined AGI of $91,051 and are repaying their loans jointly under the ICR plan (for general information regarding joint ICR payments for married couples, see the fifth and sixth bullets under the heading “General notes about the examples in this attachment”).

Step 1: Add Paul's and Jesse's Direct Loan balances to determine their combined aggregate loan balance:

• $10,000 + $15,000 = $25,000

Step 2: Determine the combined monthly payment amount for Paul and Jesse based on what both borrowers would pay over 12 years using standard amortization. To do this, use the formula that precedes Example 1. In this example, their combined monthly payment amount would be $243.96.

Step 3: Multiply the result of Step 2 by the income percentage factor shown in the income percentage factors table (see Attachment 1 to this notice) that corresponds to Paul and Jesse's combined AGI. In this example, the combined AGI of $91,051 corresponds to an income percentage factor of 109.40 percent.

• 1.094 × $243.96 = $266.90

Step 4: Now, determine the monthly payment amount equal to 20 percent of Paul and Jesse's combined discretionary income (discretionary income is AGI minus the HHS Poverty Guideline amount for a borrower's family size and State of residence). To do this, subtract the Poverty Guideline amount for a family of two from the combined AGI, multiply the result by 20 percent, and then divide by 12:

• $91,051−$17,420 = $73,631
• $73,631 × 0.20 = $14,726.20
• $14,726.20 ÷ 12 = $1,227.18

Step 5: Compare the amount from Step 3 with the amount from Step 4. Paul and Jesse would jointly pay the amount calculated under Step 3 ($266.90), since this is the lesser of the two amounts.

Note: For Paul and Jesse, the ICR plan provides the lowest monthly payment of any income-driven repayment plan available. Paul and Jesse would not be eligible for the IBR or PAYE plans, and they would have a combined monthly payment under the REPAYE plan of $541.01.

Step 6: Because Paul and Jesse are jointly repaying their Direct Loans under the ICR plan, the monthly payment amount calculated under Step 5 applies to Paul's and Jesse's combined loans. To determine the amount for which each borrower will be responsible, prorate the amount calculated under Step 4 by each spouse's share of the combined Direct Loan debt. Paul has a Direct Loan debt of $10,000 and Jesse has a Direct Loan debt of $15,000. For Paul, the monthly payment amount will be:

• $10,000 ÷ ($10,000 + $15,000) = 40 percent
• 0.40 × $266.90 = $106.76

For Jesse, the monthly payment amount will be:

• $15,000 ÷ ($10,000 + $15,000) = 60 percent
• 0.60 × $266.90 = $160.14

Example 3. Santiago is single with no dependents and has a combined balance of $60,000 in Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. Each of Santiago's loans has an interest rate of 6 percent, and Santiago's AGI is $38,359.

Step 1: Determine the total monthly payment amount based on what Santiago would pay over 12 years using standard amortization. To do this, use the formula that precedes Example 1. In this example, the monthly payment amount would be $585.51.

Step 2: Multiply the result of Step 1 by the income percentage factor shown in the income percentage factors table (see Attachment 1 to this notice) that corresponds to Santiago's AGI. In this example, an AGI of $38,359 corresponds to an income percentage factor of 80.33 percent.

• 0.8033 × $585.51 = $470.34

Step 3: Now, determine the monthly payment amount equal to 20 percent of Santiago's discretionary income (discretionary income is AGI minus the HHS Poverty Guideline amount for a borrower's family size and State of residence). To do this, subtract the HHS Poverty Guideline amount for a family of one from Santiago's AGI, multiply the result by 20 percent, and then divide by 12:

• $38,359−$12,880 = $25,479
• $25,479 × 0.20 = $5,095.80
• $5,095.80 ÷ 12 = $424.65

Step 4: Compare the amount from Step 2 with the amount from Step 3. In this example, Santiago would pay the amount calculated under Step 3 ($424.65), since this is the lesser of the two amounts.

Note: Santiago would have a lower payment under each of the other income-driven plans. Specifically, Santiago's payment would be $158.66 under the PAYE and REPAYE plans and $237.99 under the IBR plan.

Interpolation. If an AGI is not included on the income percentage factor table, calculate the income percentage factor through linear interpolation. For example, assume that Jocelyn is single with an AGI of $50,000.

Step 1: Find the closest AGI listed that is less than Jocelyn's AGI of $50,000 ($48,180) and the closest AGI listed that is greater than Jocelyn's AGI of $50,000 ($60,426).

Step 2: Subtract the lower amount from the higher amount (for this discussion we will call the result the “income interval”):

• $60,426−$48,180 = $12,246

Step 3: Determine the difference between the two income percentage factors that correspond to the AGIs used in Step 2 (for this discussion, we will call the result the “income percentage factor interval”):

• 100.00 percent−88.77 percent = 11.23 percent

Step 4: Subtract from Jocelyn's AGI the closest AGI shown on the chart that is less than Jocelyn's AGI of $50,000:

• $50,000−$48,180 = $1,820

Step 5: Divide the result of Step 4 by the income interval determined in Step 2:

• $1,820 ÷ $12,246 = 14.86 percent

Step 6: Multiply the result of Step 5 by the income percentage factor interval that was calculated in Step 3:

• 11.23 percent × 14.86 percent = 1.67 percent

Step 7: Add the result of Step 6 to the lower of the two income percentage factors used in Step 3 to calculate the income percentage factor interval for an AGI of $50,000:

• 1.67 percent + 88.77 percent = 90.44 percent (rounded to the nearest hundredth)

The result is the income percentage factor that we will use to calculate Jocelyn's monthly repayment amount under the ICR plan.

Attachment 3—Charts Showing Sample Income-Driven Repayment Amounts for Single and Married Borrowers

Below are two charts that provide first-year payment amount estimates for a variety of loan debt sizes and AGIs under each of the income-driven repayment plans and the 10-Year Standard Repayment Plan. The first chart is for single borrowers who have a family size of one. The second chart is for a borrower who is married or a head of household and who has a family size of three. The calculations in Attachment 3 assume that the loan debt has an interest rate of 6 percent. For married borrowers, the calculations assume that the borrower files a joint Federal income tax return and that the borrower's spouse does not have Federal student loans. A field with a “-” character indicates that the borrower in the example would not be eligible to enter the applicable income-driven repayment plan based on the borrower's AGI, loan debt, and family size.

Sample First-Year Monthly Repayment Amounts for a Single Borrower

Family Size = 1
	AGI	Plan	$20,000	$40,000	$60,000	$80,000	$100,000
	$20,000	ICR	116	160	195	207	230
		IBR	9	—	—	—	—
		PAYE	6	172	—	—	—
		REPAYE	6	172	339	506	672
		10-Year Standard	222	222	222	222	222
	$40,000	ICR	119	319	390	413	460
		IBR	9	259	—	—	—
		PAYE	6	172	339	—	—
		REPAYE	6	172	339	506	672
		10-Year Standard	444	444	444	444	444
Initial Debt	$60,000	ICR	119	452	586	620	690
		IBR	9	259	509	—	—
		PAYE	6	172	339	506	—
		REPAYE	6	172	339	506	672
		10-Year Standard	666	666	666	666	666
	$80,000	ICR	119	452	781	827	920
		IBR	9	259	509	759	—
		PAYE	6	172	339	506	672
		REPAYE	6	172	339	506	672
		10-Year Standard	888	888	888	888	888
	$100,000	ICR	119	452	785	1,033	1,150
		IBR	9	259	509	759	1,009
		PAYE	6	172	339	506	672
		REPAYE	6	172	339	506	672
		10-Year Standard	1,110	1,110	1,110	1,110	1,110

Sample First-Year Monthly Repayment Amounts for a Married or Head-of-Household Borrower

Family Size = 3
	AGI	Plan	$20,000	$40,000	$60,000	$80,000	$100,000
	$20,000	ICR	0	151	195	202	222
		IBR	0	88	—	—	—
		PAYE	0	59	—	—	—
		REPAYE	0	59	226	392	559
		10-Year Standard	222	222	222	222	222
	$40,000	ICR	0	301	390	405	445
		IBR	0	88	338	—	—
		PAYE	0	62	226	392	—
		REPAYE	0	62	226	392	559
		10-Year Standard	444	444	444	444	444
Initial Debt	$60,000	ICR	0	301	586	607	667
		IBR	0	88	338	588	—
		PAYE	0	59	226	392	559
		REPAYE	0	59	226	392	559
		10-Year Standard	666	666	666	666	666
	$80,000	ICR	0	301	634	810	890
		IBR	0	88	338	588	838
		PAYE	0	59	226	392	559
		REPAYE	0	59	226	392	559
		10-Year Standard	888	888	888	888	888
	$100,000	ICR	0	301	634	967	1,112
		IBR	0	88	338	588	38
		PAYE	0	59	226	392	559
		REPAYE	0	59	226	392	559
		10-Year Standard	1,110	1,110	1,110	1,110	1,110