Scrap parental means testing for student maintenance loans

48
signatures
closedDepartment for EducationOpened 18 November 2025Closed 18 May 2026

Background

For many, student Finance England's maintenance loans are based on household income. Parent's aren't legally obliged to make up any shortfall, and students are financially responsible for their own expenses, e.g. food/rent. We think students should be treated independently.

Additional details

In England, students under the age of 25 (unless in very limited exceptions) have their maintenance loan means tested against their Household Income (including step parents). The threshold above which the maximum loan decreases is set at £25,000, and has been since 2008. Many working class households are being expected to contribute increasing amounts towards education

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 746282.