How the maintenance loan works
The maintenance loan helps with living costs (rent, food, bills) and is paid into your bank account. In England for 2026/27, the maximum is £14,135 a year living away from home in London, £10,830 away from home outside London, and £9,118 living with parents. You get the maximum if your household income is £25,000 or less; above that, the loan tapers down to a minimum (£7,039 in London, £5,048 away, £4,013 at home).
The taper, explained
The loan falls gradually as household income rises. For example, living away outside London: £25,000 income gets £10,830; £35,000 gets about £9,285; £45,000 gets about £7,739; £55,000 gets about £6,194; and £62,410+ gets the £5,048 minimum. Every eligible full-time undergraduate gets at least the minimum, no matter how high the household income goes.
What counts as household income
Usually your parents' income (or your partner's if you are financially independent). The assessment for 2026/27 uses 2024/25 tax-year figures. If your household income has dropped significantly since then, you can apply for a reassessment based on the current year.
Repayment
The maintenance loan is added to your total student debt and repaid together with your tuition fee loan: 9% of earnings above the Plan 5 threshold of £25,000, written off after 40 years. Simulate your Plan 5 repayments.
Worked example
A student with household income of £40,000 studying away from home in Manchester gets an estimated £8,512 a year. The same student in London would get about £11,777; living at home, about £6,825.
Limitations
Estimates based on the published 2026/27 band tables with interpolation between £2,500 income steps; actual SFE awards may differ slightly due to rounding and individual circumstances (benefits, dependants, study abroad). Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run separate systems. Always confirm with the official calculator at gov.uk/studentfinancecalculator.