47 Cavell Street, London, E1 2BP
London, United Kingdom
02 073 778844
+447448501646
info@afassociatesuk.com
Get tuition fee funding up to £9,535 per year for full-time degrees—with amounts based on your course type and study level. Full details on GOV.UK.
Get living expense support up to £13,762 per year in London—with amounts based on where you live and household income. Full details on GOV.UK.
Get extra grants up to £26,948 per year—with childcare, dependants, and disability allowances based on your circumstances. Full details on GOV.UK.
Earn a minimum of £500 for each successful student referral—with rewards paid in instalments when they enrol on a funded degree. Full details on Refer & Earn.
These are some of the most common starting points — and each one can lead to a funded place at university.
After years on site, in a warehouse, on the road or on your feet all day, the strain adds up. A funded degree can be a step into a career that is less physically demanding.
Shifts, childcare and everyday life mean enrolment never feels like the right time. A quick eligibility check can show what is possible sooner than you think.
Lost or unavailable certificates from your home country are more common than you might think. You may still be able to apply through a Foundation Year pathway.
"My English is not strong enough"
Everyday conversational English is often sufficient to get started. We also offer free preparation support before you apply.
"I'm already too old to go back"
Students regularly begin in their 40s and 50s. Your age is usually less of an obstacle than it feels.
"I'll have to pay an agent or advisor"
There is no charge from us to guide you. Our role is funded once you successfully enrol through our partner universities.
"Student Finance will bury me in debt"
Repayments are income-linked — 9% on what you earn above the plan threshold. Earn less than that and you pay nothing back.
"I can't study and keep working"
Several programmes require only two days on campus per week. Many learners keep their job while completing their degree.
"I don't have certificates from my home country"
That is not always a dead end. A Foundation Year can sometimes open the door without overseas paperwork.
"University will be too much for me"
Feeling unsure is completely normal at the start. We support you with guidance and preparation before classes begin.
A clear side-by-side look at how Student Finance actually works — so you can decide with confidence.
Adjust the figures below for a simple illustration of monthly repayments once you are earning above your plan threshold.
Typical example: tuition plus maintenance over a 3-year degree.
No repayments are taken. You are not asked to pay anything back during your course — deductions only begin after you finish studying, and only if your income is above the plan threshold.
You can pay off your loan early at any time if you want to — there is no penalty for making extra payments or clearing the balance in full.
Any remaining balance is written off when your plan term ends — it is not passed to your family.
Interest is added each year while you owe money. On Plan 5, the rate depends on your income after you finish studying.
If your salary drops below the threshold, repayments pause automatically — you do not need to apply.
Illustration only. Repayment thresholds, interest rates and write-off rules can change. Check official figures on GOV.UK or use the Student Finance calculator before applying.
Estimate tuition funding, maintenance paid to your bank account, and extra grants for 2025/26. Figures are illustrative — your actual award is confirmed when you apply.
Maintenance loan amounts depend on household income — lower income usually means more support.
Maintenance loan + grants into your bank account
Tuition is paid to your university — you do not receive that money in your bank account. Your maintenance loan is paid to you each term.
Grants and allowances are not repayable — childcare, Parents' Learning Allowance, and dependants grants are extra help on top of your maintenance loan if you qualify.
Illustration only for 2025/26. Amounts change each academic year and depend on eligibility, course, and household circumstances. Use the official GOV.UK Student Finance calculator or speak to us before applying.
Typical 2025/26 instalments for year 1 of your course. Student Finance usually pays at the start of each term.
| Expected month | Paid to you | Paid to university |
|---|---|---|
| SeptemberTerm 1 | £4,541 | £3,147 |
| JanuaryTerm 2 | £4,541 | £3,147 |
| AprilTerm 3 | £4,680 | £3,241 |
Maintenance loan and most grants are split roughly 33% / 33% / 34% across the three terms. Tuition fee loans are paid directly to your university in instalments across the same academic year.
Before you submit your application, we prepare you for everything ahead — free of charge.
We check your eligibility, explain tuition and maintenance funding, and help you complete your Student Finance and university applications — free from first call to enrolment.
Every student gets the likely questions and recommended answers for the admission interview. We run real mock interviews on Zoom before the big day. You walk in prepared, not surprised.
We don't disappear after enrolment. We stay by your side for the whole of your studies — whether it's an issue with the university, your coursework, or anything else.
Expert support to guide you through every decision, ensuring you maximize funding, maintain financial stability, and succeed in your education journey.
Attend classes only 1-2 days per week, giving you the flexibility to work and study simultaneously.
Choose from 100+ courses across leading UK universities to match your career aspirations. Browse our courses.
Benefit from council tax reductions and discounts on popular online shopping platforms.
Good Morning
Alex Morgan
Your Balance
£27,868.37
Maintenance loan
Tue 12.05.2021
£4,587.33
Pursuing higher education with AF Associates is not just an academic opportunity but also a financially smart decision.
There are no upfront tuition fees. Funding is provided through government loans, repayable only when you start earning above a specific threshold.
With just 2 days of classes per week, you have the flexibility to work part-time or be self-employed, boosting your income while pursuing your degree.
Here's an overview of how the Student Finance Loan works, how much you can get, and when you’ll need to start repaying.
Clear answers about tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, repayment, eligibility, and benefits for studying in England — written in plain English with official 2025/26 figures. Last updated: 20 July 2026 · Figures for 2025/26 academic year unless stated
No — university is not free in the UK, but most eligible students do not pay tuition fees upfront. You apply for a Tuition Fee Loan (paid directly to your university) and a Maintenance Loan (paid to you for living costs). Repayments start only after your course, and only when your income is above the threshold for your plan.
For the 2025/26 academic year, full-time students can usually get up to £9,535 (up to £9,790 for 2026/27). Accelerated degree courses may qualify for up to £11,440 (or £11,750 from 2026/27). Foundation year amounts depend on your course subject—up to £5,760 for classroom-based courses, or up to £9,535 for partly practical subjects such as science, engineering, or the creative and performing arts. The loan is paid directly to your university. See GOV.UK — new full-time students.
Your Maintenance Loan is paid into your bank account each term. The amount depends on household income and where you live while studying — you may not receive the full maximum. Use the GOV.UK student finance calculator to estimate yours. Maximum amounts for 2025/26:
If your course lasts longer than 30 weeks and 3 days, you may also qualify for a Long Course Loan. See GOV.UK.
The Master's Loan is not based on your income. It is paid directly to you for course fees and living costs. If your course lasts more than a year, the loan is split across each year in three instalments (33%, 33%, 34%). Maximum amounts:
No. Your Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to your university, and your Maintenance Loan is paid into your bank account for living costs such as rent, food, and travel. You only start repaying after you finish or leave your course — and only when your income is above the repayment threshold for your plan.
Rules can differ for EU nationals, part-time study, and previous study. Check GOV.UK — who qualifies.
Yes. There is no upper age limit for Tuition Fee Loans or Maintenance Loans for undergraduate study in England. Mature students and students over 25 use the same application process through Student Finance England. Your age does not cap the loan — but household income still affects your Maintenance Loan amount.
Yes, in many cases. If your online course is eligible and delivered by an approved university or college, you can usually get a Tuition Fee Loan. Whether you can get a Maintenance Loan depends on full-time vs part-time status and your personal eligibility. Always confirm course eligibility with the provider and Student Finance England before you apply.
Apply as early as possible once applications open (usually spring before your course starts). You do not need a confirmed university place — update your course details later if needed. Apply through Student Finance England.
Maintenance Loans are paid in instalments at the start of each term, directly into your UK bank account. For a standard three-term year, payments are usually split 33%, 33%, and 34% — for example at the start of September, January, and April. You need a UK bank account in your name and must be registered on your course before payments are released.
No. Repayments start only after you finish or leave your course and your income is above the threshold for your plan. If you earn below the threshold, you pay nothing that month. You can make voluntary extra payments at any time if you choose.
Plan 5 applies to most English undergraduate courses starting on or after 1 August 2023. You repay 9% of income above £25,000 a year (£2,083 a month).
Example: income of £33,000 a year (£2,750 a month) → £2,750 − £2,083 = £667 → 9% of £667 = about £60 a month.
Other plans: Plan 1 (£26,900 threshold), Plan 2 (£29,385), Plan 4 (£33,795) — all at 9%. Postgraduate Loan threshold is £21,000 at 6%. See GOV.UK — what you pay.
Any remaining balance is written off after a set period, depending on your plan:
If you never earn above the threshold, you may pay nothing and the loan can still be written off at the end of the period.
Student loans do not appear on your credit file like a credit card or personal loan, so they do not directly affect your credit score. Mortgage lenders may consider your monthly repayment when assessing affordability, but a student loan does not automatically stop you getting a mortgage.
Some students can claim Universal Credit, but full-time students are usually excluded unless an exception applies — for example if you are a lone parent, disabled with limited capability for work, or have a partner who qualifies. Check GOV.UK — Universal Credit eligibility or speak to an adviser before applying.
Yes. Part-time work usually does not affect your Tuition Fee Loan or Maintenance Loan. Your maintenance amount is based mainly on household income, not your wages. Earnings may affect benefits such as Universal Credit — check how your income interacts with any benefits you already receive.
You may get extra financial help if you are on a low income, disabled, have children or dependants, or study certain courses. You usually do not repay this extra help. Examples include:
Use the student finance calculator or see GOV.UK — extra help.
Register your interest in under 2 minutes. A dedicated student advisor will contact you to check eligibility, explain tuition and maintenance funding, and guide you through every step to enrolment.
Prefer to talk? Call us Mon–Fri, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — 02 073 778844
Or request a callback belowWant to learn more about funded education options? Request a callback from our expert team, we’ll guide you through your options and help answer any questions about student finance and eligibility.
