Maintenance Loan Calculator
Your maintenance loan depends on household income, where you live while studying, and whether you are in London. Maximum loans range from £8,877 (at home) to £13,762 (London, away from home).
The maintenance loan helps cover your living costs while you study at university. How much you receive depends on your household income, whether you live at home or away, and whether you study in London.
Use this calculator to get an estimate of your annual maintenance loan entitlement for the 2025/26 academic year.
More Student finance calculators · All calculators · All guides
What this calculator does
This calculator estimates your maintenance loan based on your household income and living situation. It shows the annual, monthly, and weekly amounts you could receive.
Who it is for
Prospective and current university students in England who want to understand how much maintenance loan they may be entitled to. Also useful for parents helping their children plan university finances.
How to use it
Enter your household income (usually your parents' combined income if you are under 25 and dependent), select where you will be studying, and choose your living situation. Click 'See My Result' for your estimate.
How the calculation works
We use the published Student Finance England rates for 2025/26. The maximum loan varies by living situation. For household incomes above £25,000, the loan is reduced proportionally. The exact reduction rate is approximately 12.82p for every £1 of income above the threshold.
Worked example
A student living away from home outside London with a household income of £40,000: Maximum loan = £10,544. Income above threshold = £15,000. Reduction = £15,000 × 0.1282 = £1,923. Estimated loan = £10,544 - £1,923 = £8,621 per year (£718/month).
Assumptions and limitations
- Uses 2025/26 Student Finance England rates
- The income reduction rate of 12.82% is an approximation of the official taper
- Actual entitlement may vary based on course type, year of study, and other circumstances
- Final year students may receive a different amount
- This calculator covers England only — Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different systems
Frequently asked questions
How much maintenance loan will I get on a household income of £50,000?
It depends on your living situation. Use the calculator above to get a personalised estimate. As a rough guide, living away from home outside London on £50,000 income, you might receive around £7,000-£8,000.
Do I have to pay the maintenance loan back?
Yes, the maintenance loan is repaid through your salary once you earn above the repayment threshold (currently £28,470 for Plan 2). Repayments are 9% of earnings above the threshold.
What counts as household income?
Usually your parents' combined gross income if you are under 25 and financially dependent on them. If you are 25 or over, or independent, only your own income may be assessed.
Related calculators
- Student Loan Repayment Calculator — Student loan repayments are 9% of earnings above your plan's threshold. On Plan 2, that is 9% of everything you earn above £28,470.
Related guides
- How Student Loan Repayments Work in the UK — Everything you need to know about student loan repayments: thresholds, rates, plan types, and how much you will actually repay each month.
Sources and references
Student Finance England rates 2025/26 (https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/new-fulltime-students), Student Loans Company (https://www.slc.co.uk/)
Last updated
Last reviewed: 2025-04-06.