How to Complete a Paper Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Application

There may come a time when you need to submit a paper income-driven repayment (IDR) application for your federal student loans instead of using the online option. While it may feel outdated and overwhelming, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the process smoothly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Your IDR Application

Section 1: Personal Information

You can download a PDF of the application here.

Start by filling out your personal details, including your name, Social Security number, and mailing address. Be sure to include your email address, even though it’s listed as optional.

If any of your personal information has changed (such as your address or phone number), check the box that says “Check this box if any of your information has changed” so they update it in their systems for you.

Section 2: Reason for Submitting the Application

In Question 1, check the box that best describes why you’re submitting the form:

• First-time application for an income-driven plan? Select the first box.
• Recertifying your income (required annually)? Select the second box.
• Recalculating your payment early due to income changes? Select the third box.
• Switching to a different repayment plan? Select the fourth box.

Follow the form’s prompts to see whether you should skip to Question 3 or continue to Question 2.

Question 2: Choose your preferred repayment plan. Do not let your loan servicer choose for you—select the plan that best fits your situation.

Question 3: If you have multiple loan servicers, indicate that here. This can happen if you borrowed at different times or consolidated with different companies.

Question 4: If you are in deferment or forbearance, answer accordingly. If yes, decide whether you want payments to begin immediately after approval or stay in your current deferment/forbearance.

Section 3: Family Size

• Question 5: How many children do you support financially (including unborn children)? Your family size always includes you and your children but may differ from the number of dependents you claim for tax purposes.
• Question 6: How many other individuals (excluding your spouse) do you support financially? Support includes money, gifts, housing, food, medical care, tuition, and more.

Section 4A: Marital Status

• Question 7: Are you single or married? Follow the instructions based on your answer.
• Question 8: If your spouse has federal student loans, provide their Social Security number, name, and date of birth. This is needed especially if you file taxes jointly, as payments are calculated based on household income and split proportionally between spouses’ respective debt loads.
• Question 10: If you filed taxes jointly with your spouse, select “Yes” or “No” to determine whether their income will be included in your payment calculation.

Section 4B: Single Borrowers & Married Borrowers Filing Separately

• Question 11: Has your income significantly decreased since your last tax return? If so, you’ll need to provide alternative income documentation (covered in Section 5B).
• Question 12: Do you have taxable income? If not, skip to Section 6. If yes, you’ll need to submit proof of income per Section 5B.

Section 4C: Married Borrowers Filing Jointly

• Similar to Section 4B, you’ll indicate whether your income has decreased and whether you or your spouse have taxable income. If so, you must provide alternative documentation per Section 5B.

Section 5A: IRS Consent for Tax Data Retrieval

This section asks for permission to automatically retrieve your tax return data for future IDR recertifications.

• If you want easier annual updates, check the consent box.
• If you plan to submit pay stubs or alternative documentation each year, decline consent so you receive a reminder to submit it yourself.

Section 5B: Alternative Documentation of Income

If your income has changed, you must submit proof of all taxable income for yourself (and spouse, if applicable).
Taxable income includes: Pay stubs, unemployment benefits, dividends, interest, tips, alimony, and K-1 income for S-Corp owners.

You do not need to provide documentation for untaxed income (e.g., Social Security benefits, child support, public assistance).

Your income documentation must be dated within the last 90 days, except for W-2s or previous-year tax returns.

Pro Tip: Attach a brief cover letter explaining:

• The frequency of your income (e.g., weekly, biweekly, monthly)
• The total amount you earn annually minus pre-tax deductions like contributions to 401k/403b/TSP, HSA, FSA, FSA dependant care, etc. (do the math for them)

Section 6: Borrower Certification & Signature

• If you’re switching FROM the IBR plan to another IDR plan (PAYE or ICR), you must check the box requesting a one-month reduced payment (write as low as $5). This is an outdated but required rule.
• If switching from another plan to IBR, leave this section blank.
• Sign and date on page 6, and ensure your name and Social Security number are listed at the top of each page.

No need to submit pages 7-13 (these are just instructions).

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Where to Submit Your Application

If this IDR application is part of a consolidation application, mail both forms to your chosen loan servicer using the correct address below and include the servicer’s name on the envelope:

Aidvantage
ATTN: ED Loan Consolidation
PO BOX 300005
Greenville, TX 75403-3005

MOHELA
C/O Aidvantage
PO BOX 300006
Greenville, TX 75403-3006

Nelnet
C/O Aidvantage
PO BOX 300007
Greenville, TX 75403-3007

Edfinancial
C/O Aidvantage
PO BOX 300008
Greenville, TX 75403-3008

CRI
C/O Aidvantage
PO BOX 300009
Greenville, TX 75403-3009

Note: Aidvantage processes all consolidation applications.

If you are not consolidating, submit the completed IDR form via:

• Your loan servicer’s online portal (document upload section)
• Mailing it to the servicer’s listed mailing address (found in your servicer’s portal)

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Final Thoughts

Completing a paper IDR application may seem daunting, but following these steps will help ensure a smooth and accurate submission. If you have any questions, check with your loan servicer before mailing your documents or schedule a 1:1 consultation with us to walk you through it.