The RAP Plan just changed
everything about your dental debt.

Questions dental students ask about RAP

What is the RAP Bridge Calculator for?
It models the gap between what you can borrow federally under the new $50,000-a-year, $200,000-lifetime cap and what dental school actually costs — and shows how a private loan filling that gap stacks on top of your RAP payment.

What changed with Grad PLUS loans?
Grad PLUS, which let professional students borrow up to the full cost of attendance, ended for new borrowers as of July 1, 2026. Federal borrowing is now capped at $50,000 per year and $200,000 total — well short of the $300,000–$450,000 many dental programs actually cost.

How does the RAP principal match work, and when does it disappear?
If your monthly payment doesn't reduce your principal by at least $50, the government adds up to $50 toward principal automatically. That subsidy evaporates the moment your income rises enough that your payment naturally exceeds $50 toward principal — often right at your first recertification as a working associate.

Should I refinance my federal loans into a private loan?
Only the portion you're certain you'll never need forgiveness on. Refinancing permanently forfeits RAP's interest subsidy, the principal match, and PSLF eligibility — a lower private rate today can cost far more if your career plans change.

How can I lower my RAP payment?
RAP is calculated on your Adjusted Gross Income, so pre-tax 401(k), HSA, and SEP-IRA contributions all reduce it. Maxing a 401(k) at $24,500 can translate to roughly $163 a month in payment savings at the 8% bracket.

Is my data saved when I use this calculator?
No account is required and nothing is stored — the calculator runs entirely in your browser.

Keep reading

• The RAP Plan Panic — the full explainer this calculator is built from
• The Real Cost of Dental School in 2026 — what the new loan caps mean for your total cost of attendance
• Dental Student Loan Calculator — see your standard monthly payment and lifetime interest