Government Funding
Eligible students can access Student Loans for Tuition and Maintenance.
Tuition Fee Loans are non-means tested, whereas the size of a Maintenance Loan is partially determined by the finances of either the student, their partner, or their parents, depending on their circumstances. The Student Loans Company calculate the size of Maintenance Loans by looking into the income of a student's parents (including a parent's spouse/partner if the student lives with them). If a student is married or aged over 25 and living with their partner, then the income of the student's spouse/partner will be assessed to determine the size of the Maintenance Loan.
What about independent status?
Students who are classed as having 'Independent Status' will not receive a Maintenance Loan based on their parents' or partner's income. This applies to students who meet any of the following criteria:
- Aged over 25 at the start of the academic year
- Have been married prior to the start of the academic year
- Supported themselves for at least three years
- Have no living parents
- Are responsible for a child/children
- Are estranged from their parents
Additional Funding Options
Students with children or other dependents may be entitled to other funding:
- Parents' Learning Allowance: up to £1,669 a year, dependent on household income
- Childcare Grant: up to 164.70 a week for one child in approved childcare, or up to £282.36 a week for two children
- Adult Dependents' Grant: students with an adult who financially depends on them (other than their adult children) may be entitled to a grant worth up to £2,925
Re-payment of Student Loan
Upon finishing the course and graduating, the Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan are bundled together and start to accrue interest. Repayment takes the form of 9% of income above £25,000. This repayment is taken even if a student did not finish their degree.
| Annual salary before tax |
Approximate monthly repayment |
| £25,000 |
£0 |
| £30,000 |
£37 |
| £35,000 |
£75 |
| £40,000 |
£112 |
