Student Finance Payment Dates 2026/27: When Is Your Maintenance Loan Paid?
Last updated: 1 October 2026
If you’re studying in England, your Maintenance Loan is paid into your bank account in three instalments, one at the start of each term. For most students in 2026/27 that means payments around late September or early October 2026, January 2027 and April 2027. The exact dates depend on your university’s term dates. Your first payment only arrives after your university confirms you’ve registered.
When will I get paid?
| Instalment | Usually paid | Roughly how much |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Start of the autumn term (Sept–Oct 2026) | About one third |
| Term 2 | Start of the spring term (Jan 2027) | About one third |
| Term 3 | Start of the summer term (Apr 2027) | The rest (often a little less) |
To see your exact dates and amounts, log in to your online student finance account and look at your payment schedule.
Your Tuition Fee Loan isn’t paid to you. It goes straight to your university or college.
How much can I get in 2026/27?
These are the maximum amounts for new full-time students from England. The amount you actually get depends on your household income.
| Where you live while studying | Maximum Maintenance Loan |
|---|---|
| With your parents | £9,118 |
| Away from home, outside London | £10,830 |
| Away from home, in London | £14,135 |
| A year studying abroad | £12,403 |
The maximum Tuition Fee Loan for 2026/27 is £9,790 (£11,750 for accelerated degrees).
Why hasn’t my first payment arrived?
- You haven’t finished registering. Complete your university’s online and in-person registration. Payment usually follows within 3–5 working days of the university confirming it.
- Your bank details are wrong or missing. Check them in your student finance account.
- Your application is still being processed, often because household income evidence or ID is missing. Look for messages in your account.
- Your course details changed. If you switched course or university, the change has to be confirmed first.
If you’re struggling while you wait, speak to your university’s student support or hardship fund team. Many universities can give a short-term emergency loan.
How household income affects your loan
Part of the Maintenance Loan is means-tested. That means the amount depends on your household income, which is usually your parents’ income, or your partner’s if you’re married or living together. Students from households with an income of £25,000 or less can get the maximum amount. Above that, the loan gradually reduces to a minimum amount. If your household income has dropped by 15% or more this year, you can ask Student Finance England to use the current year’s income instead.
A simple budget example
Imagine you live away from home outside London and receive a total loan of £9,000 for the year, paid in three instalments of about £3,000.
| Term 1 (about 12 weeks) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Loan payment | £3,000 |
| Rent (12 weeks × £150) | −£1,800 |
| Left for everything else | £1,200 |
| Weekly budget for food, travel, phone and fun | about £100 a week |
Many students find the loan doesn’t cover everything. Part-time work, help from family, university bursaries and scholarships can fill the gap. Check what your university offers, because many bursaries don’t need to be repaid.
Repaying your loan: the basics
Students from England who started courses from August 2023 are on Plan 5. You only start repaying after you leave your course and earn above the repayment threshold. You then repay 9% of your income above that threshold, taken automatically through your salary. Any amount left after 40 years is written off. If your income falls below the threshold, repayments stop.
Budgeting tips
- Pay rent first. Check when your rent is due compared with your loan payment dates. Many student landlords set termly rent dates to match.
- Divide each payment by the number of weeks until the next one. That’s your weekly budget.
- Use a student bank account with an interest-free overdraft as a safety net, not as extra spending money.
- Check you aren’t paying council tax you don’t owe.
Frequently asked questions
What time of day does student finance pay?
Payments are usually sent in the early hours and appear during the day, depending on your bank.
Do I get paid over the summer?
No. The third instalment is meant to cover you until the end of the academic year. Plan ahead if you’re staying in your term-time accommodation over the summer.
Can I change how much I borrow?
Yes. You can ask to reduce your Maintenance Loan at any time through your online account. If you originally asked for less than the maximum, you can usually ask to increase it, up to your entitlement. Changes affect your future instalments.
What if I leave my course or take a break?
Tell your university and Student Finance England straight away. Payments stop, and you may have been overpaid for the term. Any overpayment will need to be repaid, sometimes sooner than the rest of your loan.
Is the payment different in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?
Yes. Student Finance Wales, SAAS (Scotland) and Student Finance NI have their own amounts and schedules. SAAS pays monthly rather than termly.
Sources: GOV.UK – Student finance: new full-time students; GOV.UK – How you’re paid.
