Maintenance Loan Explained: What If You're Not Eligible?

Rent, bills, travel, food and family. If you're thinking about university, the big question may not be the course fees. It may be "How will I pay for everyday life while I study?"

That's what the Maintenance Loan is for. This guide explains how it works in general terms, and what you can do if you're not eligible or it doesn't cover enough.

Please remember: we're not financial advisers. This is general information only, and rules can change. For your own situation, check gov.uk/student-finance and speak to Citizens Advice or your work coach.

What the Maintenance Loan is

The Maintenance Loan helps with living costs while you study, such as:

• rent or mortgage payments
• food and bills
• travel to and from university
• books, equipment and other study costs

It's paid into your bank account in instalments, usually at the start of each term. You repay it in the same way as the Tuition Fee Loan, and only once your income is above the repayment threshold.

What affects how much you can get

The amount is different for each person. It can depend on:

• your household income – for many mature students, this means your own income and, if you have one, your partner's
• where you live while studying – for example, in London or elsewhere, or with your parents
• how you study – full-time or part-time, in person or online
• which year of the course you're in

You can get an estimate using the official student finance calculator . For courses starting from January 2027, the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement applies, so check that the information you're reading is for the right start date.

Why you might not be eligible

Some common reasons someone may not get a Maintenance Loan, or get less, include:

• immigration status or residency – you may need a certain status and to have lived in the UK for a set time
• previous university study – earlier study can affect what you can get
• the type of course – for example, some fully online courses may not qualify, except in certain circumstances
• age – some rules depend on age, especially for people aged 60 or over

If you're unsure, don't guess. Check the official rules, or ask Student Finance England directly. Always give complete and honest information on your application.

What to do if you're not eligible, or it isn't enough

Not getting a Maintenance Loan doesn't have to be the end of your plans. Depending on your circumstances, you could look at:

1. Check the decision. If you think something is wrong, contact Student Finance England. You may be able to ask for a review or provide more evidence.
2. Ask about extra help. Extra grants may be available if you have children, an adult who depends on you, a disability or a long-term health condition.
3. Talk to the university. Many universities have bursaries, scholarships or hardship funds. Ask their student money team what's available.
4. Look at benefits. Most full-time students can't claim Universal Credit, but some can, for example if they're responsible for a child or have a disability. Check gov.uk/universal-credit and speak to your work coach before you start.
5. Think about how you study. Part-time study may let you keep working. Find out how it affects your funding first.
6. Search for charity grants. Some charities and trusts offer small grants to students. Citizens Advice can help you find reliable ones.
7. Make a realistic budget. List your monthly costs and income before you commit. It's better to know early than to struggle later.

Key takeaways

• The Maintenance Loan helps with living costs and is paid to you in instalments.
• How much you get depends on income, where you live and how you study.
• Status, previous study, course type and age can affect eligibility.
• If you're not eligible, other support such as grants, bursaries or benefits may help.
• We're not financial advisers. Use gov.uk and get personal advice from Citizens Advice or your work coach.

Not sure where you stand? Check your eligibility for free support .