Student Loan DTI Shield

How student loans hit the DTI math

Enter each student loan and see the monthly liability under the calculation methods lenders commonly use — side by side.

Free tool, no login needed. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.

Buyer's gross monthly income

Student loans

Loan name

Balance

Documented payment (0 if none)

The DTI impact, three ways

Calculation method	Monthly hit	DTI impact
Documented payment (IBR/PAYE on file)	$0	0.0%
0.5% of outstanding balance	$0	0.0%
Deferred with documentation ($0)	$0	0.0%

Lenders don't all count student loans the same way. Some use the documented income-driven payment, some use a percentage of the balance when no payment is documented, and some allow $0 for properly documented deferment. The swing between methods on this file is $0/mo — that's the conversation to have with the lender before the offer, not after the file hits underwriting.

Illustration only. Calculation methods vary by loan program, investor, and lender overlay, and they change. This tool does the arithmetic — it does not determine which method applies to any borrower or whether anyone qualifies. Confirm the applicable method with the lender.