- Maximum loan: £10,544/yr outside London, £13,762/yr in London (2025/26)
- Maximum for households earning below £25,000
- Minimum loan applies at household income above £70,000
- Paid in 3 termly instalments direct to student bank account
- Plan 5 (Aug 2023+): repaid at 9% above £25,000, written off after 40 years
TL;DR: Maintenance Loan Estimator 2025/26 Where will your child live while studying? Away from home, outside London Away from home, in London Living at home with parents Studying abroad (year out) Household income: £45,000 Estimated annual maintenance loan £0
Maintenance Loan Estimator 2025/26
How the maintenance loan is calculated
The maintenance loan is money students borrow to cover living costs -- accommodation, food, travel and materials. Unlike the tuition fee loan, it is means-tested against household income. The calculation follows a sliding scale between a lower income threshold (£25,000 for 2025/26) and an upper threshold (approximately £70,000). Below the lower threshold, the maximum loan applies. Above the upper threshold, the minimum applies. Between the two, the loan reduces proportionally on a linear basis.
2025/26 amounts by living situation
All figures are annual, published by Student Finance England.
- Away from home, outside London: £4,767 minimum / £10,544 maximum
- Away from home, in London: £6,341 minimum / £13,762 maximum
- Living at home with parents: £3,410 minimum / £8,610 maximum
- Year abroad or on placement abroad: £4,129 minimum / £9,836 maximum
The London rates reflect significantly higher accommodation costs in the capital. Students at institutions within the M25 broadly qualify for the London rate.
Reading the calculator result
The estimator above uses the same linear reduction formula applied by Student Finance England between the £25,000 and £70,000 thresholds. The monthly figure divides the annual loan by 9 (the approximate number of academic months). In practice the loan arrives in three termly instalments, not monthly -- the autumn term payment is the largest, covering the longest period. The estimate is illustrative. Actual entitlement is set by Student Finance England using the exact HMRC income figure and may differ slightly due to rounding.
Does the loan cover costs in full?
For most students from households earning above £35,000 outside London, the maintenance loan does not fully cover accommodation alone. Average university halls cost £650-£850 per month. Private rents near universities average £850-£1,100 in many cities. At £50,000 household income the estimated loan is approximately £7,300 per year -- around £812 per month across 9 months, leaving minimal margin after rent before food and travel are factored in. London students receive higher maximums but face proportionally higher costs: median student rents in London now exceed £1,200 per month in many areas.
How the loan is paid
Student Finance England pays maintenance in three termly instalments directly to the student's UK bank account. Payment is triggered when the university confirms enrolment. The autumn term instalment is the largest -- typically covering mid-September through December, around 15 weeks. Students must be enrolled and attending for each payment to release. Withdrawal from a course stops further payments and may trigger repayment of any overpayment for that term.
Repayment after graduation
The maintenance and tuition fee loans combine into one student loan balance after graduation. Repayments begin the April after graduation but only when income exceeds the threshold. For Plan 5 borrowers (starting from August 2023), the threshold is £25,000 per year and the repayment rate is 9% of income above that. At a salary of £30,000 that is 9% x £5,000 = £450 per year (£37.50 per month), collected automatically via PAYE. Plan 5 loans are written off after 40 years.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The calculator covers English students applying through Student Finance England. Devolved systems differ significantly. Scottish students at Scottish universities receive a mix of loan and means-tested bursary through SAAS. Welsh students receive a higher grant element and a lower loan component. Northern Irish students retain a maintenance grant not available in England. Students domiciled outside England should check SAAS, Student Finance Wales or Student Finance NI for their applicable rates.
Frequently asked questions
Can a student receive more than the maximum maintenance loan?
No. The published maximum is the ceiling for Student Finance England. However, university bursaries, hardship funds, NHS Learning Support Fund payments and charitable grants can supplement the loan -- none of these reduce loan entitlement.
Does the loan amount change each year?
Rates are reviewed annually. Students must reapply each academic year for their entitlement to be reassessed. If household income changes significantly, the new year's entitlement will reflect that change.
What if household income drops mid-year?
A Current Year Income application can be submitted if household income is expected to fall by 15% or more compared to the previous tax year. Student Finance England recalculates entitlement and pays any additional amount in the next instalment.
Does the maintenance loan affect Universal Credit?
Student maintenance loans are taken into account as income by DWP when assessing Universal Credit for eligible student households. The loan is treated as income spread over the period it covers, which can reduce UC payments.
Is the loan written off if not fully repaid?
Yes. Plan 5 loans are written off after 40 years. Plan 2 loans (2012-2023 starters) after 30 years. Write-off is automatic and does not create a UK tax liability.
