Student funding, explained from scratch.
Never looked into this before? No worries! We will walk you through the whole thing - if you are eligible, how much you could get, how it affects your benefits and how you will pay it back - in plain English.
The 30-second version.
New to all this? Don't worry - almost everyone is. Here's the whole idea in three plain sentences before we go deeper.
You pay nothing upfront.
University isn't something you save up for. Two government loans cover your fees and living costs - you don't need a penny in the bank to start.
You only repay once you're earning well.
Repayments don't begin until you earn over £25,000 a year - and they come out of your pay automatically, like tax. No bills to remember.
It's wiped after 40 years.
Whatever is left after 40 years simply disappears. Most people never repay the full amount, and you'll never pay more than you can afford.
Am I allowed to get this funding?
Funding is for people who count as a “home student”. That mostly comes down to your immigration status and how long you've lived in the UK. Here's the simple version.
You're usually eligible if…
- You'll be 18 or over when your course starts (16+ for some courses).
- You've lived in the UK for 3 years before your course begins (refugees usually don't need to wait).
- You have settled status - British, EU settled, refugee, humanitarian protection, ILR or a Ukraine scheme.
- It's your first degree (there are exceptions if you've studied before - we'll check).
Statuses we help with
Every one of these has a clear route to home-fee status and student finance.
The whole process, start to finish.
From “I'm thinking about it” to repaying years later - here is every step, in order, so nothing is a surprise.
Check you're eligible
A quick, free check of your status confirms you qualify for home-fee status and student finance. This is where we start with you.
A few minutesChoose your course
Pick a university and course. The fees are set by the university - but you won't pay them yourself, so cost doesn't limit your choice.
When you're readyApply for your loans
You apply to Student Finance England online - usually before your course starts. We help you fill it in and gather the right evidence.
Best done by springGet approved
Student Finance writes back confirming your Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan. They'll tell you the exact amounts.
Takes ~6 weeksStart studying - money arrives
Your fees go straight to the university. Your Maintenance Loan lands in your bank account in 3 instalments across the year.
From day one of termRepay later - only when earning
Nothing happens until you finish and earn over £25,000. Then a small amount comes out of your pay automatically.
After you graduateHow much money could I get?
There are two separate loans - you can take one or both. These are the 2025/26 rates for England.
- Living at home with familyup to £8,877
- Living away, outside Londonup to £10,544
- Living away, in Londonup to £13,762
The lower your household income, the more Maintenance Loan you can get. We work out your exact figure with you - for free.
Will it affect my Universal Credit or benefits?
Often the loan and your benefits interact - so it's worth knowing before you apply. Here it is in plain terms.
Worried it'll leave you worse off? We work out your loan and any benefits together so there are no surprises. Always tell your benefits office you're studying.
How - and when - do I pay it back?
This is not a normal loan. You only repay when you're earning a decent wage, and it never grows beyond what you can afford.
| If you earn (per year) | You repay (per month) |
|---|---|
| £25,000 or less | £0 |
| £28,000 | £22 |
| £35,000 | £75 |
| £45,000 | £150 |
Example for a £28,000 salary: that's £3,000 over the threshold, 9% of which is £270 a year - about £22 a month.
Jargon buster.
Hearing these words for the first time? Here's what they actually mean - no finance background needed.
- Tuition Fee Loan
- The loan that pays your course fees. It goes straight to the university - you never handle this money.
- Maintenance Loan
- The loan that helps with living costs (rent, food, travel). It's paid into your bank account in 3 instalments.
- Home-fee status
- Being treated as a UK student rather than an international one. It means lower fees and access to student finance.
- Student Finance England (SFE)
- The government service you apply to for your loans. We help you complete the application.
- Plan 5
- The repayment plan for courses starting from August 2023 in England. Repay 9% above £25,000; wiped after 40 years.
- Threshold
- The salary you must earn before repayments start - currently £25,000 a year. Earn less and you pay nothing.
Still not sure? That's what we're here for.
You don't need to figure everything out on your own. Our expert advisors will help you understand your options, check your eligibility, and guide you through the application - all completely free.