Maintance loan
Maintenance Loan – Support for Living Costs While Studying in the UK
Living expenses in the UK can be significantly higher than in most Polish cities – and for many students, this may seem like an obstacle. But if you’re planning to study in the UK, there’s a solution that makes it manageable: the Maintenance Loan. This government loan allows you to focus on your studies while covering your everyday costs – even if you’re only working part-time.
Alongside the Tuition Fee Loan, the Maintenance Loan is one of the most important sources of financial support for EU students in the UK. It helps you worry less about money and more about succeeding at university.
What Is a Maintenance Loan?
The Maintenance Loan is a student loan provided by Student Finance England to help cover living expenses during your studies. The amount you receive depends on your household income (your income plus your parents’, if applicable) and whether you’re studying in London or elsewhere in the UK.
Example: Maximum Maintenance Loan amounts for students living in London:
| Household Income | Maximum Annual Maintenance Loan (London) |
|---|---|
| less than £25,000 | £14,202 |
| £30,000 | £13,147 |
| £35,000 | £12,091 |
| £40,000 | £11,035 |
| £42,875 | £10,428 |
| £45,000 | £10,120 |
The loan is paid into your personal bank account in instalments throughout the academic year – giving you the flexibility to cover rent, bills, food, travel and other essentials.
Who Can Apply for the Maintenance Loan?
To be eligible, you must qualify for EU Migrant Worker status. This status is granted to EU nationals who:
- Work in the UK (part-time or full-time),
- Are employed for at least 10–15 hours per week,
- Have worked continuously for at least 3 months in the UK,
- Earn around £7,550 per year (in some cases, even less may be accepted).
Additionally, you must:
- Arrive and live in the UK before 1 September of the academic year you begin studying,
- Provide proof of your presence in the UK (e.g. flight ticket, rental agreement, card transactions from before or on 1 September),
- Continue working the required number of hours throughout your studies to keep receiving the loan.
In practice, students who begin working in the UK 3 to 8 months before applying have the highest success rate in receiving the loan.
How Is the Maintenance Loan Repaid?
The Maintenance Loan is repaid on the same terms as the Tuition Fee Loan:
- Repayments start one year after graduation,
- Only if your income exceeds the repayment threshold:
- UK: £25,000 per year
- Poland: approx. £15,000 per year (~73,000 PLN)
If you earn below the threshold – you don’t repay anything. Once your income exceeds it, you repay 9% of the amount over the threshold.
Examples:
| Country | Repayment Threshold | Monthly Income | Amount Over Threshold | Monthly Repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | £25,000 | £2,500 | £400 | £36 |
| Poland | ~£15,000 (73k PLN) | 7,000 PLN | 1,000 PLN | 90 PLN |
Repayments are low and automatically deducted from your salary before it reaches your bank account.
Why Is It Worth Applying?
- You don’t need to cover living costs from your own pocket,
- You can study full-time and work part-time without financial pressure,
- The loan is income-based, and repayment terms are fair,
- Any unpaid amount is written off after 30 years.
With AdmitGo, applying for a Maintenance Loan is simple.
We’ll guide you through the entire process – from obtaining EU Migrant Worker status and preparing documents to communicating with Student Finance. You’re not alone – we’re here to help.