Maintenance Loan 2026/27

Full-time undergraduates from England. Household income is parents' or partner's income before tax for 2024/25.

£
Your loan
A year
£7,739
of a possible £10,830
Expected family contribution
£3,091
the gap to the full loan
Per term
£2,580 · £2,580 · £2,579
three instalments
Minimum
£5,048
from £62,410 of income

The loan falls by £1 for every £6.47 of income above £25,000.

Loan by household income

Courses starting August 2016 or later. Figures are rounded to the pound.

Household incomeLiving with parentsAway from home, outside LondonAway from home, in London
Up to £25,000£9,118£10,830£14,135
£30,000£8,353£10,057£13,349
£35,000£7,589£9,284£12,563
£40,000£6,824£8,512£11,777
£45,000£6,060£7,739£10,990
£50,000£5,295£6,966£10,204
£55,000£4,531£6,193£9,418
£60,000£4,019£5,420£8,632
£65,000£4,019£5,048£7,846
£70,000£4,019£5,048£7,060
£75,000£4,019£5,048£7,039
How the assessment works

Whose income counts?

Your parents' if you are under 25 and depend on them, your partner's if you are married or over 25 and living together, and your own unearned income. Student Finance England uses the 2024/25 tax year.

Income has dropped since then

A fall of 15% or more lets the household ask for a current-year income assessment instead.

Started before August 2016

No contribution up to £42,875, then £1 off for every £7.1 of income until 65% of the full loan remains.

A year abroad

The maximum for a study year overseas is £12,403. It is income assessed in the same way; Student Finance England quotes the exact figure.

How it is paid

Three instalments, one at the start of each term, once the university confirms you have registered. It is a loan: it is added to your balance and repaid through your repayment plan.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Wales

Student Finance Wales pays a mix of grant and loan that adds up to the same total for everyone, with the grant share falling as income rises. Student Finance Wales

Scotland

SAAS combines a bursary and a loan, with the bursary for lower household incomes. SAAS

Northern Ireland

Student Finance NI pays a lower loan alongside a means-tested grant. Student Finance NI

About these estimates

Estimates, not financial advice. Check the assumptions and sources on this page before making a decision.

Limitations

Results may be inaccurate and government policy can change. Do your own research. You use this information at your own risk; we cannot accept liability if things go wrong.