UK Disburses £5.7bn in Student Loans for First Term of 2026/27 Academic Year

The United Kingdom has disbursed £5.7 billion in student finance for the first term of the 2026/27 academic year, providing financial support to students and educational institutions across the country.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) disclosed the figures in a statement published on the UK Government’s website on Wednesday, noting that the payments covered maintenance loans and tuition fees.

According to the company, £3 billion was paid directly to students in September to support their living expenses, while another £2.7 billion was released to education providers in October to cover tuition fees.

The SLC said most first-term payments had been completed, although it was continuing to process applications from students who submitted their requests after the deadline.

It explained that students who applied late might initially receive only the minimum maintenance loan alongside their tuition fee loan, allowing them to begin their academic term while their applications were being finalised.

The company said outstanding balances would be paid as top-ups once applicants’ details had been verified and all necessary information received.

It noted that processing applications could take up to four weeks and encouraged students to submit their applications early to avoid delays in receiving financial support.

The SLC also announced changes to the application process for students beginning courses on or after January 1, 2027. Such students will apply for financial support through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) funding scheme, with applications expected to open by the end of October 2026.

The LLE is intended to provide a funding framework for eligible education and training throughout an individual’s working life, supporting access to further study and skills development.

The company cautioned that the £5.7 billion figure remained provisional. Full-year data is scheduled for publication in its Student Support for Higher Education statistical release on November 26, 2026.

The payments form part of the UK’s student finance system, which provides eligible students with loans for living costs and tuition fees to help them pursue higher education.

The SLC continues to administer the funding process and urged applicants to provide accurate information and respond promptly to requests for additional documentation to ensure their payments are processed efficiently.