Maintenance Loan Calculator 2025/26
Estimate your Student Finance England maintenance loan using the official 2025/26 rates. Enter your household income and where you'll live during term time to see how much SFE will pay towards your living costs.
Your details
This is your parents' combined gross taxable income, or your own plus your partner's if you're 25 or over.
Your estimate
This is an estimate only, not a guaranteed or final amount. For your exact entitlement, contact Student Finance England directly.
2025/26 maintenance loan rates at a glance
| Where you live | Max loan (income £25k or less) | Min loan (high income) |
|---|---|---|
| Living with parents | £8,877 | £4,033 |
| Living away from home (outside London) | £10,544 | £5,068 |
| Living away from home (in London) | £13,762 | £6,853 |
Source: Student Loans Company / gov.uk 2025/26 rates.
How household income changes the loan
If your household income is £25,000 or less, you get the maximum loan. Above £25,000 the loan reduces gradually until it reaches the minimum rate. Outside London the loan hits the minimum at around £58,307, in London at around £62,343, and if you live at home at around £52,545. Read the full breakdown in how is the maintenance loan calculated.
Related tools and guides
- Student finance at UK HE providers (GBS, Arden, QA HE)
- UK student budget calculator for total living costs and tuition
- UK student cost of living comparison across major cities
- UK student city guides with rent, transport and lifestyle
Frequently asked questions
How is the maintenance loan calculated by Student Finance England?
Student Finance England works out your loan from your household income, where you'll live during term time, and your year of study. If household income is £25,000 or less you get the maximum loan. Above £25,000 the loan tapers down until you reach the minimum rate, which everyone is entitled to regardless of income.
What is the maximum maintenance loan for 2025/26?
For 2025/26 the maximum maintenance loan is £13,762 for students living away from home in London, £10,544 for students living away from home outside London, and £8,877 for students living with their parents.
What is the minimum maintenance loan I can get?
Even with very high household income you are entitled to the minimum loan: £6,853 in London, £5,068 outside London, or £4,033 if you live at home. Most students qualify for at least this amount as long as they meet the residency criteria.
What counts as household income for student finance?
Household income is your parents' (or partner's) gross taxable income from the previous tax year, including salary, self-employment, pensions and rental income, minus pension contributions and allowable deductions. If you have siblings in full-time education an extra £1,130 of income is disregarded per sibling.
Can international students get a maintenance loan?
No. Student Finance England maintenance loans are only available to UK Home students, settled status holders, EU students with pre-settled status meeting the residency criteria, and a few other protected categories. International students on a Student visa are not eligible and should plan to self-fund or apply for scholarships.
How accurate is this maintenance loan calculator?
This calculator uses the official 2025/26 SFE rates and the published household income thresholds, so the estimate is within £100 of the official figure for most applicants. The official assessment also considers siblings in education, parental pension contributions and unearned income, which can change the result slightly. This is an estimate only, not a final offer. For your exact entitlement, contact Student Finance England directly or wait for your official SFE entitlement letter.