<prompt> Human: I have over 100K in federal student loan debt, which I have consolidated and gotten on the income-based repayment plan. My required payment based on my income is 195month. As of August 26, my total balance was 101,028 with 1,934 in unpaid interest. Today, two months later and after Ive paid 585 AugSeptOct, my total balance has increased to 101,448 with 2,355 in unpaid interest. My question is WHY?? Where did the last three payments I made go? I realize since my payment is so low, its only going to interest right now, but why is my total unpaid interest continuing to increase? What can I do?  <response>: The income based payment plans dont guarantee that youll actually be making forward progress. You are probably incurring interest of about 450 - 700 a month depending on your rate. Since you arent paying that much, your balance is growing instead of shrinking. All you can do to make progress is pay an amount greater than the interest you accrue each month. 