Student Finance
England Guidance
Student Finance England provides financial support to eligible students pursuing higher education in England. This support can help with tuition fees and living costs through loans, grants, and additional allowances.
Study now, repay later only when your income is above the threshold
Student Finance England provides loans that can help cover university tuition fees and living costs. Tuition Fee Loans are normally paid directly to the university or college, while Maintenance Loans are paid to the student to help with living costs. Repayments usually begin after you leave your course and only when your income is above the repayment threshold.
Tuition Fee Loan
Up to £9,790/yearCovers tuition fees and is paid directly to your university or college. The maximum for standard full-time students is up to £9,535 for 2025/26 and up to £9,790 for 2026/27.
Maintenance Loan
Up to £14,135/yearHelps with living costs including accommodation, food, travel, and study materials. The maximum depends on where you live while studying and household income.
Repayment
Only above thresholdFor Plan 5 undergraduate loans, repayments are generally 9% of income above £25,000 per year. If your income is below the threshold, you usually pay nothing.
Support available for eligible students
Tuition Fee Loan
This loan helps cover the cost of tuition fees and is paid directly to your university or college. Students do not usually need to pay tuition fees upfront.
Maintenance Loan
This loan helps with living expenses such as accommodation, food, transport, and study materials. The amount depends on household income, where you live, and where you study.
Additional Support
Some students may qualify for extra support depending on their personal circumstances, such as disability, childcare responsibilities, children, or adult dependants.
Extra support may be available
- Disabled Students’ Allowance: For students with disabilities, mental health conditions, or specific learning difficulties.
- Childcare Grant: For students with dependent children in registered or approved childcare.
- Parents’ Learning Allowance: For students with dependent children.
- Adult Dependants’ Grant: For students with an adult who depends on them financially.
Who may qualify for student finance?
Eligibility depends on your nationality or residency status, course, institution, previous study, and age. The information below is general guidance and does not guarantee eligibility.
Residency
You may need to be a UK national, Irish citizen, or have settled status, normally live in England, and have lived in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man for the required period before your course.
Course
Your course must be a qualifying course at an approved university, college, or higher education provider.
Age
There is usually no upper age limit for Tuition Fee Loans, but Maintenance Loan support may be reduced for students aged 60 or over at the start of the course.
How to apply for student finance
Set Up An Online Account
Visit the official Student Finance England website and create your online account.
Complete The Application
Provide your course details, personal information, household income details, and funding preferences.
Submit Evidence
Depending on your situation, you may need to submit proof of identity, residency, income, or other documents.
Await Confirmation
Student Finance England will assess your application and confirm your entitlement by letter or online account.
Repayments are based on your income
Student loan repayments usually begin the April after you finish or leave your course, but only when your income is above the repayment threshold. For Plan 5 loans, you generally repay 9% of income above £25,000 per year.
Example
If your income is £30,000 and the threshold is £25,000, repayment is calculated on £5,000. 9% of £5,000 equals £450 per year, or around £37.50 per month.
Tuition and maintenance loan changes
Tuition fee loan maximums and maintenance loan maximums have changed for 2025/26 and 2026/27. For standard full-time students, tuition support may be up to £9,535 in 2025/26 and up to £9,790 in 2026/27. Maintenance support also depends on living situation and household income.
Need Help With Student Finance?
Imperial Education Services can guide students through the student finance process, course selection, eligibility preparation, and application steps.
Understand Your Student Finance
Explore indicative undergraduate funding and calculate an estimated student-loan repayment based on annual salary.
A combined example using the maximum standard tuition fee loan and London maintenance loan for 2026/27.
Tuition Fee Loan
Up to £9,790 per yearNormally paid directly to the university.
London Maintenance Loan
Up to £14,135 per yearHelps eligible students with living costs.
Outside London
Up to £10,830 per yearFor eligible students living away from home outside London.
Plan 5 Repayment
9% above £25,000The percentage applies only to earnings above the threshold.
The maintenance loan available to an individual student can depend on household income, living arrangements, course details and eligibility.
Repayment Calculator
Enter a gross annual salary to see an illustrative Plan 5 repayment estimate.
Based on an annual salary of £30,000.
This is a simplified illustration, not financial advice or an official Student Loans Company calculation. Actual payroll deductions and eligibility may differ.