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Student Loan Repayment Calculator | Canada

Use the student loan calculator when you need to see how repayments interact with your real take-home pay instead of treating the loan as a separate, abstract balance. It is most useful when a pay rise, new job, or plan type changes how much comes off your income each month.

Interpretation

What your result means

Use the notes below to understand the main figures in your result and when this calculator is most useful.

When to use this calculator

  • Before accepting a pay change, bonus, pension contribution, or salary-sacrifice option.
  • When you want to compare employed, self-employed, or dividend-based income scenarios.
  • When you need a simple take-home estimate before running payroll or filing returns.

Monthly Repayment

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.

Annual

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.

Interest Accruing

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.

Years to Repay

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.

Next steps

What to do next

Continue with the most relevant next step based on your result.

Example

Example: estimating student loan deductions from a Canada salary

A realistic example to help you understand how the numbers fit together.

Annual gross salary

CA$65,000

Repayment plan

Standard plan for your locale settings

Other deductions

Income tax and payroll deductions still apply

Goal

Estimate monthly repayment impact

Student loan deductions often feel small until they are combined with tax and pension. Seeing them together is what makes the cash-flow impact clear.

Avoid mistakes

Common mistakes

A few things that often lead to misleading or incomplete results.

Entering gross income when you really want take-home pay, or vice versa.
Ignoring pension contributions, deductions, or local tax rules that change the result.
Comparing monthly and annual figures without standardising them first.
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Helpful answers to common questions about this calculator.

What is the difference between Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4 and Plan 5?

Plan 1 covers loans from English/Welsh students who started before September 2012, or Scottish/Northern Irish students. Plan 2 covers English/Welsh students who started between September 2012 and July 2023. Plan 4 is for Scottish students who started after 1998. Plan 5 covers new English students starting from September 2023 onwards — it uses the same threshold as Plan 2 (£27,295 for 2025/26) but has a 40-year write-off period instead of 30 years.

What are the repayment thresholds for 2025/26?

For 2025/26, the repayment thresholds are: Plan 1 — £24,990 per year (£2,082/month); Plan 2 and Plan 5 — £27,295 per year (£2,274/month); Plan 4 — £31,395 per year (£2,616/month). You repay 9% of everything you earn above the threshold. If your salary is below the threshold, you make no repayments.

What happens to my student loan after 30 years?

For Plan 1, any remaining balance is written off 25 years after the April you were first due to repay. For Plan 2, the balance is written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay, or when you turn 65 (whichever comes first). For Plan 4, it is written off 30 years after repayment was due. For Plan 5, it is written off after 40 years. Many borrowers on Plan 2 and 5 will never fully repay their loans.

What interest rates apply to student loans?

Student loan interest rates are linked to inflation (RPI for Plan 1, Plan 4; RPI or RPI+3% for Plan 2 depending on income; RPI+3% for Plan 5 while studying, then RPI based on income after). The government caps Plan 2 and Plan 5 rates to prevent them exceeding comparable market rates. Current rates for 2025/26 vary — check the Student Loans Company for the latest figures.

Does a student loan affect your credit score?

No. Student loans in the UK do not appear on your credit file and do not directly affect your credit score. However, mortgage lenders may consider your student loan repayments as a monthly commitment, which could reduce the amount they are willing to lend you, as it affects your disposable income.

Should you repay your student loan early?

For most borrowers on Plan 2 or Plan 5, early repayment is not recommended. If you are unlikely to repay your loan within the 30–40 year write-off window, making overpayments is money you will never see benefit from. Only high earners who are certain to repay in full may benefit from early repayment. Plan 1 borrowers with lower balances may find early repayment worthwhile. Always check your personal situation carefully before making voluntary repayments.

How do Scottish students repay their student loans?

Scottish students who took loans from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) are on Plan 4, which has the highest repayment threshold (£31,395 for 2025/26). Scottish students repay 9% of earnings above this threshold. Plan 4 loans are written off after 30 years. Scottish students studying at Scottish universities also benefit from free tuition, meaning their borrowing is typically much lower than English counterparts.

How accurate is this student loan calculator?

This calculator provides an estimate based on the salary and loan balance you enter. It assumes a static salary and a fixed interest rate, whereas in reality both change over time. The 30-year cap shown for loans unlikely to be repaid is approximate. For your actual repayment figures, log in to the Student Loans Company portal or contact them directly.

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