For your fees
Tuition Fee Loan
Covers your course fees and is paid directly to your university or college. You never handle the money.
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Student Finance, made simple
For eligible home students, government loans can cover your tuition and help with living costs. Here's how it works in plain English.
The basics
Two types of support
For living costs
Maintenance Loan
Helps with rent, food, travel and books. Paid into your bank account in instalments. The amount depends on your household income and where you live.
How it flows
How student finance works
You apply
Online with Student Finance England once you've applied for your course.
Uni is paid
Your tuition fee loan goes straight to the university.
You get support
Maintenance loan paid to you each term, if eligible.
Repay when earning
Only once you earn over the threshold, as a small % of income.
Good to know
- You don't pay anything back while you're studying
- Repayments are linked to your income, not to how much you borrowed
- If your income drops below the threshold, repayments stop
- Any amount left after the repayment period is written off
- Extra grants may be available, for example for childcare or a disability
How we help
- Check whether you're likely to be eligible before you apply
- Explain each section of the application form
- Help you gather the evidence Student Finance asks for
- Remind you of deadlines so your money arrives on time
This is a simple overview, not financial advice. Amounts, thresholds and eligibility rules are set by the government and change over time. Always check the latest details on GOV.UK.
Want help with your Student Finance application?
We'll walk you through it so nothing is missed.