Student Finance UK: Complete Guide 2026/27
Everything you need to know about applying for student finance in the UK. From application guides and deadlines to tracking your status and avoiding common mistakes.
Understanding Student Finance
Student finance helps cover the cost of university in the UK, including tuition fees and living expenses. Whether you're a new applicant or returning student, understanding the process is essential for securing your funding on time. Before you apply it is worth running your household income through our student finance calculator so you know roughly what you will be offered. Not everyone applies as a matter of course; some students weigh up whether the interest-bearing structure of the loan fits their beliefs before deciding, which we cover separately in our student loan ethics section.
Up to £9,790 per year paid directly to your university
Up to £14,296 per year for living costs based on household income
Grants and bursaries for students with disabilities or dependants
Application Guides
Step-by-step guides to help you navigate the student finance application process successfully. From when to apply to avoiding common mistakes that could delay your funding.
How to Apply for Student Finance
Complete step-by-step guide to applying for student finance. Required documents, online application process, and parent/partner income confirmation.
When to Apply for Student Finance
How early you can apply, why applying before you have a confirmed offer is fine, and how long an application takes to process.
Student Finance Deadlines
The dated deadlines for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, for new and continuing students, and what happens if you miss one.
Contact Student Finance: numbers and opening times
Official phone numbers, opening hours, webchat and postal addresses for SFE, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance NI, SAAS and the Student Loans Company.
Application Status Tracker
Understand what each application status means, expected processing times, and what to do if your application is delayed.
Common Application Mistakes
Avoid these common errors that delay student finance applications. Document mistakes, income declaration errors, and ID verification issues.
NHS Learning Support Fund & Bursary
What nursing, midwifery and allied health students get, and whether you can take a Maintenance Loan as well. The rules differ in all four UK nations.
Childcare Grant
Pays most of your registered childcare costs while you study, and it is not repaid. What it pays, and why you usually cannot claim it alongside Universal Credit childcare.
Special Support
If you are on certain benefits, part of your support can be designated Special Support, which the benefits office ignores as income while it counts the ordinary Maintenance Loan in full. What it is worth, and whether it is repaid, differs in all four nations.
Welsh Government Learning Grant
The name covers two different schemes. What the further education grant pays, what the higher education grant and loan package pays, and how Wales differs from England.
Student Loan Scams
Fraudsters target students the week payments land. What the Student Loans Company will never ask you, how to check, and what to do if you already clicked.
Eligibility Guides
Not sure if you qualify for student finance? Our eligibility guides cover residency rules, second degree funding, mature student options, part-time study, and disability support, plus how many years of student finance can you get.
Student Finance Calculator
Calculate your maintenance loan entitlement and estimate your future loan repayments using our comprehensive calculator.
Student Finance Calculator
Calculate your maintenance loan entitlement based on household income and living arrangements. Includes repayment estimates for all UK loan plans.
Student Loan Repayment Calculator
Project your loan repayments over time based on your expected salary. See when your loan will be paid off or written off.
Postgraduate Loan Amount Calculator
Applying for a Master's or PhD instead? See your maximum Postgraduate Loan, the per-instalment breakdown, and the gap against your fees and living costs.
Household Income & Parental Contributions
Your Maintenance Loan depends on household income. Understand how income is assessed, what your parents need to do, and what happens if there's a gap between your loan and living costs.
Household Income — How It Works
How SFE assesses household income, the income thresholds and bands for 2026/27, and how your income reduces or increases your Maintenance Loan.
Parents' Income Assessment
What your parents need to provide for SFE, the step-by-step process, timeline, and what happens if they won't cooperate.
Estrangement & Independent Status
How to apply for independent student status if you're estranged from your parents. Evidence needed, university confirmation, and support available.
Parental Contribution Explained
What the “expected parental contribution” really is, how it's calculated, the funding gap between your loan and costs, and how to negotiate with your parents.
Student Finance 2026/27 Quick Facts
| Item | 2026/27 Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum Tuition Fee Loan | £9,790 per year |
| Max Maintenance (London, away from home) | £14,296 per year |
| Max Maintenance (Outside London, away from home) | £10,830 per year |
| Max Maintenance (Living with parents) | £9,118 per year |
| Plan 5 Repayment Threshold | £25,000 per year |
| Application Opens | March 2025 |
| Priority Deadline | May 2025 (new students) |
Ready to Apply for Student Finance?
Use our guides and calculators to prepare your application and maximize your funding