How the Maintenance Loan is worked out
The Maintenance Loan helps with living costs such as rent, food and travel. The calculator covers new full-time students in England starting in 2026 to 2027 who aren't entitled to benefits and aren't in their final year.
The maximum loan depends on where you live: £9,118 if you live with your parents, £10,830 if you live away from home outside London, and £14,135 if you live away from home in London.
If your household income is £25,000 or less, you get the maximum. Above £25,000, the loan falls by £1 for every £6.54 of income if you live with your parents, every £6.47 if you live away from home outside London, and every £6.36 in London. It doesn't fall below a minimum amount, which the calculator puts at £4,012, £5,047 and £7,039 respectively.
Worked example
Living away from home outside London with a household income of £40,000, your income is £15,000 above the threshold. That reduces the £10,830 maximum by £2,318, so your loan is £8,512 a year, about £2,837.33 a term.
Living with your parents on a household income of £30,000, the £9,118 maximum falls by £764, giving £8,354.
What counts as household income
Household income is usually your parents' gross income from two tax years before your course starts, or one parent's and their partner's. If you're an independent student, it's your own income and your partner's.
The loan is usually paid in three instalments, one at the start of each term. Student Finance England confirms your actual amount when you apply.
Inputs for the maintenance loan calculator
Academic year
The calculator uses Student Finance England's rates for new full-time students starting in 2026 to 2027.
Where you'll live while studying
Choose with your parents, away from home outside London, or away from home in London. Living away from home in London gives the highest maximum loan.
Household income (per year)
Usually your parents' income before tax, from two tax years before your course starts. Enter 0 or any amount up to £25,000 to see the maximum loan.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
Maintenance loan calculator questions
How much Maintenance Loan can I get in 2026 to 2027?
Up to £9,118 living with your parents, £10,830 living away from home outside London, or £14,135 in London. Household income over £25,000 reduces the amount.
Does this cover students from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
No. It only covers Student Finance England. Students from the other nations apply to their own funding body, which has different rules and amounts.
Whose income counts as household income?
Usually your parents' income before tax from two tax years before your course starts. If you're an independent student, it's your own income and your partner's.
Is there a minimum Maintenance Loan?
Yes. However high your household income, you can still get a reduced loan. The calculator shows £5,047 as the minimum for living away from home outside London.
Do I have to pay the Maintenance Loan back?
Yes. It's added to your student loan and repaid through your salary once you earn above your plan's threshold. Use the student loan repayment calculator to see what you'd repay.