Maintenance Loan

What it is

The maintenance loan is a repayable loan from Student Finance England to cover day-to-day living costs. The amount you can borrow depends on your household income, study location, course intensity, and whether you live at home or away. Payments arrive in three instalments throughout the academic year.

Repayments only start after graduation when your income rises above the repayment threshold. Interest is linked to inflation, and the balance is written off after a set number of years, depending on your plan type.

Why it matters

Maintenance loans make UK study possible for students who cannot cover rent and travel through savings alone. They also provide proof of funds for landlords or visa applications if you are moving cities.

Applying early ensures Student Finance can verify your documents before the first payment date. Late applications are still accepted but may result in temporary self-funding until the loan is approved.

Common mistakes

• Assuming everyone gets the maximum: Loan amounts vary widely by income and location, so use the official calculator to estimate your figure.
• Forgetting to update course details: Moving universities or switching to part-time study changes your entitlement.
• Mixing maintenance loans with unsustainable credit: Budgeting with realistic loan figures reduces reliance on high-interest borrowing.

How UniStart helps

Our advisors walk you through the maintenance loan calculator and explain which income documents Student Finance usually requests. Inside the app, you can track when to submit evidence and receive reminders before instalment dates.

Next steps

• Use the UniStart app to estimate your maintenance loan with the built-in calculator.
• Book a consultation if you need help gathering household income evidence.
• Read our budgeting guide to stretch your maintenance loan safely throughout the term.