Sat, 07 Feb 2026

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 Voluntary student loan repayments rise in England

Campaigners have criticised the terms of loans that were issued in England and still exist in Wales.

*The number of graduates making voluntary payments on their post-2012 student loans has increased significantly, with £491.1m paid in the last financial year alone, up from £141.7m in 2017.
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*Many high-earning graduates are voluntarily paying off their loans, but experts warn that for most borrowers, overpaying will have little to no impact on the overall debt and interest charges.
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*The rise in voluntary payments is largely driven by top-earning graduates, with some even using lump sums or inheritance to pay off large balances
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*Experts say parents and family are increasingly stepping in to help with repayments, creating a bigger gap between those who have financial support and those who don't
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*Martin Lewis warns that overpaying can be "money flushed away" for most borrowers, but says it may be beneficial for higher-income earners to clear their debt early
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