Repaying your student loan
When your student loan gets written off or cancelled
When your student loan gets written off depends on which repayment plan you’re on.
If you’re a full-time student from Wales, you may be able to get £1,500 of your Maintenance Loan written off.
When Plan 1 loans get written off
When your Plan 1 loan gets written off depends on when you were paid the first loan for your course.
If you were paid the first loan on or after 1 September 2006
The loans for your course will be written off 25 years after the April you were first due to repay.
If you were paid the first loan before 1 September 2006
The loans for your course will be written off when you’re 65.
When Plan 2 loans get written off
Plan 2 loans are written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
When Plan 4 loans get written off
When your Plan 4 loan gets written off depends on when you were paid the first loan for your course.
If you were paid the first loan on or after 1 August 2007
The loans for your course will be written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
If you were paid the first loan before 1 August 2007
The loans for your course will be written off when you’re 65, or 30 years after the April you were first due to repay – whichever comes first.
When Plan 5 loans get written off
Plan 5 loans are written off 40 years after the April you were first due to repay.
When Postgraduate Loans get written off
If you’re a student from England or Wales, your Postgraduate Loan will be written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
If you’re a postgraduate student from Northern Ireland, you’re on Plan 1.
If you’re a postgraduate student from Scotland, you’re on Plan 4.
If someone with a student loan dies
The Student Loans Company (SLC) will cancel the person’s student loan.
You need to let SLC know that the person has died and provide evidence (for example an original death certificate), as well as the person’s Customer Reference Number.
If you can no longer work because of illness or disability
SLC may be able to cancel your loan if you claim certain disability benefits. You’ll need to provide evidence (for example a letter from the benefits agency) and your Customer Reference Number.