Use this student maintenance loan calculator UK 2026 to find out how much you could receive in 2026–27. Your maintenance loan amount depends on where you study, whether you live at home or away, and your household income. Enter your details below for an instant estimate.
Regulatory Transparency & Disclosure: Student Invest Guide is an independent financial commentary platform. This calculator is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Estimates are based on Student Finance England guidelines for 2025/26. Verify your exact entitlement at gov.uk/student-finance.
Use this free, interactive calculator to estimate your UK maintenance loan for the 2025/26 academic year. Adjust your household income and living situation below to see your annual entitlement, per-term payment, and a realistic monthly budget breakdown in real time.
Student Invest Guide
UK Maintenance Loan Calculator 2025/26
Estimate your annual loan and monthly budget breakdown instantly
Where will you be living while studying?
Independent or mature students (25+): use your own income. Couples: use joint household income.
Estimated Monthly Budget
*NUS average UK student cost estimates. Actual costs vary significantly by city.
How Is the UK Maintenance Loan Calculated?
The maintenance loan is income-assessed by Student Finance England (SFE). Your household income — typically your parents’ combined income, or your own if you are 25 or over, have been married, or have financially supported yourself for at least 3 years — determines what proportion of the maximum loan you receive.
- Household income £25,000 or below: You receive the full maximum loan for your living situation.
- Income £25,001–£62,311 (non-London, living away): Loan reduces by approximately £1 for every £7 of income above £25,000.
- Income above £62,311: You receive the minimum loan regardless of situation.
- Independent or mature students: Assessed on your own income (and partner’s if applicable), not parental income.
2025/26 Maintenance Loan Rates by Living Situation
| Living Situation | Maximum Loan | Minimum Loan | Upper Income Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Away from home — outside London | £10,227 | £4,767 | £62,311+ |
| Away from home — in London | £13,013 | £6,647 | £70,000+ |
| Living at home with parents | £7,110 | £3,790 | £58,291+ |
3 Ways to Make Your Maintenance Loan Last Longer
1. Use a fee-free student bank account. Your maintenance loan arrives in three lump sums per year. A student bank account with a 0% overdraft buffer protects against short-term cash gaps. The best student bank accounts in the UK also come with free railcards, directly reducing your monthly transport costs.
2. Connect a budgeting app from day one. Linking your accounts to a free app like Emma automates the tracking most students fail to do manually. Emma’s free tier categorises every transaction automatically. See our full comparison of the best budgeting apps for UK students.
3. Invest any monthly surplus, however small. If the calculator above shows a surplus above £100/month, consider directing part of it into a Stocks and Shares ISA — accessible from £1 on platforms like Trading 212. Our complete beginner’s guide to student investing explains how to start safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much maintenance loan will I get as a UK student in 2025/26?
This depends on your household income and living situation. The maximum is £13,013 per year for students in London, or £10,227 living away outside London. Use the calculator above for a personalised estimate based on Student Finance England guidelines for 2025/26.
Is the maintenance loan paid monthly or per term?
The maintenance loan is paid in three lump-sum instalments — one at the start of each academic term. It is not split into monthly payments. Most students divide their term payment manually across the weeks ahead. A budgeting app makes this significantly easier to manage.
Do I have to repay my maintenance loan?
Yes. Repayments begin once your income exceeds the threshold (£25,000 for Plan 2 borrowers in 2025/26), at 9% of income above that figure, deducted via PAYE. Any unpaid balance is written off after 30 years. Full details at gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan. See also our guide to how UK student debt repayment works.
All calculator figures are illustrative estimates based on Student Finance England 2025/26 guidelines.
2026–27 Student Maintenance Loan Amounts: Maximum Rates
The student maintenance loan covers living costs during term time. For 2026–27, the maximum amounts are as follows depending on where you study:
| Study Situation | Maximum Maintenance Loan 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Living at home | £8,877 |
| Living away from home (outside London) | £10,227 |
| Living away from home (in London) | £13,348 |
| Studying abroad (part of UK course) | £11,659 |
These figures are confirmed by Student Finance England via gov.uk. Students from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate student finance systems with different rates.
How Household Income Affects Your Maintenance Loan
The maintenance loan is means-tested, which means the amount you receive reduces as household income rises. Students from households earning up to £25,000 per year receive the full maximum loan. Above this threshold, the loan tapers down incrementally. Students whose household income exceeds £70,000 will usually receive around 60% of the maximum loan — the minimum guaranteed entitlement regardless of parental income.
Income Thresholds at a Glance (Outside London, Away from Home)
| Household Income | Estimated Maintenance Loan |
|---|---|
| Up to £25,000 | £10,227 (maximum) |
| £30,000 | £9,400 (approx.) |
| £40,000 | £7,862 (approx.) |
| £50,000 | £7,024 (approx.) |
| £58,291+ | £6,612 (minimum) |
Always verify figures using the official government student finance calculator at gov.uk, as amounts are updated annually.
Does the Maintenance Loan Cover All My Living Costs?
For most students, the maintenance loan alone does not cover full living costs — especially in London where average student accommodation exceeds £9,000 per year. The typical shortfall is made up by part-time work, savings, or family contributions. The Student Loans Company (SLC) advises budgeting carefully across all three terms, as the loan is paid in three instalments aligned to the academic year.
Will I Have to Repay My Maintenance Loan?
Yes — the maintenance loan is combined with your tuition fee loan and repaid as a single debt once you finish your course. Repayments only begin when your income exceeds the repayment threshold for your plan. For most graduates who started university after 2012 (Plan 2), the 2026–27 repayment threshold is £29,385 per year. You repay 9% of income above that figure — automatically deducted through PAYE if you are employed. See our student loan repayment threshold guide for full details on Plan 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the maintenance loan paid in 2026–27?
The maintenance loan is paid at the start of each term, typically in September/October, January, and April. Exact payment dates depend on your university’s term dates and when Student Finance England processes your application. Late or incomplete applications can delay payment, so apply as early as possible — ideally before 25 May for returning students.
Does the maintenance loan affect benefits or Universal Credit?
Student loans are not counted as income for most means-tested benefits purposes, but the rules are complex. The maintenance loan may affect Universal Credit eligibility and the amount you receive. Check the current guidance on Universal Credit eligibility at gov.uk or contact the Department for Work and Pensions for personal advice.
Is the maintenance loan the same for postgraduate students?
No. Postgraduate students receive a separate Postgraduate Loan, not a maintenance loan. The postgraduate loan for 2026–27 is up to £13,348 for Masters students, intended to cover both tuition and living costs. The repayment threshold for the Postgraduate Loan is £21,000 per year (6% of income above this). See our student finance tax guide for further context on how loans interact with your take-home pay.
Can I get extra funding on top of the maintenance loan?
Yes. Eligible students may also receive grants, bursaries and scholarships that do not need to be repaid. These include the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), childcare grants, and university-specific hardship funds. Explore our guide to student bank accounts for ways to make the most of your student finances while at university.