Student Loans Company (SLC)
Pays student loans and grants on behalf of the UK nations and collects repayments with HMRC.
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Repay your student loan
You only repay when your income is over the threshold for your repayment plan, starting the April after you leave your course. Most people repay through their salary. You must tell the Student Loans Company if you leave the UK for more than 3 months.
Official links
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: repaying your student loan www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan | Whole UK |
| GOV.UK: sign in to your student loan account www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-manage-your-student-loan-balance | Whole UK |
Who handles it
Step by step
- Sign in to your online account to check your repayment plan (Plan 1, 2, 4, 5 or Postgraduate).
- If you are employed, your employer takes repayments from your pay when you earn over the threshold. Check they use the right plan.
- If you are self-employed or do Self Assessment, you repay through your tax return.
- Keep your contact details up to date, and update your employment details if you leave the UK for more than 3 months or come back.
- You can make extra repayments at any time with no penalty, and ask for a refund if you overpaid.
What you need
- Your payslips and P60 (keep them in case you need a refund).
- Proof of your income abroad, such as a recent bank statement, if you live outside the UK.
Common mistakes
- Moving abroad without telling the Student Loans Company. You can build up arrears on top of your normal repayments.
- Being on the wrong plan in your employer's payroll. Download your plan letter and show it to your employer.