How arrears can accrue on your student loan account when you’re overseas
This page explains how arrears can accrue on your account when you’re outside of the UK and what you need to do if they build up.
Applies to England
When you’re outside the UK for 3 months or more
If you’ve been living outside the UK for 3 months or more after the date your student loan enters repayment and you’re earning over the repayment threshold for the country you’re living in, you’re expected to make repayments to your loan.
To make sure we can accurately calculate how much you need to repay, you need to complete an Overseas Income Assessment.
How arrears can build up on your account
Arrears will build up on your account if you’re overseas and you:
- have not completed an Overseas Income Assessment. In these circumstances, you’ll be expected to make a fixed monthly repayment which can be as much as £295.20. Arrears will continue to build up for every month you don’t make your repayment
- have completed an Overseas Income Assessment but haven’t made the repayments shown in your repayment schedule
The arrears are part of your overall balance which has become overdue. It’s not an additional charge.
What to do if arrears build up on your account
If you have an arrears balance, you’ll need to make an arrangement with us directly to repay this. You can discuss any arrears on your account by calling our Arrears enquiries line on +44 141 243 3970.
If you’ve returned to the UK and are making repayments to your student loan at the same time you pay tax and National Insurance, these repayments will not go towards any arrears balance you’ve accrued. You’ll still need to contact us to make an arrangement to repay any arrears balance directly to us and continue to make these repayments.
How to make repayments to your student loan
When you have a repayment plan agreed, it’s easy to make repayments directly to us.