Student Finance Guide

Student Finance Explained Simply

This page explains how tuition fees, maintenance loans and extra support work for students in England.

See exactly how much funding you could receive. UniStart explains the rules in plain English and guides you through every step.

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Funding Calculator

Possible total funding

£12,000 - £18,000

Estimates only

This calculator provides estimates based on official 2025-26 SFE rates. Actual amounts may differ. This is not financial advice.

For accurate figures, use the official gov.uk calculator.
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What is Student Finance in the UK?

Student Finance is financial support that can help eligible students pay for university studies in the UK.

It typically can include:

  • Tuition Fee Loan

    , support for tuition fees, paid directly to the university.

  • Maintenance Loan

    , support for some living costs such as rent, transport or food.

  • Extra support

    , some students, such as parents or those with family responsibilities, may access additional forms of support.

The exact amount, eligibility and type of support depend on your personal situation, your UK status, your course and the decision of the official funding body.

How UniStart helps you with Student Finance

We help you to:

  • understand funding options in plain English
  • see what factors can influence eligibility
  • understand documents you may be asked for
  • navigate the application steps with more clarity

Important

UniStart is not part of Student Finance England, does not approve funding and does not guarantee amounts or outcomes. Final decisions are made by the official bodies.

Not sure if you qualify?

Talk to a UniStart advisor for free and find out the next steps for your situation.

Check your options

How Much Can You Get? (2026/27)

Student Finance for new full-time students includes a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan for living costs. These are the maximum amounts published by the UK government:

Type of Support Maximum 2025/26 Maximum 2026/27
Tuition Fee Loan £9,535/year £9,790/year
Tuition Fee Loan (accelerated degree) £11,440/year £11,750/year
Maintenance Loan (Living at home) £8,877/year £9,118/year
Maintenance Loan (Away from home, outside London) £10,544/year £10,830/year
Maintenance Loan (Away from home, in London) £13,762/year £14,135/year

Note: Maintenance Loan amounts depend on household income: the maximum is for lower-income households, and many students get less. Use the official calculator to estimate your own amount. The rules change for courses starting on or after 1 January 2027.

Source: gov.uk, new full-time students

→ Complete maintenance loan guide → How student finance works

Who may be eligible for funding?

Eligibility depends on several factors. UniStart helps you understand if it makes sense to explore an application based on:

  • Residency status

    – for example: pre-settled, settled status, UK passport, certain work visas or recognised refugee status.

  • Where you live

    – normally you need to live in the UK and have a certain number of years of residency.

  • Course type and provider

    – the course and institution must be eligible for Student Finance.

  • Previous study

    – in some cases, previous higher education can affect what you can receive.

In the UniStart app, you answer a few simple questions and we help you understand whether it makes sense to move forward and what to expect at each step.

→ Complete eligibility guide

What costs can be covered?

  • Tuition fees for eligible undergraduate courses.
  • A maintenance loan for living costs while you study.
  • Potential support with registered childcare costs.
  • Extra help for parents or adult dependants in some cases.

UniStart explains these rules in simple language, but always recommends checking the latest official information on the UK government website.

Do you have settled or pre-settled status?

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to get Student Finance. It depends on how long you have lived in the UK, your course and your study history, and Student Finance England decides each case. A UniStart advisor can go through your situation with you for free.

Talk to an advisor

Additional Grants (Non-Repayable)

Beyond loans, you may be eligible for grants that don't need to be repaid. These provide extra support for specific circumstances:

Childcare Grant

Up to 85% of childcare costs covered (£193.62/week for one child, £331.95/week for two+ children).

→ Read complete guide

Parents' Learning Allowance

Up to £1,915/year for students with dependent children. Helps with course-related costs.

→ Read complete guide

Adult Dependants' Grant

Up to £3,407/year if an adult financially depends on you during your studies.

→ Read complete guide

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA)

Up to £27,783/year depending on needs. Not means-tested. Covers equipment, support workers, and travel.

→ Read complete guide

Important: Some Student Finance support is non-repayable and depends on your circumstances. Check which grants you may be eligible for in the UniStart app.

How does repayment work?

Student Finance is a loan you repay, but repayments depend on what you earn, not on how much you borrowed. If you start an undergraduate course in England now, you are on Plan 5:

You repay only above the threshold

Repayments start the April after you finish or leave your course, and only if you earn over £25,000 a year. Below that, you repay nothing.

9% of income above £25,000

Example: on a £30,000 salary you repay about £37 a month. It is taken from your pay automatically, like tax.

Written off after 40 years

Any balance left 40 years after the April you were first due to repay is written off.

Interest is added to the loan, and the threshold and rates can change. Check the current figures on gov.uk.

→ Repaying your student loan (gov.uk)

How the funding journey works with UniStart

  1. Explore courses – Use UniStart to find courses that fit your location, schedule and goals.
  2. Check basic eligibility – Answer a few simple questions inside the app to understand your situation.
  3. Prepare for your university interview – We help you get ready so you feel confident and clear.
  4. Apply for Student Finance – We explain the steps, timing and documents the official body will ask for.
  5. Start your course – After your application is processed and approved, you begin your funded degree.

UniStart stays with you as a guide throughout this journey. You can always come back to the app to re-read explanations or ask for help from a real advisor.

Detailed guides for each step:

→ Student Finance England 2025 → Application timeline & deadlines → What if my application is rejected? → Guide for mature students
Download the UniStart app Read detailed funding guides

Common questions about Student Finance

Does UniStart apply for Student Finance on my behalf?

No. UniStart helps you understand the process and prepare your application, but you always apply through the official Student Finance system yourself (for example, Student Finance England).

Can UniStart guarantee that I will be approved?

No. No one can guarantee a Student Finance decision. We help you understand what is checked and how to submit a complete, honest application.

When will I know how much I can receive?

The official Student Finance body will send you a decision letter. UniStart explains the timeline and what each part of the letter means so you understand the result.

Do I start repaying while I'm still studying?

Normally, repayments start only after you finish or leave your course and your income is above the repayment threshold. Repayment rules can change over time, UniStart helps you understand the basics, but the official guidance on the UK government website is always the final source.

Does my household income affect how much I can get?

In many cases, maintenance support is based on household income. The funding body may look at your partner's or parents' income depending on your situation. UniStart helps you understand what "household income" means and where to check the latest thresholds.

Can I get funding if I studied at university before?

Previous higher education can affect what you are eligible for. UniStart explains the basic "previous study" and "equivalent level qualification" rules in simple language and always encourages you to double-check details on the official government websites.

When should I apply for Student Finance?

Applications usually open in spring for courses starting that autumn. For a September 2026 start, apply as soon as you can so your funding is ready when the course begins. Late applications are still possible, but your first payment may be delayed.

Will Student Finance affect my credit score?

No. Student loans do not appear on your credit report and don't affect your ability to get mortgages, car loans, or credit cards. The repayment is automatically deducted from your salary like income tax.

What is the difference between grants and loans?

Loans (Tuition Fee and Maintenance) must be repaid when you earn above £25,000. Grants (Childcare, Parents' Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants') never need to be repaid. Always apply for all grants you're eligible for.

Can mature students (over 21) get Student Finance?

Yes. There is no upper age limit for Tuition Fee Loans or Maintenance Loans. If you are 60 or over on the first day of your course, the maximum Maintenance Loan is lower (up to £4,582 in 2026/27). Mature students may also be assessed as independent (no parental income assessment) if they are 25 or over or have supported themselves for at least 3 years.

Still have questions?

Explore our comprehensive guides or get personalized answers in the UniStart app:

→ All funding guides → Complete SF guide → University application → Download UniStart → Contact support

Next steps from here

Funding is only one part of your journey. UniStart connects it all together for you.

Explore funded courses Read detailed guides Talk to UniStart