Mature students can get the same Student Finance England support as school leavers, often more. There is no upper age limit for the Tuition Fee Loan on courses starting before 2027, students aged 25 or over are assessed on their own income rather than their parents', and parents and carers can claim non-repayable grants worth thousands of pounds a year.
Can you get student finance as a mature student?
Yes. Student Finance England has no upper age limit for the Tuition Fee Loan or grants on courses starting before 1 January 2027. In 2026/27 you can borrow up to £9,790 a year for tuition on a standard full-time course and up to £14,135 a year for living costs if you study in London. You need to meet the usual rules on residency, previous study and course type, which we cover in who is eligible for student finance.
The only age-related limit today applies to people aged 60 or over on the first day of their course, who get a reduced Maintenance Loan of up to £4,582. From January 2027, under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, the Tuition Fee Loan is only available if you are under 60 when your course starts.
How is a mature student's household income assessed?
If you are 25 or over on the first day of the academic year, you are treated as an independent student. Your parents' income is ignored. Instead, Student Finance England looks at your own income and, if you have one, your spouse's, civil partner's or live-in partner's income. You can also be independent under 25 if you are married, support a child, have supported yourself for three years, or are estranged from your parents.
Your own income from employment before the course usually does not count in the way people fear, because the assessment uses income during the academic year. If you are leaving work to study full time and have no partner income, you will often qualify for the maximum Maintenance Loan: £10,830 away from home outside London, £14,135 in London, or £9,118 if you live with your parents. Some unearned income, such as savings interest, may count.
What extra grants can parents and carers get?
These grants are paid on top of your loans and do not have to be repaid. Amounts for 2026/27 are unchanged from 2025/26.
| Support | 2026/27 amount | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Grant | 85% of costs, up to £199.62 a week (1 child) or £342.24 a week (2 or more) | Full-time students paying for registered childcare for children under 15, or under 17 with special educational needs |
| Parents' Learning Allowance | £50 to £2,024 a year | Full-time students with dependent children, for course costs |
| Adult Dependants' Grant | Up to £3,545 a year | Full-time students with an adult, such as a partner, who depends on them financially |
| Disabled Students' Allowance | Up to £27,783 a year | Students with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty |
The Childcare Grant, Parents' Learning Allowance and Adult Dependants' Grant depend on household income. The Disabled Students' Allowance does not; it is based on your needs. From 2026/27, new students whose adult dependant lives overseas can no longer get the Adult Dependants' Grant.
How does the Childcare Grant work?
The Childcare Grant pays up to 85% of your actual childcare costs, capped at £199.62 a week for one child or £342.24 a week for two or more. That could be worth over £10,000 a year for a family with two children in full-time childcare. The childcare must be registered, for example with Ofsted, and it cannot be provided by a relative in your home.
The grant is paid directly to your childcare provider through the Childcare Grant Payment Service, not to you. You must be studying full time and eligible for student finance. You cannot usually get it at the same time as Tax-Free Childcare or the childcare element of Universal Credit, so compare which works out better for your family.
Does student finance affect benefits?
It can. Most full-time students cannot claim Universal Credit, but there are exceptions, for example if you are a parent responsible for a child, or have a disability and limited capability for work. If you are eligible for benefits, Student Finance England has a higher Maintenance Loan rate: up to £10,757 at home, £12,345 away outside London and £15,415 in London in 2026/27. The Adult Dependants' Grant can also affect income-related benefits. Ask your Jobcentre or a benefits adviser before you start.
Can you study if you do not have A levels?
Yes. Many mature students start with a foundation year, an Access to HE Diploma, or an HND, all of which can lead to a full degree. Access to HE courses are funded by an Advanced Learner Loan, and if you go on to complete an eligible higher education course, the outstanding Advanced Learner Loan for the Access course is written off. Our page on studying without qualifications and our guide to funding for HNDs, foundation years and top-ups explain the routes.
What if you studied years ago and did not finish?
Previous study is taken into account, but it rarely rules you out entirely. Tuition funding is worked out as the length of your new course plus one year, minus years already studied. One unfinished year from a decade ago typically still leaves you funding for a full three-year degree. If you left for compelling personal reasons such as illness or caring, you can ask for that year to be disregarded.
How do mature students repay the loan?
The same way as everyone else. New students are on Plan 5: 9% of income above £25,000 a year, from the April after you leave, with any balance written off after 40 years. Because the write-off is based on time rather than age, many people who start later in life repay less of the balance in total. See our Plan 5 guide.
Figures in this guide are for the 2026/27 academic year and are general information, not financial advice. Confirm the latest details on gov.uk before you apply.
Where should you start?
Returning to education as an adult is a big step, and money is only one part of it. We help adults find HNDs, foundation years and degrees at campuses in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and beyond. Browse courses, read our FAQs, or message us on WhatsApp for free, friendly guidance.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Student finance, who qualifies
- DfE: Support with living and other costs, 2026 to 2027 academic year
- GOV.UK: Childcare Grant
- GOV.UK: Parents' Learning Allowance
- GOV.UK: Adult Dependants' Grant
- GOV.UK: Disabled Students' Allowance
- GOV.UK: Advanced Learner Loan
- GOV.UK: Eligibility if your course starts on or after 1 January 2027