How Much Student Finance Will I Get in 2026/27? Tuition Loans, Maintenance Loans and Household Income

STUDENT FINANCE SERIES · UK STUDENTS 2 OF 5

UK students track. This article covers Student Finance England, SAAS, SFW and SFNI. Coming to the UK from abroad? Start with how international students fund UK study, or see the full series.

Tuition Fee Loan: what it covers and where it goes

Tuition Fee Loan: what it covers and where it goes

The Tuition Fee Loan for 2026/27 covers the full cost of your course fees, up to the maximum cap set by the government. The loan is paid directly to your university or college, not to you. For 2026/27, the maximum tuition fee cap is see GOV.UK for the current rate, but the loan amount you can borrow is equal to the actual fee charged, up to that cap.

The Tuition Fee Loan is available to eligible students studying their first higher education course, including undergraduate degrees, foundation years, and some postgraduate courses. The loan does not depend on your household income or your own income. You apply for it through Student Finance England as part of your main application. Once approved, the loan is sent directly to your course provider in three instalments, usually at the start of each term, to cover your tuition fees.

You do not receive the money in your bank account. The loan is not means-tested, so every eligible student can borrow the full fee amount, regardless of their financial background. The fee cap for 2026/27 is set by the UK government and applies to all English universities and colleges that charge the maximum fee. If your course provider charges less than the cap, you can only borrow the actual fee amount, not the full cap.

The loan must be repaid, but only after you finish your course and earn above the repayment threshold. Repayments are taken automatically from your salary through the tax system, or through self-assessment if you are self-employed. The interest rate on the loan is linked to the Retail Price Index and your income, but the exact rate for 2026/27 is see GOV.UK for the current rate. You should note that the Tuition Fee Loan is separate from the Maintenance Loan, which is means-tested and paid to you to help with living costs.

Maintenance Loan bands for 2026/27

Maintenance Loan bands for 2026/27

The Maintenance Loan for 2026/27 is paid in bands depending on where you live during study and your household income. For living away from home in London, the maximum is £14,135. For living away from home outside London, the maximum is £10,830. For living at home, the maximum is lower, and for studying abroad, the maximum is see GOV.UK for the current rate.

The Maintenance Loan is means-tested, meaning the amount you receive depends on your household income. The full maximum loan is available to students with a household income of £25,000 or less. As household income rises above £25,000, the loan amount reduces on a taper. The taper rate is not a simple percentage; it is calculated using a formula that considers your living situation and income. For example, for a student living away from home outside London, the loan reduces by approximately £1 for every £5 of income above £25,000, but the exact reduction is see GOV.UK for the current rate.

There is a minimum Maintenance Loan amount that all eligible students can receive, even if household income is very high. For 2026/27, the minimum is see GOV.UK for the current rate. This minimum is not zero, so every student can borrow at least some money towards living costs. The loan is paid directly to you in three instalments, usually at the start of each term, into your bank account.

The bands for living at home are lower because your costs are assumed to be lower. For living at home, the maximum for 2026/27 is see GOV.UK for the current rate. For studying abroad, the maximum is higher than the domestic away-from-home rate to reflect higher costs, but it is still means-tested. You should check the exact figures on the GOV.UK website, as they are updated each academic year. The loan amount you receive is confirmed in your student finance entitlement letter, which you receive after your application is assessed.

What counts as household income

What counts as household income

Household income for student finance is the total taxable income of your parents or partner, depending on your status. It includes income from employment, self-employment, pensions, and most taxable benefits. It does not include certain deductions, such as pension contributions, and adjustments are made for other dependent children in the household.

For a dependent student, the household income is based on the income of the parent or parents who support you financially. If your parents are separated, the income of the parent you live with most of the time is used, but the other parent's income may be considered if they provide financial support. For an independent student, the household income is based on your own income and your partner's income, if you live with a partner. The definition of taxable income is the same as used by HM Revenue and Customs for tax purposes, so it includes earnings before tax but after certain allowances.

Certain deductions are made from gross income to arrive at the household income figure used for assessment. These include pension contributions made by the parent or partner, and an allowance for any other dependent children in the household who are not applying for student finance. The allowance for other children is a fixed amount per child, which is see GOV.UK for the current rate. This means that if your parents have other children, the household income is reduced, potentially increasing your loan entitlement.

Income from savings, investments, and rental income is also included if it is taxable. However, certain benefits such as Child Benefit, Housing Benefit, and Income Support are not counted as taxable income and are therefore excluded. You must provide accurate income details on your application, and Student Finance England may ask for evidence, such as tax returns or P60 forms. If you provide incorrect information, your loan could be recalculated and you may have to repay any overpayment.

Current-year assessment if income has fallen

Current-year assessment if income has fallen

If your household income for the current tax year is at least 15% lower than the previous tax year, you can ask Student Finance England to reassess your application using the current-year income. This is known as current-year assessment. You must provide evidence of the income drop, such as payslips or a letter from an employer.

The 15% drop rule applies to the household income used in your original assessment. For example, if your parents' income was £30,000 in the 2024/25 tax year, but it drops to £25,000 in the 2025/26 tax year, that is a drop of more than 15%, so you can apply for reassessment. The reassessment uses the actual income for the current tax year, which is the tax year in which your course starts. For the 2026/27 academic year, the current tax year is 2026/27, but you may be able to use projected income for that year if you apply before the end of the tax year.

To apply for current-year assessment, you must contact Student Finance England and provide evidence of the income drop. The evidence must show that the drop is expected to last for the whole tax year, not just a temporary dip. For example, if a parent loses their job, you would need to provide a redundancy letter and evidence of any new income. If a parent's income drops due to reduced hours, you would need payslips covering several months.

The timing of the reassessment is important. You can apply at any point during the academic year, but the reassessment will only affect your loan from the date you apply, not from the start of the year. This means you may miss out on some loan payments if you apply late. It is best to apply as soon as you know about the income drop. Student Finance England will recalculate your loan and adjust your payments for the remaining instalments. If you have already received payments based on the higher income, you will not have to repay the difference, but your future payments will be higher.

Independent students and estranged students

Independent students and estranged students

Independent students are assessed on their own income and their partner's income, not their parents' income. You are classed as independent if you are over 25, have been married or in a civil partnership, have financially supported yourself for at least three years, or have no living parents. Estranged students, who are under 25 and have no contact with their parents, can apply for support as independent students with evidence.

To be classed as independent because you have supported yourself for three years, you must have earned enough to live on without financial support from your parents. This is usually interpreted as having earned at least a certain amount each year, which is see GOV.UK for the current rate. You will need to provide evidence, such as bank statements or tax returns, to prove your self-support. If you are over 25, you are automatically independent, regardless of your financial history.

Estranged students are those who are under 25 and have no relationship with their parents, often due to a breakdown in the family. To be recognised as estranged, you must provide evidence from a professional, such as a social worker, teacher, or charity worker, confirming that you are irreconcilably estranged. The charity Stand Alone provides guidance and support for estranged students and can help you gather the necessary evidence. Once recognised, you are assessed as an independent student, meaning your parents' income is not taken into account.

Independent students may be eligible for a higher Maintenance Loan because their household income is based on their own earnings, which are often lower than their parents'. However, if you are independent and have a partner, your partner's income is included in the household income assessment. Estranged students may also be eligible for additional support, such as the Student Premium, but this is not guaranteed. You should contact Student Finance England as early as possible to discuss your situation and ensure you provide the correct evidence.

Using the GOV.UK calculator and reading the result

Using the GOV.UK calculator and reading the result

The GOV.UK student finance calculator gives you an estimate of your Maintenance Loan based on your household income and living situation. You input your course start date, living arrangements, and household income, and it returns a figure. The result is an estimate, not a guarantee, and may differ from your final entitlement letter.

To use the calculator, you need to know your household income for the relevant tax year, which for 2026/27 is the 2024/25 tax year. You also need to indicate whether you will live at home, away from home, or in London, and whether you are studying abroad. The calculator does not ask for details about other children in the household or pension contributions, so it may overestimate your income and underestimate your loan. For a more accurate figure, you should use the full application process.

The calculator result is based on the current loan rates, which are set by the government each year. For 2026/27, the rates are as published on GOV.UK. The calculator does not take into account any additional allowances or premiums you may be entitled to, such as the Disabled Students' Allowance or the Parents' Learning Allowance. It also does not consider your own income if you are an independent student, unless you input it as household income.

Your final entitlement letter, which you receive after applying, will show the exact amount you will receive. This may differ from the calculator result because the official assessment uses your actual household income, including any deductions for other children and pension contributions. The letter will also show the payment schedule, with instalments at the start of each term. If you believe the assessment is incorrect, you can ask for a reassessment or appeal. Always check the GOV.UK website for the most up-to-date information, as rates and rules can change.

How much maintenance loan can I get in 2026/27?

How much maintenance loan can I get in 2026/27?

For 2026/27, the maximum Maintenance Loan is £14,135 if you live away from home in London, and £10,830 if you live away from home outside London. If you live at home, the maximum is lower. The exact amount depends on your household income, with the full maximum for incomes up to £25,000.

What household income gives the full maintenance loan?

What household income gives the full maintenance loan?

You receive the full Maintenance Loan if your household income is £25,000 or less. For incomes above this, the loan is reduced on a taper. The taper rate is not linear, but the reduction is roughly £1 for every £5 of income above £25,000 for students living away from home outside London.

Does my parents' income affect my tuition fee loan?

Does my parents' income affect my tuition fee loan?

No. The Tuition Fee Loan is not means-tested, so your parents' income does not affect the amount you can borrow. You can borrow the full tuition fee up to the cap, regardless of household income. The Maintenance Loan, however, is means-tested and does depend on your parents' income if you are a dependent student.

Can I be reassessed if my parents' income drops?

Can I be reassessed if my parents' income drops?

Yes, if your parents' income for the current tax year is at least 15% lower than the previous tax year, you can apply for a current-year assessment. You must provide evidence of the drop, such as payslips or a redundancy letter. The reassessment will adjust your loan from the date you apply, not from the start of the year.

When is the maintenance loan paid?

When is the maintenance loan paid?

The Maintenance Loan is paid in three instalments, usually at the start of each term. The exact dates are shown in your student finance entitlement letter. Payments are made directly into your bank account. If you are studying abroad, payments may be made at different times, but still in three instalments.

LAST REVIEWED 2 SEPTEMBER 2026