Maintenance Loan Rates 2025/26: Maximums & Thresholds
Find out how much maintenance loan you're entitled to for the 2025/26 academic year. Your entitlement depends on your household income and where you lived before starting university. This differs from your loan repayment plan, which is determined by where and when you studied.
Starting university in September 2026? View projected 2026/27 rates instead
Max (London)
£13,762
Living away, in London
Max (Elsewhere)
£10,544
Living away, outside London
Max (At Home)
£8,877
Living at home
Min (At Home)
£3,907
High Income Household
What is the Maintenance Loan?
The maintenance loan is money the government lends you to help cover your living costs while studying, including rent, food, travel, and books. Unlike the tuition fee loan (which goes straight to your university), the maintenance loan is paid directly into your bank account.
✅Key Point
The maintenance loan is means-tested based on your household income. This means the amount you receive depends on what your parents (or partner) earn, not just your own circumstances.
Maximum Maintenance Loan Rates 2025/26
These are the maximum amounts for full-time undergraduate students in England. Your actual loan will be less if your household income is above £25,000.
| Living Situation | Maximum Loan | Per Month (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Living with parents | £8,877 | £986/month |
| Living away from home (outside London) | £10,544 | £1,172/month |
| Living away from home (in London) | £13,762 | £1,529/month |
How Household Income Affects Your Loan
Your maintenance loan reduces as household income increases. The government uses a sliding scale, so you get the maximum at £25,000 or below and the minimum at around £70,000+ (depending on your situation).
Maintenance loan by household income (2025/26)
These figures are averages — use your government's official calculator for an exact figure (see "How to Calculate Your Maintenance Loan" below).
| Household income | Living at home | Away from home (outside London) | Away from home (London) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 or less | £8,877 | £10,544 | £13,762 |
| £30,000 | £8,132 | £9,791 | £12,997 |
| £35,000 | £7,387 | £9,038 | £12,231 |
| £40,000 | £6,642 | £8,285 | £11,465 |
| £42,875 | £6,214 | £7,852 | £11,025 |
| £45,000 | £5,897 | £7,532 | £10,700 |
| £50,000 | £5,152 | £6,779 | £9,934 |
| £55,000 | £4,407 | £6,026 | £9,168 |
| £58,349 | £3,907 | £5,522 | £8,655 |
| £60,000 | £3,907 | £5,273 | £8,403 |
| £62,377 | £3,907 | £4,915 | £8,039 |
| £65,000 | £3,907 | £4,915 | £7,637 |
| £70,000 | £3,907 | £4,915 | £6,871 |
| £70,116+ | £3,907 | £4,915 | £6,853 |
These figures are taken from government published 2025/26 maintenance loan rates (see source table).
⚠️The Hidden Parental Contribution
If your household income is above £25,000, the government assumes your parents will make up the difference between your reduced loan and the maximum. This "expected contribution" is rarely explained to families and can leave students short of money.
Example: A student with household income of £50,000 might receive £7,000 instead of £10,544, leaving a gap of £3,544 the government expects parents to cover.
What Counts as Household Income?
Student Finance uses your parents' (or partner's) taxable income from the previous tax year. This includes:
Included in Assessment
- Salary and wages
- Self-employment profits
- Pension income
- Rental income
- Investment income
- Benefits (some types)
Can Reduce Your Assessment
- Pension contributions
- Other dependent children
- Other household members in higher education
- Certain allowances
Independent Students
In some cases, you're assessed on your own income (not your parents'). You may be classed as an independent student if you:
- Are 25 or older on the first day of your course
- Have been married or in a civil partnership for at least 3 years
- Have supported yourself for at least 3 years before your course
- Have no living parents
- Are estranged from your parents
- Have been in local authority care
ℹ️Independent Student Benefit
Independent students often receive the maximum maintenance loan because their household income (based on their own earnings, typically low or zero as students) is below the threshold.
Maintenance Loan vs Living Costs: Will It Be Enough?
For many students, the maintenance loan won't cover all living costs, especially in expensive cities. Here's a realistic breakdown:
Typical Annual Living Costs (Outside London)
If your maintenance loan is less than your costs, consider: part time work, bursaries from your university, scholarships, or parental support.
When Is the Maintenance Loan Paid?
The maintenance loan is paid in three instalments, roughly at the start of each term:
🍂
September/October
First instalment (largest)
❄️
January
Second instalment
🌸
April
Third instalment
⚠️Budget Tip
The first payment is often larger but needs to cover freshers' week, deposits, and initial costs. Budget carefully, as the money needs to last until January!
How to Calculate Your Maintenance Loan
For an exact calculation of your maintenance loan entitlement, use the GOV Loan calculators. Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales use different rules and rates, and may offer grants that do not need to be repaid. Use the official calculator for the nation you lived in before you go to university as they administer your student finance.
ℹ️Important
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales may offer grants or additional support that do not need to be repaid — check the links above for full details for your nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get more maintenance loan if my parents won't help?
Unfortunately, the government assessment assumes parents will contribute even if they refuse or are unable to. Your only options are to apply for university hardship funds, seek bursaries, or work part-time. Some students in genuine estrangement situations can apply as independent students.
What if my parents' income has dropped since the assessment year?
You can apply for a Current Year Income assessment. This reassesses your loan based on your household's expected income for the current tax year, which can increase your entitlement if circumstances have changed significantly.
Do I have to repay the maintenance loan?
Yes, unlike a grant, the maintenance loan must be repaid. However, repayments only start after you graduate and earn above the threshold (£25,000 for Plan 5). Any remaining balance is written off after 40 years. See our guide to student loan repayments for details.
Can I get extra funding for a disability or medical condition?
Yes! Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) provides extra funding for students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, or specific learning difficulties like dyslexia. DSA does not need to be repaid and is not means-tested. Apply through Student Finance.
What about part-time students?
Part-time students studying at least 25% intensity can access a reduced maintenance loan. The exact amount depends on your course intensity and household income. Check with Student Finance for current part-time rates.
Key Takeaways
Maintenance loan is means-tested on household income, so the more your parents earn, the less you get
Maximum 2025/26: £13,762 (London), £10,544 (elsewhere), £8,877 (living at home)
Use the official GOV.UK calculator for your exact entitlement
The government expects parents to cover the gap if your loan is reduced
The loan may not cover all living costs, so plan for additional funding sources
Money is paid in three termly instalments, not monthly
Related Guides
Student Finance 2026/27
Projected maintenance loan rates and tuition fees for September 2026 starters.
Learn more →Student Finance for Applicants
Complete guide to tuition fees, loans, and starting university.
Learn more →How Student Loans Work
Understand repayment plans, thresholds, and write-off periods.
Learn more →Plan 5 Explained
The new repayment plan for students starting from 2023.
Learn more →Once you've started repaying, use our calculator to project your payments:
Open Repayment Calculator →