SLC Disburses £5.7 Billion in Student Finance for the 2026/27 Academic Year

The Student Loans Company (SLC) plays an essential role in facilitating opportunities for students by administering the student finance system efficiently and effectively.

Significant Milestone in Student Finance Distribution

As students acclimatise to the new academic year, we are pleased to announce a major milestone in our operations. We have successfully delivered the first term maintenance loan payments to students and tuition fee payments to educational providers on their behalf.

This academic year, we have disbursed a remarkable £5.7 billion in student finance funding. This includes £3 billion in maintenance loans that were paid directly to students in September, along with an additional £2.7 billion in tuition fee payments released to higher education institutions this month.

Support for Late Applicants

With the majority of first term payments now completed, we remain committed to assisting those customers who applied for funding after the deadline and may have received only a minimum level of financial support. For students who submitted late applications, we ensured that they received the minimum maintenance loan and their tuition fee loan to secure the necessary funding to begin their term. Any outstanding amounts will be provided as a top-up payment once all required application details are verified.

It is important to note that application processing can take up to four weeks, so we strongly encourage students to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid any delays in funding.

Future Changes in Student Finance Applications

Students commencing courses on or after 1 January will be required to apply for student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) funding. The application process for LLE is set to open by the end of October 2026, marking a significant development in the student finance landscape.

Please be aware that the figures mentioned are provisional. Comprehensive annual figures will be made available in our Student Support for Higher Education statistical release, which is scheduled for publication on 26 November 2026.