Student Finance Guide

Student Finance Explained Simply

This page explains how tuition fees, maintenance loans and extra support work for students in England, who may be eligible, and what steps you'll follow when applying for Student Finance.

UniStart explains the rules in plain English, but all funding decisions are made by the official Student Finance body. Always check the latest guidance on the UK government website.

See Funded Courses Get the App

We explain funding rules – we don't make decisions

What is Student Finance in the UK?

Student Finance is financial support that helps eligible students pay for university in the UK. It is usually made up of:
Most forms of support are loans rather than grants — you repay them later depending on your income.

  • Tuition Fee Loan – paid directly to the university, covering the cost of the course.
  • Maintenance support – money to help with living costs while you study (for example rent, food, travel).
  • Extra support for some students – such as Childcare Grant, Parents' Learning Allowance or Adult Dependants' Grant.

The exact amount and type of support depends on your personal situation, where you live, where you study and your household income. Final decisions are always made by the official funding body (for example Student Finance England), not by UniStart.
This page mainly reflects how Student Finance works for students in England.

What UniStart does – and what we don't do

  • ✅ We explain funding options in plain English.
  • ✅ We show example scenarios for different residency statuses.
  • ✅ We guide you through the application steps inside the app.
  • ✅ We help you understand documents you'll be asked for.
  • ❌ We do not process or approve Student Finance applications.
  • ❌ We do not guarantee funding or specific amounts.
  • ❌ We are not a government body or Student Finance authority.

UniStart helps users understand and navigate the process, but the official funding body makes all final decisions and manages repayments. Always check the latest official information on the UK government website.

How Much Can You Get? (2025/26)

Student Finance support for 2025/26 includes both tuition fee coverage and living cost support (maintenance loan). Here are the maximum amounts:

Type of Support Maximum Amount 2025/26
Tuition Fee Loan £9,535/year
Maintenance Loan (Living at home) £8,877/year
Maintenance Loan (Away from home, outside London) £10,544/year
Maintenance Loan (Away from home, in London) £13,762/year

Note: Maintenance loan amounts depend on household income. These are maximum figures for households earning under £25,000. Even high-income households receive approximately 72% of these amounts.

→ 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.

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: Many students miss out on thousands in grants simply because they don't know these exist. Check all your eligibility options in the UniStart app.

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 for 2025/26 opened in March 2025. Apply as soon as possible to ensure your funding is ready when your course starts. You can apply up to 9 months after your course begins, but early applications avoid payment delays.

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. Maintenance Loans are available up to age 60 at course start. Mature students may also qualify as independent (no parental income assessment) if over 25 or self-supporting for 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