How does student loan repayment typically work after graduation?

After graduation, most federal student loans have a six-month grace period before repayment begins, giving borrowers time to find employment. The standard repayment plan spreads payments over 10 years with fixed monthly amounts, though other options exist such as graduated plans that start with lower payments that increase over time, or extended plans that stretch repayment up to 25 years. Federal loans also offer income-driven repayment plans that cap monthly payments at a percentage of your discretionary income, which can be helpful if your salary is low early in your career. Private loans vary by lender and typically have fewer flexible options. Borrowers can also pursue loan forgiveness programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, if they work in qualifying government or nonprofit jobs for 10 years.