A new online service will enable graduates to easily keep track of their student loan accounts as part of improvements to the repayment system
Millions of graduates will be able to bin their paper statements and access their student loan account online as part of a major revamp to the system, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced today (30 December).
A new online repayment service will go live in 2020 and will allow graduates to see and manage more up to date information about their student loan balance.
The service is part of improvements to modernise the Student Loans Company (SLC) repayment system and will largely replace annual paper statements – although those who prefer the existing paper statements will still be able to receive them.
To stop students over-repaying their loans altogether, the Universities Minister is also calling on graduates to switch to direct debit towards the end of their loan – rather than continue with automatic deductions from their salary.
Earlier this year, the Government introduced legislation to bring in more frequent data sharing between the SLC and HMRC so students can see more up to date loan balances.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said:
From April 2020, graduates will only need to start paying back their loans once they earn £26,575 – a third consecutive annual increase in the repayment threshold. The Government has acted to help graduates keep more money in their pockets in the early stages of their careers.
Under the current student loans plan, borrowers contribute an affordable amount based on their income, only once they reach the salary threshold. The Government subsidises around half of the overall cost of higher education.