Repayments

How you will repay your student loan for living costs.

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Student getting money out of ATM

If you have a Plan 4 student loan:

You’ll only repay when your income is over £532 a week, £2,305 a month or £27,660 a year (before tax and other deductions). The threshold amounts change on 6 April every year.

Repaying your student loan (UK Government website)

Key points

  • You do not have to pay tuition fees upfront.
  • You only pay back your loan when you earn the threshold amount according to the plan you are on.
  • The amount will automatically be taken out of your salary.
  • Student loans do not go on credit files.
  • Repayments are made over the course of 30 years.
  • After 30 years, even if you haven’t finished paying the loan, it is wiped off.

How loan repayments work

  • Repayments on your loan will start in April after you leave the University, provided you are earning over the threshold according to the plan you are on for repayment.
  • If your income falls below the threshold your repayments stop - for example if you take a career break or are unemployed - until you start earning over the threshold again.
  • All your student loans are added together and your employer will automatically take repayments from your salary, at the same time as they take tax and National Insurance contributions.
  • If you are self-employed, HM Revenue & Customs will collect your repayments through the self-assessment system, along with your tax.
  • Any outstanding balance is written off after 30 years.

Further details on the repayment of student loans can be found on the Student Loans Company website.