UK Government - Maintenance Loan

Maintenance Loan for living costs

You will receive a government loan of up to about EUR 14,000 (roughly £12,345) per academic year to cover your living costs whilst you are studying: rent, food, books and travel costs. This is part of the UK’s student finance system. The amount of funding you receive depends on where you live during the term (other than at home or with your parents) and your household income. Every eligible student receives at least a basic amount, which is not means-tested. Welsh students receive a loan as well as a grant of at least £1,000.. English, Northern Irish and Scottish students receive their own funding amounts from their respective national funding bodies. You will only start repaying your loan from April following the completion of your studies, and only once you are earning at least £25,000 per year.

Who can apply

• Level: You are starting a Bachelor’s degree, either on a full-time or part-time basis.
• Where you study: You are studying at the University of South Wales or another UK university.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Nationality and residence: You are a British national or have ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status, or another qualifying residence status, and you usually live in the United Kingdom.
• Income: Part of the loan depends on your household income. If your income is below 25, your parents’ income is usually taken into account. If your income is above 25, you live separately from your family, have been discharged from care, or have been self-supporting for 3 years, you are considered an independent student, and only your own income will be taken into account.

How to apply

You should submit your application online to the funding body responsible for the part of the United Kingdom in which you are ordinarily resident: Student Finance Wales, Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland or the Student Awards Agency Scotland. Submit your application before you start your course – the sooner the better – and renew it every academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a standard entitlement, not a selection process. If you meet the residence and enrolment requirements, you will be granted the loan – so you do not need to convince a selection panel of your merits. The only variable is the amount of the loan, which is determined by a means test based on your household income. Make sure you apply for the loan well in advance, as the funding must be secured before you start your studies.