How much is the student maintenance loan 2026/27?

For students from England in the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the maximum Maintenance Loan is £9,118 living with your parents, £10,830 living away from home outside London and £14,135 in London (less in your final year). How much you get depends on your household income: the higher it is, the less you get, down to a minimum. The GOV.UK student finance calculator gives an estimate.

When should I apply for student finance 2026/27?

As early as you can, so your first payment arrives at the start of term. You can still apply up to 9 months after the first day of your course's academic year. Apply at gov.uk/student-finance. Courses starting on or after 1 January 2027 use a different application.

Do parents pay for university UK?

Parents are not legally required to pay for university. However, the maintenance loan amount is based on household income — students from higher-income families receive a smaller loan. GOV.UK suggests family contributions as one way to fill the gap, but there is no legal obligation.

Student Finance 2026/27: How Much You'll Get & How to Apply

Q: Do I have to pay back my student loan?

You only repay your student loan once you are earning above the repayment threshold. For Plan 5 loans (courses starting on or after 1 August 2023): On a Plan 5 loan you repay 9% of your income over £25,000 a year, and anything left is written off 40 years after the April you were first due to repay. See [student loan repayment thresholds](/tax/student-loans/student-loan-thresholds-2026-27/) for a full breakdown. Repayments are automatic through your payroll.

University costs are a major financial commitment. Here is what students from England can get for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, and how repayments work. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own systems (see below).

Student finance is changing for courses starting on or after 1 January 2027: check GOV.UK if that’s you.

Tuition Fee Loan 2026/27

Detail	Information
Maximum Tuition Fee Loan	£9,790 a year (full-time, England)
Who gets the money	Paid directly to your university or college
You pay upfront	Nothing, if the loan covers your fee
Repayment	Once you’ve left your course and earn above your plan’s threshold

Maintenance Loan 2026/27

The Maintenance Loan helps with living costs (rent, food, books, travel). How much you get depends on where you live while studying and your household income. It’s paid into your bank account at the start of each term.

Maximum Rates

Living situation	Maximum a year	Final year
Living with your parents	£9,118	£8,579
Living away from home, outside London	£10,830	£10,242
Living away from home, in London	£14,135	£13,096
Year of a UK course studying abroad	£12,403

You get less in your final year because payments stop after the last day of term.

How Household Income Affects Your Loan

The higher your household income (usually your parents’ income), the less you get, down to a minimum amount. Care leavers can borrow the maximum from 2026/27 regardless of household income. GOV.UK says you may not get the full amount, and suggests part-time work, bursaries, scholarships or family contributions to fill the gap. Use the student finance calculator for an estimate based on your household income.

How to Apply

Step	Details
1	Create an account at gov.uk/student-finance
2	Complete the application (personal details, course, income)
3	Parents or partner confirm household income separately
4	Your account shows how much you’ll get (usually within 4 weeks)
5	Maintenance Loan paid at the start of each term

Apply as early as you can so money arrives for the start of term. You can still apply up to 9 months after the first day of your course’s academic year.

Repayment Plans

Plan 5. On a Plan 5 loan you repay 9% of your income over £25,000 a year, and anything left is written off 40 years after the April you were first due to repay.

You repay only on income over £25,000 a year.
You repay 9% of your income over that threshold.
Anything left is written off 40 years after the April you were first due to repay.

Feature	Plan 5 (courses from 1 August 2023)	Plan 2 (courses from September 2012 to July 2023)	Plan 1 (earlier courses)
Repayment threshold	£25,000/year	£29,385/year	£26,900/year
Repayment rate	9% of income above threshold	9% of income above threshold	9% of income above threshold
Interest rate now	4.1% (RPI)	4.1% up to 6%, depending on income	4.1%
Written off	40 years after the April you were first due to repay	30 years after	Depends on when you took it out
Collected via	Payroll (PAYE) or Self Assessment	Payroll or Self Assessment	Payroll or Self Assessment

Monthly Repayment Examples (Plan 5)

Annual salary	Monthly salary	Amount above threshold	Monthly repayment
£25,000	£2,083	£0	£0.00
£28,000	£2,333	£250	£22.50
£30,000	£2,500	£417	£37.50
£35,000	£2,917	£833	£75.00
£40,000	£3,333	£1,250	£112.50
£50,000	£4,167	£2,083	£187.50

Repayments come out of your pay automatically. If you’re self-employed, you repay through Self Assessment.

Total Borrowing at 2026/27 Rates

Living away from home outside London, borrowing the maximum each year, before interest:

Course	Tuition Fee Loans	Maintenance Loans	Total
3-year degree	£29,370	£31,902	£61,272
4-year degree	£39,160	£42,732	£81,892

Fees and loan amounts usually rise each year, and interest is added from your first payment, so the balance at graduation will be higher. Many graduates won’t repay it all before it’s written off.

Extra Financial Support

Grants and Allowances (Do Not Need to Be Repaid)

Support	Who it’s for	Amount (2026/27)
Disabled Students’ Allowance	Students with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty	Up to £27,783 a year, based on need (not household income)
Childcare Grant	Full-time students with children	85% of childcare costs, up to £199.62 a week for one child or £342.24 for 2 or more
Parents’ Learning Allowance	Full-time students with children	£50 to £2,024 a year, depending on household income
Adult Dependants’ Grant	Students with an adult who depends on them financially	Up to £3,545 a year
NHS Learning Support Fund	Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied health students in England	Training grant of £5,000 a year, plus other payments
University bursaries and scholarships	Set by each university, often based on household income or merit	Varies

Hardship Funds

Most universities have a hardship fund for students in financial difficulty. Apply through your university’s student services. Some students also qualify for Universal Credit while studying: eligibility depends on your circumstances.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Student finance depends on where you normally live, not where you study.

Where you live	Tuition fees	Living costs	Apply to
England	Tuition Fee Loan up to £9,790	Loan (income-assessed)	Student Finance England
Scotland	Paid for Scottish students at Scottish universities	Loan plus bursary	SAAS
Wales	Tuition Fee Loan	Loan plus Welsh Government Learning Grant	Student Finance Wales
Northern Ireland	Lower fees at Northern Ireland universities	Loan plus grant	Student Finance NI

Budgeting at University

Example Monthly Costs (Outside London)

Expense	Example monthly cost
Accommodation (halls or private rent)	£400–£700
Food and groceries	£150–£250
Bills (if not included in rent)	£50–£100
Transport	£30–£80
Course materials	£20–£50
Social and entertainment	£50–£150
Phone	£15–£30
Total	£715–£1,360

The maximum Maintenance Loan living away from home outside London works out at about £903 a month spread over 12 months. Students with a reduced loan may need part-time work or family support to cover costs. Earnings above £12,570 a year are subject to income tax. A budget planner can help you map out your income and outgoings from the start of term.

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