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Petition · Department for Education

Scrap parental means testing for student maintenance loans

Closed 48 signatures

What the petition asks

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.
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

Timeline

18 Nov 2025 Petition opened for signatures
18 May 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 48
Status Closed
Department Department for Education
Opened 18 Nov 2025
Closed 18 May 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 19 Aug 2026.