Understand how funding for university can work
Explore Student Finance England, Tuition Fee Loans, Maintenance Loans, previous study, postgraduate funding, additional support and the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement starting from January 2027.
When does your course start?
This matters because England is introducing a new higher education funding system for many courses beginning from January 2027.
Eligible students starting relevant courses before 1 January 2027 generally use the existing Student Finance England system.
Open GOV.UK guidance ↗Many eligible courses and modules starting on or after 1 January 2027 will use the Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding system.
Read LLE guidance ↗The student finance system that applies to you depends on where you normally live, not simply where your university is located. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland operate separate student finance systems.
Understanding the main types of support
These are maximum published figures for relevant students and courses. The amount an individual student receives depends on eligibility and circumstances.
Up to this amount for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2026–27 academic year where the relevant maximum applies.
Paid directly to the university or college.Maximum Maintenance Loan for an eligible student living away from parents and studying in London in 2026–27.
Household income and circumstances can affect the amount.Maximum Maintenance Loan for an eligible student living away from parents and studying outside London in 2026–27.
The amount can be lower depending on circumstances.Maximum Postgraduate Master's Loan for an eligible course beginning on or after 1 August 2026.
Paid to the student for course and living costs.Student finance is more than one loan
Different types of support serve different purposes and have separate eligibility rules.
Tuition Fee Loan
Helps eligible students pay course tuition fees. The Tuition Fee Loan is normally paid directly to the university or college rather than into the student's bank account.
Official guidance ↗Maintenance Loan
Helps eligible students with living costs. The amount can depend on household income, where the student lives while studying and other individual circumstances.
Maintenance Loan guidance ↗Postgraduate Funding
Master's and doctoral students use separate postgraduate funding arrangements. These are not the same as undergraduate Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans.
Postgraduate funding ↗Eligibility is based on more than nationality
Student Finance England considers several factors. Two students with similar courses can have different funding outcomes because their residence history, immigration status or previous study differs.
Use Official Eligibility Checker ↗Nationality or immigration status
Citizenship, settled or pre-settled status and other immigration categories can affect which funding rules apply.
Residence history
Where you have normally lived and for how long can be important when Student Finance England assesses eligibility.
Course and provider
The course, study intensity, qualification level and provider must meet the relevant funding requirements.
Previous higher education
Previous study can affect how much Tuition Fee Loan support remains available, although exceptions and different rules can apply.
Do not decide eligibility from status alone
Holding settled or pre-settled status can be relevant, but it does not by itself tell you exactly which Student Finance England support you qualify for. Residence history and the particular eligibility category also matter.
GOV.UK provides an official nationality and residency checker specifically for student finance eligibility.
Check My Eligibility ↗Studied before? Check your funding carefully
Previous higher education is one of the most important areas to check before assuming a new course will be fully funded.
Previous study can reduce Tuition Fee Loan entitlement
Under the existing system, Student Finance England normally takes previous years of higher education into account when calculating how many years of Tuition Fee Loan support remain.
Maintenance support may still be available throughout an eligible course even where Tuition Fee Loan entitlement is restricted, depending on circumstances.
An additional funded year may sometimes be considered
Where previous study was affected by serious personal circumstances, Student Finance England may consider evidence supporting compelling personal reasons.
Read SFE guidance ↗From eligibility check to payment
Apply using the correct Student Finance England route and keep the information in your account up to date if your circumstances change.
Check eligibility
Check nationality, residence, course and previous-study requirements before relying on an expected funding amount.
Estimate support
Use the official student finance calculator to estimate possible Maintenance Loan and additional support.
Apply
Submit the application through the official Student Finance England service using the funding route appropriate to your course.
Provide evidence
Student Finance England may request evidence of identity, residence, household income or other circumstances.
Register & receive funding
Maintenance payments generally begin after the provider confirms registration. Tuition Fee Loans are paid to the provider.
What might Student Finance England ask for?
Evidence requirements depend on the application. Only submit documents requested through an appropriate official or secure route.
Identity evidence
Evidence may be required to confirm identity and personal details.
Residency evidence
Some applicants may need evidence supporting residence history or immigration status.
Household income
Household income information can be needed to assess means-tested Maintenance support.
Supporting evidence
Additional evidence may be required for previous-study or compelling-personal-reason assessments.
Some students may qualify for extra help
Loans are not the only form of student support. Eligibility for grants and allowances depends on individual circumstances.
Disabled Students' Allowance
Additional support may be available to eligible students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions or specific learning difficulties.
DSA guidance ↗Childcare Grant
Eligible full-time students with dependent children may be able to receive help towards approved childcare costs.
Childcare Grant ↗Parents' Learning Allowance
Additional non-repayable support may be available to some eligible full-time students with dependent children.
Parents' Learning Allowance ↗Adult Dependants' Grant
Some full-time students with an adult who depends on them financially may qualify for additional support.
Adult Dependants' Grant ↗Bursaries & hardship funds
Universities and colleges can operate their own scholarships, bursaries or hardship support. Availability and criteria vary.
Extra financial help ↗Master's & Doctoral Loans
Eligible postgraduate students can use separate Master's or Doctoral Loan schemes, subject to the applicable rules.
Postgraduate funding ↗The Lifelong Learning Entitlement
Students starting from January 2027 need to check whether their course comes under the new LLE student finance system.
More flexible funding across eligible study
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement creates a credit-based funding system for many eligible courses and modules beginning on or after 1 January 2027.
GOV.UK LLE Guide ↗The published usual total is currently £39,160, with previous government-funded tuition study normally reducing what remains.
Eligible funding is linked to credits. A typical full-time bachelor's year is usually 120 credits.
Instead of relying only on the older years-of-study calculation, previous government-funded tuition affects the remaining LLE entitlement.
Eligible students can also apply for Maintenance Loans, subject to study intensity and other eligibility rules.
Repayment depends on income, not simply the balance
The repayment plan applying to a borrower depends on when and what they studied. Repayment thresholds can change over time.
The current annual UK repayment threshold for Plan 5 is £25,000. Eligible undergraduate borrowers generally repay 9% of income above the applicable threshold.
The current annual threshold for the Postgraduate Loan repayment plan is £21,000, with repayment generally at 6% of income above the applicable threshold.
Always check the latest GOV.UK information before using a repayment figure for financial planning.
Common questions students ask us
These answers provide general information. Student Finance England makes individual eligibility and entitlement decisions.
Can I apply before I have a confirmed university place?
Yes. GOV.UK states that you do not need a confirmed university place before applying for student finance. Course details can be updated later if necessary.
Check when to apply ↗Does settled status automatically mean I receive full student finance?
No. Settled status can be relevant, but Student Finance England also considers residence and the specific eligibility category applying to the applicant.
Check nationality and residence ↗Can someone with pre-settled status get Student Finance England?
Potentially, depending on the eligibility route and residence circumstances. Pre-settled status by itself does not establish the exact type or amount of support available.
Use the official checker ↗I already went to university. Can I receive funding again?
Previous higher education can restrict Tuition Fee Loan support under the existing system. Exceptions exist, and the new LLE system from January 2027 treats previous government-funded tuition through the remaining lifetime entitlement.
Previous study guidance ↗What if I previously left university because of serious personal circumstances?
Student Finance England may consider compelling personal reasons where previous study was affected by circumstances such as illness or another serious personal situation. Supporting evidence is normally important.
Compelling personal reasons ↗Is the Maintenance Loan enough to cover all living costs?
Not necessarily. GOV.UK specifically notes that students may not receive enough Maintenance Loan to cover all living costs. Students may need other sources such as bursaries, scholarships, family contributions or appropriate part-time work.
Does household income affect the Maintenance Loan?
Yes, household income can affect means-tested Maintenance Loan entitlement. The person whose income is assessed depends on the student's circumstances.
When will Student Finance pay me?
Maintenance Loan payments are normally paid directly into the student's bank account after the university or college confirms registration. Tuition Fee Loans are paid directly to the provider.
Do I need to apply again every academic year?
Undergraduate students normally need to reapply for student finance for each year of their course and keep their details updated.
Can Study Consulting guarantee my Student Finance application?
No. Study Consulting can provide general information, explain the application journey and direct students to official guidance. Student Finance England is responsible for assessing eligibility and determining entitlement.
Check important decisions directly with GOV.UK
These resources should be used whenever you need current eligibility, amounts or application information.
Student Finance England
Main undergraduate funding guidance, application process and current rules.
Open resource ↗ EligibilityNationality & Residency Checker
Check which Student Finance England eligibility route may apply to you.
Check eligibility ↗ CalculatorStudent Finance Calculator
Estimate possible Maintenance Loan and additional financial support.
Calculate funding ↗ ApplicationStudent Finance Account
Apply for student finance or manage an existing application online.
Sign in or apply ↗ Previous StudyReturning or Repeating
Official guidance for students who studied previously or need to repeat a year.
Read guidance ↗ January 2027+Lifelong Learning Entitlement
Official student finance information for eligible courses starting from January 2027.
Read LLE guidance ↗ PostgraduatePostgraduate Funding
Master's Loans, Doctoral Loans and other postgraduate funding information.
View postgraduate funding ↗ RepaymentRepaying Student Loans
Repayment plans, thresholds, deductions and managing repayments.
Repayment guidance ↗ Study ConsultingStudent Knowledge Centre
More common questions about university, applications, documents and student finance.
Explore FAQs →How and when to apply for 2026–27
Watch Student Finance England's official guide explaining when to apply, how the online application works and what evidence may be required.
Watch Official Video ↗Study Consulting provides general education guidance and signposting. We are not Student Finance England or the Student Loans Company and we do not make eligibility, entitlement, payment or repayment decisions. Student finance rules and amounts can change and individual circumstances matter. Students should verify important funding decisions using the official GOV.UK and Student Finance England resources linked throughout this page.
Understand your study options before taking the next step
Tell Study Consulting about your qualifications, interests and study plans. Our team can help you explore suitable education routes and point you towards the relevant official funding information.