Glossary · UK
What is Maintenance Loan Household Income Assessment?
The means test that sets how much Maintenance Loan a student can borrow based on parental or household income.
Full Definition
The Maintenance Loan household income assessment is the means test Student Finance England (and the equivalent devolved bodies) use to calculate how much of the available Maintenance Loan a student can borrow towards living costs. Students from lower-income households qualify for a larger loan, while those from higher-income households receive a lower loan (though never below a guaranteed minimum), because parents or partners are expected to contribute more themselves. The assessment uses household income from a recent tax year, is separate from the non-means-tested Tuition Fee Loan, and rates differ for students living away from home in London versus elsewhere.