Applying

How student finance really works

We understand that taking out a student loan can feel like a big decision. The good news is that student finance is very different from a personal loan.

If your course starts from January 2027, you'll usually apply for funding through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). The LLE gives eligible learners greater flexibility to study throughout their lifetime, whether you're starting your first degree or returning to education to develop new skills.

More about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement

What funding can I apply for?

Depending on your circumstances and course, you may be able to apply for:

Tuition Fee Loan – to cover the cost of your tuition fees. This is paid directly to UCEN Manchester
Maintenance Loan – to help with living costs such as accommodation, travel and everyday expenses. This is paid directly into your bank account.

Under the LLE, funding is based on the amount of study you undertake (credits), making it easier to study flexibly throughout your career.

When do I repay my student loan?

You only start repaying your student loan when:

you have finished or left your course; and
your income is above the repayment threshold.

For students starting from January 2027, repayments begin once you earn more than £25,000 a year.

You'll repay:

9% of anything you earn above £25,000
repayments are automatically deducted through PAYE, similar to Income Tax and National Insurance
if your earnings fall below the threshold, your repayments stop.

Example: if you earn £28,000 a year, you repay 9% of £3,000 = £270 per year (approximately £22.50 per month).

Who can apply?

Eligibility depends on several factors, including:

your course
your previous study
your nationality and residency status
your age
how many credits you're studying each year.

Most students who are ordinarily resident in England and meet the residency requirements can apply for both Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans.

Returning to study?

One of the biggest changes under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement is that previous study is no longer assessed in the same way as the previous student finance system.

Eligible learners have an overall tuition fee loan entitlement that can be used across different courses and, in many cases, throughout their working lives. If you've studied before, Student Finance England will calculate how much funding you have available before you apply.