One of the things students often worry out is when does your student loan get written off? Finance and the cost of living is a big one for students (or potential students deciding on whether or not to go to uni), so it makes sense to think ahead about paying back your student loan. That’s why we’ve put together all the information about when student loan is written off, breaking it down by different student loan plans to help you out.
When does student loan get written off?
When does student loan get written off?
Start Year | When your student loan is written off |
---|---|
1990-97 (if you’re under 40 years old during final year of study) | Age 50 or 25 years from your first payment from your final year loan agreement |
1990-97 (if you’re over 40 years old during final year of study) | Age 60 |
1998-2005 (UK except Scotland) | Age 65 |
1998-2006 (Scotland) | Age 65 or 30 years after the April following your final year of university |
2006-11 (UK except Scotland) | 25 years after the April following your final year of university |
2007 – present (Scotland) | 30 years after the April following your final year of university |
2012 – 22 (England) | 30 years after the April following your final year of university |
2012 – present (Northern Ireland) | 25 years after the April following your final year of university |
2012 – present (Wales) | 30 years after the April following your final year of university |
2023 – present (England) | 40 years after the April following your final year of university |
When do Plan 1 loans get written off
If you started your course before 1st September 2012, you’ll be on plan 1. But that doesn’t necessarily determine the exact time your student loan will be written off. According to Gov.uk, if they paid you the first loan on or after 1st September 2006, they will write off your student loans 25 years after the April you first became due to repay. If they paid you the first student loan before 1st September 2006, they will write off your student loan when you turn 65.When do Plan 2 loans get written off
According to Gov.uk, if you started your course between the 1st September 2012 and 31st July 2023, you’ll be on plan 2 when it comes to student loan repayments. Plan 2 loans are written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.What about Plan 4 and postgraduate loans?
You’ll be on Plan 4 if you applied to Student Awards Agency Scotland, whether for an undergraduate course or a postgrad. Again, according to Gov.uk, they will write off your plan 4 student loans 30 years after the April you first became due to repay your student loan. If they paid you the first loan before 1st August 2007, they will write off your student loan either when you turn 65 or 30 years after the April you first became due to repay – whichever comes first.If you’re on Plan 5?
You’ll be on plan 5 if you start your course on or after the 1st of August 2023, whether an undergraduate course, PGCE or if you take out an Advanced Learner Loan. As stated on the Gov.uk site, plan 5 loans are written off 40 years after the April you were first due to repay.When do you start student loan repayments?
Once you graduate, it’s totally normal to instantly miss your uni days. You know, rolling out of bed late, nights out (and fun nights in), societies, dating, the lot. Now it feels like you’ve been sent out into the big bad world, in need of a graduate job and work experience… With a student loan to pay back… At some point. But when do you start paying your student loans back? Well, you don’t need to worry about that just yet. You’ll only start repaying your student loan when you hit the repayment threshold. It’s important to keep an eye on the student loan repayment threshold, as this threshold changes on the 6th of April each year. According to the Gov.uk site: The earliest you’ll start repaying is:- the April after you leave your course
- the April 4 years after the course started if you’re studying part-time or doing a Postgraduate Doctoral course and your course is longer than 4 years
- April 2026 if you’re on Plan 5
- you stop working
- your income goes below the threshold
Loan repayment plan for plan 1 student loans
As stated on the Gov.uk website, here are the current repayment thresholds for student loans: For plan 1, you’ll only repay when your income is over £423 a week, £1,834 a month or £22,015 a year.Repaying student loan on plan 2
You’ll only repay your student loans when your income is over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year.Paying back plan 4 student loans
You’ll only repay your loan when your income is over £532 a week, £2,305 a month or £27,660 a year.Plan 5 repayment threshold
You’ll only repay your student loans when:- Your income is over £480 a week
- £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year
Repaying an overpayment
If the Student Loans Company (SLC) has paid you more student loan or grant than you’re entitled to, they will write to you to request repayment of this amount – separate from your student loan.Can you pay off student loans early?
One common question among students and graduates is whether they can pay off their student loans early. This might be partially or fully. The straightforward answer is yes, you can pay off your student loans ahead of schedule in the UK, and there are no penalties for doing so. This option can be particularly appealing for those looking to reduce the amount of interest accrued over time or to free themselves from debt sooner. When considering early repayment, it’s important to evaluate your financial situation carefully. Here are some key points to consider:- No Early Repayment Penalties: Unlike some other forms of debt, UK student loans do not incur penalties for early repayment. This flexibility allows borrowers to make additional payments whenever they are financially able to.
- Interest Rates: Student loan interest rates in the UK can vary based on your circumstances and the type of loan. Understanding how interest is calculated on your loan can help you determine the potential savings from early repayment.
- Budgeting and Financial Priorities: Assess your overall financial health. If you have other debts with higher interest rates, it might be more beneficial to pay those off first. Additionally, consider building an emergency fund and contributing to savings or investments that might offer higher returns.
- Automatic Repayment Thresholds: Remember that student loan repayments are typically taken automatically through the UK tax system once your income reaches a certain threshold. Paying off your loan early means you’ll stop these automatic deductions sooner, potentially increasing your take-home pay.
- Long-Term Financial Impact: Weigh the long-term effects of paying off your student loan against other financial goals, like saving for a house or retirement. Since student loans are written off after a certain period, it’s worth considering whether early repayment is the best use of your funds.
- How to Make Extra Payments: If you decide to pay off your loan early, you can make extra payments at any time directly to the Student Loans Company (SLC). It’s straightforward to do this online or by other payment methods offered by the SLC.
Topic expertise: Loans, Repayment Plans, Student Debt, Financial Planning, Government Policy
FAQs on Student Loan Write-Off (2025)
It depends on your loan plan. For Plan 1 loans (first taken after September 2006), loans are written off 25 years after April you were due to repay, or at age 65 for older loans. Plan 2 loans are written off after 30 years, and Plan 5 loans after 40 years from the April you were due to repay.
Loan eligibility for write-off is based on the time since repayment was due, not where you live or your work status. However, you must update Student Loans Company if you move overseas.
Student loans can be written off early if you become permanently disabled and unfit for work, or in rare cases of death. Documentation is required in either case.
No. Early repayments reduce your balance, but the cancellation date is fixed by your original repayment terms.
If you expect to repay the full balance before write-off, early payment may save on interest. However, many never repay the entire loan before it’s written off, so early repayment is a personal choice.
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Aminah is a dedicated content expert and writer at Unifresher, bringing a unique blend of creativity and precision to her work. Her passion for crafting engaging content is complemented by a love for travelling, cooking, and exploring languages. With years spent living in cultural hubs like Barcelona, Sicily, and Rome, Aminah has gained a wealth of experiences that enrich her perspective. Now based back in her hometown of Manchester, she continues to immerse herself in the city's vibrant atmosphere. An enthusiastic Manchester United supporter, Aminah also enjoys delving into psychology and true crime in her spare time.
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