Can I apply for extra financial support beyond the maintenance loan?

Yes. The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is available if you have a disability. The Childcare Grant supports students with young children. The Parents Learning Allowance helps parents in higher education. Many universities also have hardship funds and bursaries — always check with your university's student services.

Student Maintenance Loan Calculator 2025/26

Q: How much maintenance loan can I get for 2025/26?

Maximum maintenance loans for 2025/26 in England: up to £10,227 if you live away from home studying outside London; up to £13,022 if studying in London; up to £7,535 if living at parental home; up to £11,116 if studying abroad for a year abroad placement. Your actual entitlement depends on household income.

Q: How does household income affect the maintenance loan?

If household income is £25,000 or below, you receive the maximum loan for your circumstances. Above £25,000 the loan tapers down. At approximately £62,500 household income, you reach the minimum loan — around 65% of the maximum. Above that threshold, the loan stays at the minimum floor and does not reduce to zero.

Q: What counts as household income for Student Finance?

For dependent students (typically under 25, living with parents, no dependants of their own), household income usually means parents' or step-parents' gross taxable income for the tax year two years before the academic year. Independent students are assessed on their own income and that of a partner if applicable.

Q: Who counts as an independent student?

You are generally considered independent if you are aged 25 or over at the start of the academic year, have supported yourself financially for at least three years, are married or in a civil partnership, have a child or adult dependent, have been in local authority care, or are estranged from your parents. Student Finance England makes the final determination.

Q: Does the maintenance loan cover all living costs?

The maintenance loan is designed to contribute toward living costs but rarely covers everything, especially in London. Average monthly student living costs range from £900 outside London to £1,400+ in London. The gap between your loan and actual costs may need to be met by savings, part-time work, or additional support from parents.

Q: How does studying in London affect my maintenance loan?

Students studying in London receive a significantly higher maximum maintenance loan to reflect higher living costs in the capital. For 2025/26, the London maximum is £13,022 compared to £10,227 elsewhere. Your university's postcode determines whether you qualify for the London rate.

Q: What is the minimum maintenance loan?

There is a minimum maintenance loan floor — approximately 65% of the maximum for your circumstances — which applies regardless of household income above the taper ceiling. No eligible student receives zero maintenance loan simply because of high household income.

Maintenance Loan Entitlement Calculator — England 2025/26

Household income £ (parental or own if independent)

Estimated monthly living costs £

Where are you studying?

Living situation

Away from home At parental home

Are you an independent student?

No (dependent — parental income assessed) Yes (own income assessed)

Maximum loan for your circumstances

Your estimated entitlement

Monthly loan amount (÷ 9 months)

Monthly shortfall vs living costs

Annual shortfall to fund from other sources

England (Student Finance England) figures for 2025/26 only. Amounts are indicative — actual entitlement is confirmed by SFE after processing your application. These figures apply to new full-time undergraduates in the 2025/26 academic year.

2025/26 Maximum Maintenance Loans (England)

Away from home, outside London: £10,227/year
Away from home, studying in London: £13,022/year
Living at parental home: £7,535/year
Studying abroad (year abroad): £11,116/year

How Income Taper Works

At household incomes up to £25,000, you receive the full maximum loan. Above £25,000, the loan reduces gradually. At approximately £62,500 household income, you reach the minimum floor — roughly 65% of the maximum. Above this, the loan no longer reduces.

The taper formula: loan = max_loan − max(0, (household_income − 25,000) × 0.35 × max_loan / 37,500)

Independent vs Dependent Students

Independent students are assessed on their own income and a partner's income rather than parental income. You may be considered independent if you are 25 or over at the start of the academic year, have supported yourself for three or more years, are married or in a civil partnership, have dependants, or are estranged from your parents. Student Finance England makes the final determination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much maintenance loan can I get for 2025/26? +

Maximum loans for 2025/26 in England: £10,227 away from home outside London; £13,022 in London; £7,535 at home; £11,116 on a year abroad. Your actual entitlement depends on household income assessed by Student Finance England.

How does household income affect the maintenance loan? +

Up to £25,000 household income you receive the maximum. Above £25,000 the loan tapers down to a minimum floor at around £62,500 household income. The minimum is roughly 65% of the maximum for your circumstances — there is always a minimum entitlement regardless of income.

What counts as household income for Student Finance? +

For dependent students, household income typically means parents' or step-parents' gross taxable income for the tax year two years before the academic year. Independent students are assessed on their own income and that of a partner if applicable.

Who counts as an independent student? +

Generally, you are independent if you are aged 25 or over at the start of the academic year, have supported yourself financially for at least three years, are married or in a civil partnership, have a child or adult dependent, or are estranged from your parents. Student Finance England makes the final determination.

How is the maintenance loan paid? +

The maintenance loan is paid in three instalments directly into your bank account at the start of each term. You must register at your university each term to trigger payment. The autumn instalment is typically the largest.

Does living at home with parents reduce my maintenance loan? +

Yes. Students living in the parental home receive a lower maximum loan (£7,535 for 2025/26) compared to those living away. This reflects the assumed lower accommodation costs when living with parents.

How does studying in London affect my maintenance loan? +

Students studying in London receive the highest maximum maintenance loan (£13,022 for 2025/26) to reflect higher living costs in the capital. Your university's postcode determines whether you qualify for the London rate.

Can I apply for extra support beyond the maintenance loan? +

Yes. The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), Childcare Grant, and Parents Learning Allowance are available for eligible students. Many universities also have hardship funds, bursaries and scholarship schemes — check with your university's student services.

When do I start repaying the maintenance loan? +

Your maintenance loan is repaid as part of your overall Plan 2 student loan alongside the tuition fee loan. Repayments start from the April after you graduate, only if you earn above £27,295 per year. You repay 9% of income above that threshold.

Does the maintenance loan cover all living costs? +

Rarely. Average monthly student living costs range from around £900 outside London to £1,400+ in London. The gap between your loan and actual costs may need to be met by savings, part-time work, or parental support.

What is the minimum maintenance loan? +

There is a minimum floor — approximately 65% of the maximum for your circumstances — which applies regardless of how high household income is. No eligible student receives zero maintenance loan purely because of high parental income.

Is there a separate maintenance loan application? +

No. When you apply to Student Finance England for student finance, you apply for both tuition fee and maintenance loan together. However, if household income assessment is required, parents or partners must separately submit their income details each year.