Student Finance England · 2026 guide

Student Finance England, explained simply.

Everything you need to understand tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, who qualifies, how to apply, and how repayments really work — in plain English. And when you're ready, we'll complete your application with you, free.

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up to £9,790/yr
Tuition fee loan, paid direct to your university
up to £14,135/yr
Maintenance loan (living away, in London)
£25,000
You repay nothing until you earn above this (Plan 5)
40 yrs
Any remaining balance is written off after this

What Student Finance England covers

Student Finance England (SFE) is the government body that funds higher education for eligible students in England. For most people starting an undergraduate course, it provides two things: a tuition fee loan that pays your course fees, and a maintenance loan that helps with living costs. You don't pay anything upfront, and you only start repaying once you're earning above a set threshold.

The single biggest myth we hear is "I won't qualify." In reality, most UK residents do — including mature students, parents, and people working full time. The rules are more generous than people expect; the hard part is applying correctly, which is exactly what we help with for free.
About the figures on this page: all amounts are the published maximums for the 2026/27 academic year and are shown as general guidance only. They are not a quote or a promise — your actual entitlement depends on your circumstances, and the government reviews rates every year. Always check the current figures and estimate your own amount using the official calculator at gov.uk/student-finance.

The tuition fee loan

The tuition fee loan covers the cost of your course, up to £9,790 per year for 2026/27 at most institutions (this is the maximum; figures change yearly, so always confirm on gov.uk). You never handle this money — it's paid directly from Student Finance to your university or college. That means you can study for a degree without ever receiving a tuition bill.

The maintenance loan

The maintenance loan helps with living costs — rent, bills, food, travel and study materials. It's paid in three instalments across the year, straight into your bank account, usually at the start of each term. Unlike the tuition loan, the amount depends on your circumstances:

For 2026/27, maintenance loans reach up to £14,135 a year for students living away from home in London (up to around £10,830 outside London, or £9,118 living with parents). We'll calculate your personal estimate during your free consultation — it's often more than people assume.

Who qualifies for Student Finance

Eligibility comes down to three things: your course, your residency and immigration status, and your previous study. Here's a quick guide to the groups we're most often asked about.

✓ Mature students

There's no upper age limit for the tuition fee loan. Maintenance loans have some age considerations, which we'll check for you. Being 25, 35 or 45+ does not stop you qualifying.

✓ Working professionals

Working while studying doesn't disqualify you. Your maintenance loan is based on household income, and many courses offer evening or weekend study.

✓ British citizens

British citizens ordinarily resident in England, who meet the three-year residency rule, are typically eligible.

✓ Settled status / ILR

People with Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status, meeting residency requirements, are usually eligible on the same basis as citizens.

~ EU citizens

Rules changed after Brexit. Those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may qualify — this depends on your specific status and residency, which we'll verify.

~ Independent students

If you're estranged from parents, self-supporting for a set period, or have your own dependants, you may be assessed as independent — often increasing your maintenance loan.

~ Second-degree students

Usually a first degree uses up standard funding, but exceptions exist for certain subjects and circumstances (see below).

~ Distance & part-time learners

Part-time and some distance-learning courses can attract tuition and, in some cases, maintenance support. Eligibility depends on course intensity.

This is a simplified guide. Immigration and residency rules for Student Finance are detailed and change over time. Nothing here is a guarantee of eligibility — we assess your exact situation, free, before you apply.

Residency and immigration status

To qualify for a tuition fee loan, you generally need to be "ordinarily resident" in England on the first day of your course and to have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for three years before it starts. Additional routes and exceptions apply to particular groups, including refugees, people with certain forms of humanitarian protection, and some family members of UK nationals or settled persons.

Because status is the area where applications most often go wrong, it's the first thing we check. Getting it right the first time avoids rejections and delays that can push back your funding — and your start date.

Part-time and full-time study

Full-time students can apply for both a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan. Part-time students can apply for a tuition fee loan, and — if the course is intensive enough (usually at least 25% of an equivalent full-time course) — may also qualify for a maintenance loan. Part-time study is a popular route for people balancing work and family, and it's fully fundable in many cases.

Second degrees and previous study

If you already hold a degree, standard funding is usually not available for a second one — but there are important exceptions:

Previous study is the most misunderstood part of Student Finance. If you've studied before — even years ago, even if you didn't finish — tell us. There are more funded routes than most people realise.

How to apply — step by step

Create your accountSet up an online Student Finance account (or sign in if you've used one before). We'll guide you through this so nothing is entered incorrectly.
Enter your course and personal detailsYour chosen course, university, and personal and residency information. Accuracy here is what prevents delays later.
Apply for the loansRequest your tuition fee loan and, if applicable, your means-tested maintenance loan.
Provide household income detailsIf you want the full maintenance loan, your household (parents or partner, depending on your status) supports the income assessment.
Send supporting evidenceIdentity and status documents as requested. We tell you exactly what's needed so you send the right things once.
Get approved & confirm at enrolmentYou'll receive your entitlement letter. Payments release once your university confirms you've enrolled.

Documents you'll usually need

Exact requirements vary by individual. Our free checklist and adviser walk you through precisely what to gather so nothing is missing when you apply.

How repayments really work

This is the part that reassures most people. Student loans don't work like credit cards or overdrafts. Under Plan 5 (for most new students starting from 2023 onwards):

In practice it behaves more like a graduate contribution than a traditional debt. For example, someone earning £30,000 repays roughly £37 a month — 9% of the £5,000 they earn above the threshold.

Repayment thresholds and terms are set by government and can change. We'll always explain the current terms clearly so you can make an informed decision.

Common mistakes that delay funding

✕Applying too late, so money doesn't arrive in time for the first term.
✕Getting residency or immigration status wrong, triggering a rejection.
✕Not declaring previous study — then losing funding partway through.
✕Household income evidence sent late or in the wrong format.
✕Assuming you don't qualify and never applying at all.
✕Mismatched course or university details that don't match the enrolment record.
Every one of these is avoidable. When we complete your application with you, we check each of these points before anything is submitted.

Student Finance FAQs

How much Student Finance can I get?
For 2026/27 you can borrow up to £9,790 a year for tuition (paid to your university) plus a maintenance loan of up to £14,135 a year if you live away from home in London — less if you live with parents or study elsewhere. Amounts depend on household income and change each year, so always confirm on gov.uk. We calculate your personal estimate for free.
Can I get Student Finance if I already have a degree?
Often a first degree uses your standard entitlement, but exceptions exist — including some healthcare, teaching and STEM subjects, top-up degrees, and Compelling Personal Reasons. Tell us your history and we'll confirm exactly what's available.
Am I too old to get Student Finance?
There's no upper age limit for the tuition fee loan. Maintenance loans have some age-related considerations we'll check, but many students in their 30s, 40s and beyond are fully funded.
Can I work while getting Student Finance?
Yes — there's no limit on how much you can work while studying, and having a job doesn't stop you receiving a tuition fee loan or a maintenance loan. Most of our students work while they study, which is why we focus on evening, weekend and blended courses.
How much can I earn before Student Finance is affected?
Your own earnings from a part-time job do not reduce your loan — you can earn as much as you like from working alongside your course. The maintenance loan is means-tested on household income, which means your parents' income (if you're under 25 and financially dependent) or a partner's income (if you're older or independent) — not your own term-time wages. We'll explain exactly how you'd be assessed, for free.
Do I need to tell Student Finance about my job?
You don't need to declare a part-time job you take during your studies — your own term-time earnings aren't part of the assessment. What Student Finance asks about is household income for the means-tested maintenance loan: your parents' income if you're dependent, or your and any partner's income if you're independent. If you're unsure which applies to you, we'll clarify it in your free consultation.
How long does a Student Finance application take?
Allow around six to eight weeks to be safe, especially in the busy summer period. Applying early is the single best way to ensure your funding is in place for the start of term.
What if my application is rejected?
Rejections are usually about evidence or status, not eligibility itself, and can often be resolved. We help you understand the reason, provide the right documentation, and reapply or appeal where appropriate.
Do I have to repay if I don't finish my course?
You repay based on income under the same rules regardless — 9% above the threshold, nothing below it. If you're considering leaving a course, speak to us first, as it can affect future funding entitlement.
Does Student Finance affect my benefits?
It can interact with some means-tested benefits in complex ways depending on your situation. This is worth getting personalised advice on — we can point you in the right direction as part of your consultation.
Free application support

We'll complete your Student Finance application with you

No forms filled in alone, no rejected applications, no missed deadlines. Tell us a little about yourself and an adviser will confirm your eligibility and next steps — free.

  • ✅ We check residency & status first, so nothing gets rejected
  • ✅ We calculate your personal maintenance loan estimate
  • ✅ We handle the whole application alongside your university offer
  • ✅ Completely free — we're paid by partner institutions, never by you

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