
International students can apply for maintenance loans to cover their living costs while studying in the UK. The loan is paid directly into the student's bank account in three instalments per year, usually at the beginning of each term. The amount of the loan depends on several factors, including the student's living conditions, household income, and location. It is important to note that the maintenance loan might not cover all living costs, and students may need to consider part-time work or financial support from their families to supplement their income.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for a maintenance loan? | Full-time students, part-time students (studying at least 25% of the equivalent full-time course), distance learning students (only if they cannot attend their course in person due to a disability), and international students (in some countries) can apply for a maintenance loan. |
| How much can you get? | The amount varies depending on factors such as household income, living conditions, location of study, and marital status. The average maintenance loan is around £6,800 per year, with a minimum of £3,893 and a maximum of £12,382 per year. |
| How is the loan paid? | The loan is paid in three instalments directly into the student's bank account, usually at the start of each term. In Scotland, the loan is paid monthly. |
| When do you need to apply? | Applications usually open in March, and it can take up to six weeks to process an application. It is recommended to apply by 31 May if your course starts between 1 August and 31 December. |
| Do you need to pay it back? | Yes, you will need to pay back any loan you receive. Repayment amounts and timing depend on your earnings after university. |
| Are there other options for financial support? | Yes, students may be able to receive support from their family, take on part-time work, or apply for local authority assistance, bursaries, scholarships, or grants. |
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What You'll Learn

EU and non-EU international students
EU students who started their undergraduate course in the UK before 1 August 2021 and are registered under the EU Settlement Scheme with settled or pre-settled status are considered home students and can request financial support from Student Finance England. This includes Maintenance Loans to cover living costs, which are paid directly into the student's bank account. The amount of the loan depends on the student's living conditions, location, and household income. For the academic year 2021-2022, the maximum student maintenance loan amount was £12,382 per year, but this can vary.
EU students who are non-residents in the UK and not registered under the EU Settlement Scheme require a study visa to study in the UK and cannot request funding from Student Finance England. However, they may be able to get financial support from other sources, such as scholarships or grants.
Non-EU international students may be able to apply for a maintenance loan to help with living costs, depending on their nationality and residency status. The loan is available to both local and international students in some countries and is designed to assist with rent, bills, food, and other living expenses. The amount of the loan depends on the student's living conditions, location, and household income. Students can use the student finance calculator to estimate how much they may receive.
In addition to maintenance loans, international students may also be able to get financial support through part-time work, scholarships, grants, or family contributions. It is important to note that maintenance loans may not cover all living costs, and students may need to consider additional sources of funding.
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Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria for student maintenance loans vary depending on the student's nationality and residency status.
EU Students
EU students must have Settled or Pre-settled status and apply for Student Finance as EU Students or as EEA Migrant Workers. The course must be eligible for Student Finance England, and it must be the student's first undergraduate qualification. There is no age limit, but the loan amount for students aged 60 or over will depend on their household income.
Undergraduate Students
Full-time undergraduate students are eligible for a maintenance loan, provided they meet certain criteria. The loan is means-tested, and the amount received depends on the student's household income. For students under 25, this is based on the income of their parent(s)/guardian(s) and any partner they live with. For students aged 25 or older, the amount is based on their cohabiting partner's income, if they have one. The maximum loan amount is available for those with an annual household income of £25,000 or less.
Students with Children or a Disability
Students with children or a disability may be able to get an extra maintenance loan. This includes single parents or foster parents of a child under 20 who is in full-time education or on an approved training course. Students with a disability who qualify for certain benefits, such as the Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, may also be eligible for an increased loan.
Previous Studies
Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree may not be eligible for full government support if they pursue a second degree. However, limited funding may be available if they are 'topping up' their qualification or studying a part-time or joint honours degree in a specific government-approved subject.
International Students
International students may be eligible for a maintenance loan as part of their student loan, which is split into tuition fee loans and maintenance loans. However, the information provided is mostly tailored to EU and UK undergraduate students, so international students should refer to their government's website or a dedicated student finance website for specific eligibility criteria and application processes.
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Loan amount
The amount of maintenance loan you can receive depends on several factors. For the academic year 2021-2022, the maximum student maintenance loan amount was £12,382 per year, but only if you lived away from your family home in London. The average Maintenance Loan is around £6,800 per year. However, you can receive a minimum of £3,893 up to a maximum of £11,200 per year. The amount varies and depends on factors such as your living conditions, the location of your university, your household income, and whether you are living alone or with your caretakers. A student can only receive a loan of up to £9,706 per year.
In Northern Ireland, there is a maintenance loan worth up to £11,391, a non-repayable maintenance grant of up to £3,475 (for those whose household income is less than £41,065), and a special support grant of up to £3,475. In Wales, the government offers a combination of loans and grants of up to £15,415. The amount you can get will depend on your household income and where you plan to live and study.
For full-time students, the maximum tuition fee loan is £9,535 per year. For those studying an accelerated degree course, the maximum loan is £11,440 per year. Part-time students may be able to get a tuition fee loan of up to £7,145 per year.
It is important to note that the cost of your student loan (tuition fees, maintenance, and interest) is not necessarily the amount you will pay back. How much you end up paying back depends entirely on your earnings after university. Those who earn a lot will repay a lot, and those who do not benefit financially from their degree will pay less or maybe nothing.
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Repayment
Maintenance loans are available to international students in the UK and the US. In the UK, the repayment of maintenance loans depends on where you live and your household income. The loan is paid directly to the university, and you will have to pay it back. The amount you’re charged may vary depending on where in the UK you study.
In the US, international students can apply for loans to cover their entire education, but they must have a US cosigner. The cosigner is legally obligated to repay the loan if the borrower fails to pay. The repayment period generally ranges from 10 to 25 years, but the larger the loan, the longer the repayment period. Students can defer payments for up to four years, which is the typical length of a degree. There are different repayment plans available, such as full deferral, interest-only, and immediate repayment. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history and verifiable cost of attendance.
For those studying in the UK, there are different repayment thresholds for different countries. You'll only make repayments to your student loan when you earn more than the repayment threshold amount for the country you're living in.
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Additional financial support
International students can access additional financial support through scholarships, grants, fellowships, and loans.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a common form of financial aid for international students. Scholarship awards can vary, with some providing full funding for tuition and living expenses, while others offer partial support. Scholarship Search and EduPASS offer free scholarship search tools that provide access to thousands of scholarships, grants, and fellowships for students studying in the USA and worldwide.
Grants
Grants are another source of funding for international students. In the UK, for example, EU students registered under the EU Settlement Scheme with settled or pre-settled status are considered home students and can request financial support from Student Finance. Grants may also be available for specific purposes, such as travel expenses for students who normally live in England but study away from home.
Fellowships
Fellowships are often offered to graduate students as a form of financial aid. These opportunities provide funding for students to pursue research or other academic endeavours.
Loans
International students may also be able to access loans to help fund their studies. These can include government-provided loans, such as in the UK, or private loans from lenders. International Student Loans, for example, can provide funding for the entire cost of university minus any other aid received and can be used for expenses like tuition, books, and room and board.
It is important to note that the availability and eligibility requirements for financial aid can vary by country and institution. International students should research the specific options available to them based on their intended country and institution of study.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can get maintenance loans in the UK to help cover their living costs. The amount of the loan depends on various factors, including living conditions, university location, and household income.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for a maintenance loan as an international student is to do so online via the government website. You will need to make a separate application for each year of your course.
The amount of money you get for a maintenance loan as an international student depends on several factors. For the academic year 2021-2022, the maximum student maintenance loan amount was £12,382 per year for students living away from home in London.
Repayment of maintenance loans is dependent on income after university. Students who earn a lot will repay a lot, and students who do not benefit financially from their degree will pay less or nothing.




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