GovWire

When youre outside the UK for 3 months or more

If youve been living outside the UK for 3 months or more after the date your student loan enters repayment and youre earning over the repayment threshold for the country youre living in, youre 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 youre overseas and you:

• have not completed an Overseas Income Assessment. In these circumstances, youll 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 dont make your repayment
• have completed an Overseas Income Assessment but havent made the repayments shown in your repayment schedule

The arrears are part of your overall balance which has become overdue. Its not an additional charge.

What to do if arrears build up on your account

If you have an arrears balance, youll 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 youve 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 youve accrued. Youll 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, its easy to make repayments directly to us.