What financial help is available to students?
As well as student loans to cover tuition fees and living costs, there might be other ways of accessing the financial support you need while studying in higher education. Our guide looks at your options.
Key takeaways
In England, eligible full-time students can borrow up to £9,790 towards tuition fees for the 2026-27 academic year.
Maintenance loans can help with living costs. In England, eligible students living away from home and studying outside London could receive up to £10,830 in 2026-27, rising to £14,135 for those studying in London.
How much you repay depends on your repayment plan and your income, rather than simply how much you borrowed.
You may also be able to get extra support through grants, allowances, bursaries, scholarships or university hardship funds, some of which do not need to be repaid.
This guide will explore the various financial support options that students can tap into, helping to ensure that money concerns don't overshadow the university experience.
How do student loans work?
For many students, student finance is an important part of paying for university. Exactly what you can get depends on factors including where in the UK you normally live, where and what you study, and your personal circumstances.
Undergraduate student finance is generally split into two main areas: tuition fee loans and maintenance loans.
Tuition fee loan
A tuition fee loan helps cover the fees charged by your university or college and is usually paid directly to them.
In England, eligible full-time students can borrow up to £9,790 towards tuition fees in the 2026-27 academic year.
Student finance works differently in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check the rules for the nation you normally live in before applying.
Starting a course from January 2027? Student finance in England is changing under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. Different funding rules will apply to eligible courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, so check the latest guidance before applying.
Maintenance loan
A maintenance loan helps towards living costs such as rent, food and travel. The amount available can depend on your household income and where you live while studying.
For example, students living away from home and studying in London may be entitled to more than students living at home.
For full-time undergraduate students in England who aren't eligible for benefits, the 2026-27 rates are:
Loan for students who… | Maximum loan | Minimum loan |
|---|---|---|
Live at home | £9,118 | £4,013 |
Live away from home and study in London | £14,135 | £7,039 |
Live away from home and study outside London | £10,830 | £5,048 |
Study overseas as part of a UK course | £12,403 | £5,996 |
Students who are eligible for certain benefits may qualify for higher amounts.
How does student loan repayment work?
Student loan repayments are based on your income. You'll generally only make repayments once your earnings go above the threshold for your repayment plan.
For the 2026-27 tax year, the main repayment thresholds are:
Repayment plan | Who it generally applies to | Annual repayment threshold |
|---|---|---|
Plan 1 | Some borrowers from England and Wales who started before September 2012, and borrowers from Northern Ireland | £26,900 |
Plan 2 | Most undergraduate borrowers from England who started between September 2012 and July 2023, and some borrowers from Wales | £29,385 |
Plan 4 | Borrowers who took out their loan through Student Awards Agency Scotland | £33,795 |
Plan 5 | Most undergraduate borrowers from England who started on or after 1 August 2023 | £25,000 |
For Plans 1, 2, 4 and 5, you repay 9% of the income you earn above your plan's threshold.
For example, if you're on Plan 5 and earn £30,000 a year, you're £5,000 above the £25,000 threshold. Your repayments would therefore be 9% of £5,000, or £450 a year.
If you're employed, repayments are normally deducted automatically from your salary through PAYE. If you're self-employed, they're normally calculated through Self Assessment.
Interest and the point at which any remaining balance is written off also depend on your repayment plan. Plan 5 loans, for example, normally charge interest at the rate of RPI and are written off 40 years after the April you were first due to repay. Plan 2 loans have different interest rules and are normally written off after 30 years.
Personal Finance Expert
Our expert says...
“If you’re a student concerned about how you might fund your studies, don’t panic, help is available. Start by learning about tuition loans and maintenance loans that will help cover your learning and living costs, then check out what grants might be available. Because student financial support depends so much on your individual circumstances, doing your research is key.”
What other financial support can students get?
Loans aren't the only source of student funding. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for grants, allowances, bursaries, scholarships or help directly from your university.
Extra support for students on a low income
If you're struggling financially, your university or college may offer additional support through a hardship fund.
Most full-time students cannot usually claim Universal Credit, although there are exceptions depending on your circumstances – for example, if you're responsible for a child or meet certain disability-related criteria. Students who are eligible for certain benefits may also qualify for higher rates of maintenance support.
Disabled Students' Allowance
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) can help with study-related costs you face because of a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.
It can help pay for support such as specialist equipment, non-medical assistance or additional travel costs. Unlike a student loan, DSA doesn't usually need to be repaid.
Care leavers' bursary
If you're a care leaver in England, you may be entitled to a £2,000 Higher Education Bursary from your local authority.
From the 2026-27 academic year, eligible care leavers can also receive the maximum Maintenance Loan without their household income being used to calculate how much they can borrow. Your university or college may offer additional support too, so it's worth checking what is available.
Parents' Learning Allowance and Childcare Grant
Full-time students with dependent children may be able to get extra financial support.
For 2026-27 in England, the Parents' Learning Allowance is worth up to £2,024. The Childcare Grant can cover up to 85% of eligible childcare costs, subject to weekly limits. For 2026/27 these are £199.62 a week for one child or £342.24 for two or more, so they're worth including in a moderate refresh.
What you're entitled to will depend on your circumstances and household income.
Travel grants and university awards
You may be able to get help with travel costs if you're studying abroad as part of your course or undertaking certain medical or dentistry placements.
Universities and colleges may also run their own bursaries, scholarships and financial support schemes, so it's worth checking what's available directly with your institution.
Academic scholarships
Universities, charities and other organisations offer scholarships for a wide variety of reasons, including academic achievement, sporting ability, personal circumstances and your chosen subject.
Depending on the scholarship, funding could contribute towards tuition fees, living costs or other study expenses.
Student hardship fund
Universities and colleges may have hardship funds for students experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.
Support is generally discretionary, so how much you can get and who qualifies will depend on your institution and your circumstances. Contact your university's student services or finance team to find out what help is available.
Student bank accounts and credit cards
If you're starting higher education, a student bank account could help you manage your day-to-day finances. Many offer an interest-free overdraft while you're studying, and some come with additional perks.
Compare student accounts carefully, paying particular attention to the size and terms of any overdraft rather than choosing an account solely because of an upfront incentive.
A student credit card can also help you build a credit history if it's managed responsibly, but interest can be expensive if you don't clear your balance in full.
Further grants and bursaries
The landscape of grants and bursaries is vast and varied. From local charities to organisations, there are numerous avenues to explore based on individual circumstances. Charities that support students financially include Buttle UK, Turn2us, and The Prince's Trust.
How do I apply for a student grant?
Start by checking the official student finance website for the part of the UK where you normally live. It can show you what loans, grants and allowances you may be eligible for and how to apply.
It's also worth checking directly with your university or college, as they may offer their own scholarships, bursaries and hardship funding.
How often will I receive my student loan?
Government financial support is typically paid in three instalments throughout the academic year. In Scotland, however, payments are made monthly. Regional bodies like the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) and Student Finance Wales offer additional assistance tailored to their residents.
Do students have to pay council tax?
If everyone in your home is a fulltime student you do not have to pay council tax. Even if one person is not a student, you might still be eligible for a discount.
Can I get financial support as a postgraduate student?
Yes. Postgraduate funding is available, although the rules and amounts depend on where in the UK you normally live and the type of course you're taking.
In England, students starting an eligible master's course on or after 1 August 2026 can borrow up to £13,206 towards course fees and living costs. Eligible doctoral students can borrow up to £31,122.
You may also be able to get funding through scholarships, bursaries, research studentships or your employer.
How can I be sure I’m getting the most financial student support available?
To ensure you're receiving the maximum financial support, use the government’s student finance calculator.
You can use the calculator to estimate how much student loan you could get as well as any extra funding, for example, if you’re disabled or have children.
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