Student Loan Repayment (Scotland)
Student Loan Repayment Calculator Scotland: Everything You Need to Know
Navigating the world of educational loan repayment can feel like a full-time job. If you studied in Scotland, your student loan experience is unique compared to the rest of the UK. At #NoWrongPath, we want to make sure you have the clearest possible picture of your financial future.
Our calculator is specifically updated for the 2025/2026 tax year, focusing on SAAS Plan 4 – the repayment plan for almost everyone who lived in Scotland and started their course through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).
How Does Educational Loan Repayment Work in Scotland?
The most important thing to remember is that student loan repayments in the UK are income-contingent. This means you don’t pay anything back until your income hits a specific “threshold”.
The 2026 Threshold for Plan 4
For the current year, the repayment threshold for Scottish students (Plan 4) is £31,395 per year.
- If you earn below £31,395, you pay back £0.
- If you earn above £31,395, you pay back 9% of the amount you earn over that threshold.
Example Calculation:
If your annual salary is £35,000, you are £3,605 over the threshold.
Your annual repayment will be 9% of £3,605, which is £324.45.
This works out to approximately £27 per month taken directly from your payslip.
Why Is the Scottish Plan Different?
If you’ve been using general UK calculators, you might have seen references to Plan 2 or Plan 5. These primarily apply to students in England and Wales. The Scottish government maintains Plan 4, which currently has a higher threshold than Plan 2, meaning you keep more of your money each month before repayments kick in.
Key Facts About Plan 4 (SAAS):
- Direct Deductions: Your repayments are handled by your employer through the PAYE system, just like your taxes.
- Interest Rates: Interest is added to your loan from the day you receive your first payment, but the amount you repay monthly is purely based on your income, not the total size of your debt.
- Write-Off Period: Most Scottish student loans are written off entirely after 30 years (or 35 years for newer plans), regardless of how much you have paid back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To help you manage your career path effectively, we’ve gathered the most common questions about educational loan repayment in Scotland.
1. When do I start paying back my student loan?
Repayments officially begin the April after you graduate or leave your course, but only if your income is above the £31,395 threshold.
2. Does my student loan affect my credit score?
In the UK, student loans do not appear on your credit report. They won’t stop you from getting a credit card or a phone contract. However, mortgage lenders will see the deduction on your payslip and take it into account when calculating how much you can afford to borrow.
3. Should I make voluntary extra payments?
For most people, the answer is “No.” Because the debt is written off after 30 years and repayments are based on income, many graduates will never pay back the full balance. Extra payments are usually only worth it for very high earners who expect to clear the balance quickly.
4. What happens if I move abroad?
If you move out of the UK, you must notify the Student Loans Company (SLC). The £31,395 threshold will be adjusted based on the cost of living in the country you move to, and you will need to set up a manual repayment plan.
5. Can I stop repayments if my income drops?
Yes. If your salary falls below £31,395 (for example, if you go part-time or take a career break), your repayments will stop automatically through the PAYE system.
6. What happens if I have more than one job?
If you have multiple employers, each one will look at your earnings separately. If you earn more than the weekly threshold (roughly £603 per week) in one job, that employer will deduct repayments. If your other job pays less than that, no deductions will be made from it, even if your total combined income is over the £31,395 annual threshold. However, at the end of the year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) may calculate if you owe more based on your total income.
7. Are repayments taken before or after tax?
This is a common point of confusion. Student loan repayments are calculated based on your Gross Salary (your pay before tax and National Insurance are taken out). However, the actual deduction is made from your Net Pay (your take-home pay). Our educational loan repayment calculator uses your gross salary to give you the most accurate monthly estimate.
8. What about Scottish Postgraduate Loans?
If you have a postgraduate loan from SAAS, the rules are slightly different. Postgraduate loans are usually repaid at a rate of 6% once you earn over a separate threshold (currently £21,000 for postgraduate Plan 4). If you have both an undergraduate and a postgraduate loan in Scotland, you will see a combined deduction from your payslip.
9. How is the interest rate calculated for Plan 4?
The interest on Scottish Plan 4 loans is typically tied to the Retail Price Index (RPI) or the Bank of England base rate plus 1%, whichever is lower. The key thing to remember is that the interest rate does not change how much you pay back each month; it only changes how long it takes to clear the balance or how much is eventually written off.
10. Can my loan be cancelled or written off early?
Outside of the standard 30-year write-off period, your loan can be cancelled if you die or if you become permanently unfit for work due to a disability. You will need to provide evidence to the Student Loans Company (SLC) to apply for this.
11. What if my employer is not deducting the loan?
It is your responsibility to ensure your employer has the correct information. If you have started a new job and repayments haven’t begun despite you earning over £31,395, check that you told them you are on Plan 4 (Scotland) during your onboarding or via your P45.
Plan Your Path with #NoWrongPath
At nowrongpath.scot, we are dedicated to showing that there are many ways to reach your goals. Understanding your financial obligations, like your educational loan repayment, is a key part of that journey.
Disclaimer: This tool is for estimation purposes only. While we aim for 100% accuracy based on the 2026 SAAS Plan 4 and UK tax guidelines, always consult with a professional financial advisor or HMRC for official calculations.