Maintenance Loan
Undergraduate home students can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs.
The amount you'll get depends on your family income and is calculated by Student Finance England. You will have to pay the loan back.
Eligibility
Eligibility for funding depends on several factors, including the following:
- Your place of study is a recognised degree provider
- Your course is an officially recognised award
- You are a UK or Irish citizen
If you have already have a degree, and have received a Maintenance loan, you may not be eligible for further funding.
A comprehensive list of the Maintenance loan eligibility criteria is available on the Student Finance England website.
How much can I get?
The maximum loans available for the 2025-26 academic year are:
- Up to £8,877 if you're living at home
- Up to £10,544 if you're living away from home, for example in student accommodation
- Up to £12,076 if you spend a year of your course studying abroad
- If you’re 60 or over on the first day of the first academic year of your course, you will get £4,461.
- If you do not complete the household income section on the application form, your application will not be means-tested and you will be awarded the lowest amount.
The money is paid in instalments, at the start of each academic term.
Maintenance loan table for students living at home
| Household income | Loan amount |
|---|---|
| <£25,000 | £8,877 |
| £30,000 | £8,132 |
| £35,000 | £7,387 |
| £40,000 | £6,642 |
| £42,875 | £6,214 |
| £45,000 | £5,897 |
| £50,000 | £5,152 |
| £55,000 | £4,407 |
| >£58,307 | £3,907 |
Maintenance loan table for students living away from home
| Household income | Loan amount |
|---|---|
| <£25,000 | £10,544 |
| £30,000 | £9,791 |
| £35,000 | £9,038 |
| £40,000 | £8,285 |
| £42,875 | £7,852 |
| £45,000 | £7,532 |
| £50,000 | £6,779 |
| £55,000 | £6,026 |
| £60,000 | £5,273 |
| >£62,347 | £4,915 (lowest) |
Maintenance loan table for students eligible for qualifying benefits
| Household income | Living away from home | Living at home |
|---|---|---|
| <£25,000 | £12,019 | £10,473 |
| £30,000 | £10,854 | £9,282 |
| £35,000 | £9,688 | £8,090 |
| £40,000 | £8,522 | £6,899 |
| £42,875 | £7,852 | £6,213 |
| £45,000 | £7,532 | £5,897 |
| £50,000 | £6,779 | £5,152 |
| £55,000 | £6,026 | £4,406 |
| £60,000 | £5,273 | £3,907 (lowest) |
| >£62,394 | £4,915 (lowest) | £3,907 |
Repayments
Repayments begin when you have completed or withdrawn from the course and are earning over £25,000.
The deduction rate is 9% of any earnings over £25,000. The payments are automatically deducted from your earnings, like a tax. The repayments continue until the debt has been paid off in full.
After 40 years, if any debt remains outstanding, the remaining debt is written off.
How do I apply for the Maintenance loan?
You can apply for the Maintenance loan through Student Finance England.
When will I receive the loan?
You will receive the Maintenance loan in three instalments. The loan will be paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term.