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Student Loan for Tuition Fees

All eligible, full-time EU students can take out a Student Loan to cover the cost of tuition fees. Student Loans are funded by the government of the country where you choose to study, and paid directly to your college or university by the Student Loans Company.

The maximum you can borrow depends on the fees charged by your university. It’s not affected by your household income.

Applying for a Student Loan

See 'How to apply for finance - European Union (EU) students' for application forms and guidance on completing your application.

• How to apply for finance - European Union (EU) students

Repaying Student Loans

You start to repay the Student Loans after you have left your course and are earning more than the threshold set by the Student Loans Company. You'll repay nine per cent of your earnings over this threshold.

• Repaying student loans (courses starting from 1998)

If you are a new student, or your course started from September 2006

If you are studying in England or Northern Ireland, you'll be able to take out a Student Loan up to the full amount of your tuition fees. The maximum is £3,225 for 2009/2010.

If you are studying in Wales, you can take out a Student Loan for Tuition Fees up to the full value of the tuition fees charged by your institution, less any grant that you receive. The maximum loan is £1,285 for 2009/2010.

If your course started before September 2006

If your course started before September 2006 (studying in England, Northern Ireland or Wales), you can take out a maximum Student Loan for Tuition Fees of £1,285 for 2009/2010.

Grants for tuition fees

You may be able to get a grant for tuition fees if:

• you’re studying in Wales, or
• you’re studying in England or Northern Ireland and your course started before September 2006

The grant is paid directly to your college or university. It doesn’t have to be repaid.

Maximum rates are as follows:

Income assessment

If your course began before September 2006, the amount you can get through the tuition fee grant depends on your household income.

This can include your income, and (if you are under 25) the income of your parents and their partners. Depending on your circumstances, it could include the income of your spouse or partner. However, you don't have to count your own casual or part-time earnings during the course.

Household income is gross taxable income, minus certain deductions (for example, if there are dependent children in your household).

Household income levels to qualify for the tuition fee grant are as follows:

If you are a single, independent student, different rules apply. You will receive a full tuition fee grant if your income is less than £10,755.

Other forms of help

You may be able to get extra help through educational grants and charitable trusts.

• Bursaries, scholarships and awards

Not sure if you’re classed as an EU student?

This page describes the financial help available if you're classed as an EU student doing an undergraduate course in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

If you'll have been living in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least three years when your course starts - or you're classed as an EEA or Swiss migrant worker, or the child of a Turkish worker in the UK - you may qualify for extra help.

• EU students: what type of finance could you qualify for?

Studying in Scotland?

If you study in Scotland, applications for student finance are dealt with by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

• Apply for student finance at the Student Awards Agency for Scotland Opens new window

Applying for 2008/2009?

This page contains information about the 2009/2010 academic year.

If you’re applying for 2008/2009 and are studying in England or Northern Ireland, the maximum Student Loan for Tuition Fees you can take out is £3,145. The maximum in Wales is £1,255.

The maximum grant for tuition fees is:

• £1,255 (England, Northern Ireland or Wales - courses starting before September 2006 only)
• £1,890 (Wales - new students and courses starting after September 2006)

You can download application forms and guides for 2008/2009 from the page ‘Forms and guides for EU students (2008/2009)’.

• Forms and guides for EU students (2008/2009)