When Is My Student Loan Written Off?

Last updated: March 2026 · Check your write-off date

Overview

Every UK student loan has a write-off date. If you haven't fully repaid your loan by that date, the remaining balance — no matter how large — is cancelled at no cost to you. You do not owe anything further and there is no tax to pay on the written-off amount.

Write-Off Timelines by Plan

What Happens at Write-Off?

When your loan reaches its write-off date, the Student Loans Company (SLC) will automatically cancel any remaining balance. You do not need to apply or contact them. Repayment deductions from your salary will stop, and your loan account will show a zero balance.

If you were still making repayments through PAYE, it may take a few months for HMRC to update your tax code. If deductions continue after write-off, you can reclaim them from the SLC.

Is There Tax on the Written-Off Amount?

No. Unlike some other countries (notably the USA), the UK does not treat a written-off student loan as taxable income. The remaining balance simply disappears — there is no tax bill, no impact on your credit score and no further obligation.

Can the Write-Off Rules Change?

In theory, yes — the government could change the terms of student loans retrospectively. However, this has never happened for existing borrowers. When Plan 5 was introduced in 2023 with a 40-year write-off period, the change only applied to new borrowers; existing Plan 2 borrowers kept their 30-year write-off.

The political reality is that retrospective changes to loan terms would be extremely controversial and legally complex. Most commentators consider it unlikely, though it cannot be completely ruled out.

What If I Die or Become Permanently Disabled?

If a borrower dies, the outstanding student loan is written off immediately. It is not passed to next of kin or deducted from the estate.

If a borrower becomes permanently unable to work due to a disability, they can apply to have their loan cancelled. The SLC requires evidence from a medical professional confirming the borrower will never be able to work again.

Common Myths

"My student loan stays forever if I don't pay it off"

False. Every UK plan has a fixed write-off date. The balance is cancelled regardless of how much remains. Most Plan 2 borrowers will have their loan written off — this is by design.

"Employers can see my student loan on my credit file"

False. UK student loans do not appear on your credit report. They do not affect your credit score. The only indirect impact is on mortgage affordability assessments, where lenders factor in the repayment deduction from your salary.

"If I move abroad I don't have to repay"

False. If you move abroad, you are required to inform the SLC and continue making repayments based on your overseas income. The SLC sets country-specific repayment thresholds. Failure to keep up with repayments can result in the full balance becoming immediately due.

When Will My Loan Be Written Off?

Use our student loan calculator to see your projected write-off date based on your course start year and plan type. The results show whether you're likely to clear your debt or have it written off — and how much you'll repay in total either way.