Overview

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Repaying your student loan

1. Overview
You need to pay back:
Tuition Fee Loans

Maintenance Loans
Postgraduate Loans
You do not need to pay back other student finance, for example grants and bursaries, unless you’ve been paid
too much.
You still have to repay your student loan if you leave your course early (https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-if-you-
suspend-or-leave).
When you start repaying your loan (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/when-you-start-and-finish-repaying)

and how much you pay (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/what-you-pay) depend on which repayment
plan you’re on.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) (https://www.gov.uk/ad-dalu-eich-benthyciad-myfyrwyr).
How to repay
How you repay (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/how-you-repay) your loan depends on whether you’re
employed or self-employed (https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself/what-counts-as-self-employed).
You can make voluntary repayments (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/make-voluntary-repayments) in

your online repayment account (https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-your-student-loan-repayment-account) and by card,
bank transfer or cheque.
Keep your payslips and P60 (https://www.gov.uk/paye-forms-p45-p60-p11d/p60) for your records - you’ll need them
if you want to get a refund (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/getting-a-refund).
Sign in
Sign in to your student loan repayment account (https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-your-student-loan-repayment-account)
if you already have one.
2. When you start and finish repaying

When you start repaying your loan depends on your repayment plan. There are 3 plans:
https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/print 1/13
27/10/2019 Print Repaying your student loan - GOV.UK
Plan 1
Plan 2
Postgraduate Loan
You cannot choose the repayment plan you’re on. If you have more than one loan, they could be on
different plans.
You’ll only repay when your income is over the threshold amount for your repayment plan. The threshold
amounts change on 6 April every year.
Your repayments automatically stop if either:
you stop working

your income goes below the threshold
Plan 1
You’re on Plan 1 if you’re:
an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK before 1
September 2012
a Scottish or Northern Irish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in
the UK on or after 1 September 1998
an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 1998,
but before 1 September 2012
an EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Scotland or Northern Ireland on
or after 1 September 1998
The earliest you’ll start repaying is either:
the April after you leave your course

the April 4 years after the course started, if you’re studying part-time
You’ll only repay when your income is over £364 a week or £1,577 a month (before tax and other deductions).
When Plan 1 loans get written off for students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Academic year you took out the loan When the loan’s written off
2005 to 2006, or earlier When you’re 65
2006 to 2007, or later 25 years after the April you were first due to repay
If you’re a full time student from Wales, you may be able to get £1,500 of your Maintenance Loan written off
(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/welsh-partial-loan-cancellation).
When Plan 1 loans get written off for students from Scotland
Academic year you took out

When the loan’s written off
the loan
Academic year you took out

When the loan’s written off
the loan
When you’re 65, or 30 years after the April you were first due to repay -
2006 to 2007, or earlier
whichever comes first
2007 to 2008, or later 30 years after the April you were first due to repay
When Plan 1 loans get written off for postgraduate students from Scotland and Northern
Ireland
Master’s Loans and Doctoral Loans are written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
Plan 2
an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1
September 2012
an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 2012
someone who took out an Advanced Learner Loan (https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan) on or after 1
August 2013
The earliest you’ll start repaying is either:

When Plan 2 loans get written off
Plan 2 loans are written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
Postgraduate Loan
You’re on a Postgraduate Loan repayment plan if you’re:
an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Master’s Loan on or after 1 August 2016
an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan on or after 1 August 2018
an EU student who started a postgraduate course on or after 1 August 2016
If you took out a Master’s Loan, the earliest you start repaying is the April after you leave your course. You’ll
only repay when your income is over £404 a week or £1,750 a month (before tax and other deductions).
If you took out a Doctoral loan, the earliest you start repaying is:

If you took out a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan in Northern Ireland or a Postgraduate Living Cost Loan in
Scotland you’ll need to repay these under Plan 1.
When Postgraduate Loans get written off
Master’s Loans and Doctoral Loans are written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
Early repayments
There’s no penalty for paying some or all of your loan off early (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-
loan/make-voluntary-repayments).
If you’ve nearly paid off your loan

The Student Loans Company (SLC) will contact you when you’re close to repaying all of your loan.
If someone with a student loan dies

SLC will cancel the person’s student loan.
You need to let SLC know that the person has died (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/student-loan-cancellation-if-a-
customer-dies) and provide evidence (for example an original death certificate), as well as the person’s
Customer Reference Number.
If you can no longer work because of illness or disability

SLC may be able to cancel your loan if you claim certain disability benefits (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/student-
loan-cancellation-permanently-unfit-to-work). You’ll need to provide evidence (for example a letter from the benefits
agency) and your Customer Reference Number.
3. How much you repay

How much you repay depends on which plan you’re on.
Each plan has a threshold for your weekly or monthly income. You repay:
9% of the amount you earn over the threshold for Plan 1 and 2
6% of the amount you earn over the threshold for the Postgraduate Loan
If you have a Plan 1 or 2 loan and a Postgraduate Loan, you’ll repay 15% of the amount you earn over the
threshold.
You do not pay anything back if your income is under the threshold.
Interest starts being added to your loan from when you get your first payment.
Plan 1
The thresholds are £364 a week or £1,577 a month (before tax and other deductions). They change on 6 April
every year.
an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK before 1
September 2012
a Scottish or Northern Irish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in
the UK on or after 1 September 1998
an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 1998,
but before 1 September 2012
an EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Scotland or Northern Ireland on
or after 1 September 1998
Example
You’re paid monthly and your income changes each month. This month your income was £2,000, which is over
the Plan 1 monthly threshold of £1,577.
Your income was £423 over the threshold (£2,000 minus £1,577). You will pay back £38 (9% of £423) this
month.
Example
Your annual income is £27,000 and you’re paid a regular monthly wage. This means that each month your
income is £2,250 (£27,000 divided by 12). This is over the Plan 1 monthly threshold of £1,577.
Your income is £673 over the threshold (£2,250 minus £1,577). You will pay back £60 (9% of £673) each
month.
Interest on Plan 1
You currently pay interest of 1.75% on Plan 1. You can find out how the interest is calculated and interest rates
for previous years (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-interest-is-calculated-plan-1).
Plan 2
The thresholds are £494 a week or £2,143 a month (before tax and other deductions). They change on 6 April
every year.
an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1
September 2012
an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 2012
someone who took out an Advanced Learner Loan (https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan) on or after 1
August 2013
Example
You’re paid weekly and your income changes each week. This week your income was £600, which is over the
Plan 2 weekly threshold of £494.
Your income was £106 over the threshold (£600 minus £494). You will pay back £9 (9% of £106) this week.
Example
Your annual income is £28,800 and you are paid a regular monthly wage. This means that each month your
income is £2,400 (£28,800 divided by 12). This is over the Plan 2 monthly threshold of £2,143.
month.
Interest on Plan 2
While you’re studying, interest is 5.4%.
This is made up of the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 3%. RPI is currently set at 2.4%.
This rate applies until the 5 April after you finish or leave your course, or for the first 4 years of your course if
you’re studying part-time, unless the RPI changes.
After that, your interest rate depends on your income in the current tax year.
If you’re self-employed, your income is the total income amount on your Self-Assessment form.
If you’re an employee, your income is your taxable pay:
plus any pension contributions

minus any benefits you get from your employer that are taxed through payroll (ask your employer if you’re
not sure)
If you have more than one job in a year, your interest rate will be based on your combined income from all your
jobs.
Your annual income Interest rate
£25,725 or less RPI (currently 2.4%)
£25,725 to £46,305 RPI (currently 2.4%), plus up to 3%
Over £46,305 RPI (currently 2.4%), plus 3%
You must keep your contact details up to date in your online account (https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-your-
student-loan-repayment-account) and give SLC evidence if they ask for it. If you do not, you may be charged
the higher interest rate even if your income is lower.
You can find out how the interest is calculated and interest rates for previous years
(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-interest-is-calculated-plan-2).
If you have Plan 1 and Plan 2 loans

You pay back 9% of your income over the Plan 1 threshold (£364 a week or £1,577 a month).
If your income is under the Plan 2 threshold (£494 a week or £2,143 a month), your repayments only go
towards your Plan 1 loan.
If your income is over the Plan 2 threshold, your repayments go towards both your loans.
Postgraduate Loan
The thresholds are £404 a week or £1,750 a month (before tax and other deductions).
You’re on a Postgraduate Loan repayment plan if you’re:
an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Master’s Loan on or after 1 August 2016
an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan on or after 1 August 2018
an EU student who started a postgraduate course on or after 1 August 2016
If you took out a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan in Northern Ireland or a Postgraduate Living Cost Loan in
Scotland you’ll need to repay these under Plan 1.
Example
You’re paid weekly and your income changes each week. This week your income was £600, which is over the
Postgraduate Loan weekly threshold of £404.
Your income was £196 over the threshold (£600 minus £404). You will pay back £11 (6% of £196) this week.
Example
income is £2,400 (£28,800 divided by 12). This is over the Postgraduate Loan monthly threshold of £1,750.
month.
Interest on Postgraduate Loan
You currently pay interest of 5.4% on Postgraduate Loans.
The interest is made up of the Retail Price Index (RPI), plus 3%. RPI is currently set at 2.4%.
You can find out how the interest is calculated and interest rates for previous years
(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-interest-is-calculated-postgraduate-loan).
If you have a Postgraduate Loan and a Plan 1 or Plan 2 loan

You pay back 6% of your income over the Postgraduate Loan threshold (£404 a week or £1,750 a month). In
addition, you’ll pay back 9% of your income over the Plan 1 or Plan 2 threshold.
Example
You have a Postgraduate Loan and a Plan 2 loan.
income is £2,400 (£28,800 divided by 12). This is over the Postgraduate Loan monthly threshold of £1,750 and
the Plan 2 threshold of £2,143.
Your income is £650 over the Postgraduate Loan threshold (£2,400 minus £1,750) and £257 over the Plan 2
threshold (£2,400 minus £2,143).
You will pay back £39 (6% of £650) to your Postgraduate Loan and £23 (9% of £257) to your Plan 2 loan. So
your total monthly repayment will be £62.
Example
You have a Postgraduate Loan and a Plan 1 loan.
income is £2,400 (£28,800 divided by 12). This is over the Postgraduate Loan monthly threshold of £1,750 and
the Plan 1 threshold of £1,577.
Your income is £650 over the Postgraduate Loan threshold (£2,400 minus £1,750) and £823 over the Plan 1
threshold (£2,400 minus £1,577).
You will pay back £39 (6% of £650) to your Postgraduate Loan and £74 (9% of £823) to your Plan 1 loan. So
your total monthly repayment will be £113.
If your income changes during the year

You can ask for a refund (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/getting-a-refund) if you make repayments
but your total annual income (from 6 April to 5 April the following year) is less than:
£18,935 a year for Plan 1

£21,000 for Postgraduate Loans
If you have 2 or more jobs

If you’re employed, your repayments will be taken out of your salary. The repayments will be from the jobs
where you earn over the minimum amount, not your combined income.
Example
You have a Plan 1 loan.
You have 2 jobs, both paying you a regular monthly wage. Before tax and other deductions, you earn £1,000 a
month from one job and £800 a month for the other.
You will not have to make repayments because neither salary is above the £1,577 a month threshold.
Example
You have a Plan 2 loan.
You have 2 jobs, both paying you a regular monthly wage. Before tax and other deductions, you earn £2,300 a
month from one job and £500 a month for the other.
You will only make repayments on the income from the job that pays you £2,300 a month because it’s above
the £2,143 threshold.
If you need to send a Self Assessment tax return
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will work out how much you repay from your tax return
(https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/overview). Your repayments are based on your income for the
whole year. If you’ve already made repayments from a salary, HMRC will deduct them from the amount you
have to repay.
4. How to repay
Your repayments will be taken out of your salary at the same time as tax and National Insurance if you’re an
employee. Your payslips will show how much has been deducted. You may need to tell your employer which
plan you’re on (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/when-you-start-and-finish-repaying).
You start repaying when your income is more than the minimum amount (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-
student-loan/when-you-start-and-finish-repaying).
There’s no penalty if you make voluntary repayments to pay some or all of your loan off early
(https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/make-voluntary-repayments).
If you’re self-employed
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will work out how much you pay from your tax return
(https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/overview). You pay at the same time as you pay your tax
(https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill).
If you’re an employee and you do a tax return

If you earn over the minimum amount, your employer will deduct loan repayments from your salary.
Check your payslips or P60 to see how much of your loan you’ve paid off during the tax year. You’ll need to
include this information when you fill in your tax return.
The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year.
If you go abroad for more than 3 months

If you leave the UK for more than 3 months you need to tell the Student Loans Company (SLC)
(https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/update-your-employment-details). They will work out if you have to
repay while you’re abroad and how much.
The rules for repayment are the same as in the UK, apart from different repayment thresholds for each country.
If you’re abroad, your repayment amounts are based on:
the minimum amount under Plan 1 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-earnings-thresholds-

for-plan-1-student-loans) for that country
the minimum amount under Plan 2 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-earnings-thresholds-
for-plan-2-student-loans) for that country
the minimum amount under the Postgraduate Loan plan
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-earnings-thresholds-for-postgraduate-student-loans) for that
country
You can update your contact details and make voluntary repayments using your online account
(https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-your-student-loan-repayment-account).
Checking your repayments

You can check your repayments and balance in your:
annual statements from SLC

online account (https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-your-student-loan-repayment-account)
If your contact details change, you must update them in your online account.
5. Make voluntary repayments

You can make voluntary repayments towards your student loan. These are in addition to the repayments you
make through your salary or tax return (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/how-you-repay).
There’s no penalty if you make voluntary repayments to pay some or all of your loan off early.
You can choose how your voluntary repayment is applied to your loan. For example, you can use it to pay off
any overdue repayments or reduce the balance of a specific plan (if you have more than one). If you do not
choose how the repayment is applied, the Student Loans Company (SLC) will decide how it’s applied
(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-repayments-are-applied-to-your-balance) for you.
Pay online
Sign in to your online account (https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-your-student-loan-repayment-account) to:
make a repayment using an international or UK debit card

set up a direct debit
Make an online repayment without signing in to an account
Make a card repayment (https://secure.studentloanrepayment.co.uk/portal/page?

_pageid=93,7868110&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL) towards your loan or someone else’s without signing in to
an online account. You need the person’s surname and customer reference number.
Other ways to pay

You can also make voluntary repayments by bank transfer, standing order or cheque.
Bank transfer or standing order
Use the following bank details to make a bank transfer or set-up a standing order from a UK bank account:
Student Loans Company

Sort code: 60 70 80
Account number: 10027254
If you’re transferring money from a non-UK bank account, you’ll need the following details:
IBAN: GB37NWBK60708010027254
SWIFT: NWBKGB2L
NatWest Government Banking Services Branch
2nd Floor
280 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 4RB
For all bank transfers and standing orders, use one of these as your reference:
customer reference number

loan account number (if the repayment’s for a specific loan)
grant reference number (if it’s for a grant overpayment)
Cheque
Make your cheque payable to Student Loans Company Ltd and write the customer reference number on the
back.
Student Loans Company Ltd

Finance Department
100 Bothwell Street
Glasgow
G2 7JD
Pay your loan off in full

Call SLC to find out:
the total amount you owe (this is called the ‘settlement amount’)
the date you need to pay by (this is called the ‘settlement date’)
You’ll need either:
your P60 (https://www.gov.uk/paye-forms-p45-p60-p11d/p60) and your payslips for the current tax year (6 April
to 5 April the following year)
details of your most recent student loan calculation, if you pay through Self Assessment
You can pay by debit card, bank transfer or cheque.
If you do not pay the settlement amount by the settlement date, you’ll need to call again. This is because the
amount you owe might have changed. You’ll only need to provide any recent payslips or calculations since you
last called.
The Student Loans Company
Telephone: 0300 100 0611 (England, Northern Ireland or Scotland)

Telephone: +44 (0)141 243 3660 (outside the UK)
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 9am to 4pm
Telephone: 0300 100 0370 (Wales)

Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)
6. Getting a refund
You can ask for a refund if:
you’ve paid more than your outstanding student loan balance

your annual income was below the threshold
you’ve made repayments before you needed to
You cannot get a refund for voluntary repayments.
If you’ve paid more than your outstanding balance

Ask for a refund if you think you’ve repaid your student loan in full but your employer is still making deductions
from your salary.
The Student Loans Company (SLC) will ask HM Revenue and Customs to tell your employer. It can take
around 4 weeks for salary deductions to stop.
If your annual income was below the threshold

You can ask for a refund if you made repayments but your income over the whole tax year (6 April to 5 April the
following year) was less than:

£21,000 a year for Postgraduate Loan
If your annual salary is less than this, your employer may still deduct repayments - for example if you get paid
a bonus or overtime.
If you’re repaying both a Plan 1 and a Plan 2 loan (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/when-you-start-

and-finish-repaying), you can only get a refund if your income was less than £18,935.
You can check previous thresholds (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/previous-annual-repayment-thresholds) if you ask

about a refund on repayments made before this tax year.
If you started repaying before you needed to

If a deduction is taken from your salary before you’re due to start repaying (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-
student-loan/when-you-start-and-finish-repaying), you can ask for a refund.
How to ask for a refund

Call SLC with your customer reference number.
Telephone: 0300 100 0611 (England, Northern Ireland or Scotland)

Telephone: +44 (0)141 243 3660 (outside the UK)
Saturday, 9am to 4pm
Telephone: 0300 100 0370 (Wales)

Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)
You can also ask in writing.

100 Bothwell Street
Glasgow
G2 7JD
7. Update your employment details

You need to update your details if you:
leave the UK for more than 3 months

start a new job or become self-employed
stop working
get a letter or email from the Student Loans Company (SLC) asking you to update your employment
details
SLC use these details to work out if you should be repaying your loan.
You might get a higher interest rate if you do not update your details.
Start now (https://www.update-student-loan-employment-details.service.gov.uk/open/captureresidency)

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27/10/2019 Print Repaying your student loan - GOV.

Repaying your student loan

Tuition Fee Loans

When you start repaying your loan (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/when-you-start-and-ﬁnish-repaying)

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) (https://www.gov.uk/ad-dalu-eich-benthyciad-myfyrwyr).

You can make voluntary repayments (https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/make-voluntary-repayments) in

2. When you start and ﬁnish repaying

Your repayments automatically stop if either:

you stop working

The earliest you’ll start repaying is either:

the April after you leave your course

2005 to 2006, or earlier When you’re 65

Academic year you took out

Academic year you took out

The earliest you’ll start repaying is either:

the April after you leave your course

When Plan 2 loans get written off

the April after you leave your course

When Postgraduate Loans get written off

If you’ve nearly paid off your loan

If someone with a student loan dies

If you can no longer work because of illness or disability

3. How much you repay

You’re on Plan 1 if you’re:

You’re on Plan 2 if you’re:

While you’re studying, interest is 5.4%.

If you’re an employee, your income is your taxable pay:

plus any pension contributions

Your annual income Interest rate

£25,725 or less RPI (currently 2.4%)

£25,725 to £46,305 RPI (currently 2.4%), plus up to 3%

Over £46,305 RPI (currently 2.4%), plus 3%

If you have Plan 1 and Plan 2 loans

You’re on a Postgraduate Loan repayment plan if you’re:

Interest on Postgraduate Loan

You currently pay interest of 5.4% on Postgraduate Loans.

If you have a Postgraduate Loan and a Plan 1 or Plan 2 loan

You have a Postgraduate Loan and a Plan 2 loan.

You have a Postgraduate Loan and a Plan 1 loan.

If your income changes during the year

£18,935 a year for Plan 1

If you have 2 or more jobs

You have a Plan 1 loan.

You have a Plan 2 loan.

If you need to send a Self Assessment tax return

If you’re an employee and you do a tax return

If you go abroad for more than 3 months

If you’re abroad, your repayment amounts are based on:

the minimum amount under Plan 1 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-earnings-thresholds-

Checking your repayments

annual statements from SLC

5. Make voluntary repayments

make a repayment using an international or UK debit card

Make an online repayment without signing in to an account

Make a card repayment (https://secure.studentloanrepayment.co.uk/portal/page?

Other ways to pay

Bank transfer or standing order

Student Loans Company

customer reference number

Student Loans Company Ltd

Pay your loan off in full

You’ll need either:

You can pay by debit card, bank transfer or cheque.