If you’re heading to university or returning for another year, your student loan payment can be a pretty exciting notification to see land in your bank account.
But as thousands of students receive their Student Finance payments, scammers are also on the lookout.
The Student Loans Company (SLC) is due to pay around £2.6 billion in maintenance support to 1.1 million students during September 2026. Unfortunately, fraudsters know when these payments are being made and may use convincing texts, emails or phone calls to try to steal your personal information or money.
So, before you click on that message claiming there’s an issue with your Student Finance, here’s what you need to know.
What do Student Finance scams look like?
Student Finance scams can look surprisingly convincing. Fraudsters may pretend to be the Student Loans Company (SLC) or Student Finance England and contact you by email, text message or phone.
You could receive a message claiming that:
- Your maintenance loan payment has been blocked or is at risk.
- You need to urgently update your bank details.
- There is a problem with your Student Finance account.
- Your account will be closed unless you take immediate action.
- You need to confirm your personal or financial information.
The aim is usually to make you panic and act quickly without stopping to check whether the message is genuine.
🚨 Watch out for urgent messages
One of the biggest warning signs is pressure to act immediately.
A scam message might say something like your account will be closed within 24 hours if you don’t respond. This is designed to make you panic and click a link before you have time to think.
The Student Loans Company has confirmed that it will not ask you to provide personal or financial information by email or text message, or send you an urgent deadline threatening to close your account.
So, if a message is making you feel rushed, stop and think before you click.
Don’t click the link
Even if a message looks like it’s from Student Finance, don’t automatically click the link.
Instead, go directly to GOV.UK and log in to your official Student Finance account to check your payment details and account information.
This is one of the easiest ways to avoid accidentally handing your information to a scammer.
It’s also worth remembering that Student Finance England and the Student Loans Company do not provide services through WhatsApp and won’t initiate contact through social media about your application or entitlement.
How to spot a Student Finance scam
Keep an eye out for these common warning signs:
🔗 Unexpected links
Be cautious if you’re sent a link asking you to log in, update your bank details or provide personal information.
⏰ Pressure to act quickly
Messages threatening that your account will be closed or your payment cancelled unless you act immediately should raise a red flag.
💳 Requests for financial information
Never provide your bank details or other financial information in response to an unexpected email or text.
📱 Contact through WhatsApp or social media
Student Finance England and SLC don’t provide services through WhatsApp or contact students through social media about their applications or entitlement.
👤 Requests for personal information
Scammers may try to collect information such as your name, date of birth, customer reference number, course details or address. SLC advises students not to share this information online with unexpected contacts.
What should you do if you receive a suspicious message?
If you receive a message that you think could be a scam, don’t panic.
1. Don’t click any links.
Don’t follow links or provide any information until you’ve checked that the message is genuine.
2. Go directly to GOV.UK.
Log in to your official Student Finance account rather than using a link provided in an unexpected message.
3. Report it.
Suspicious emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk.
You can also forward suspicious text messages to 7726 free of charge.
4. Act quickly if you’ve shared your details.
If you think your Student Finance account may have been compromised, contact the Student Loans Company using the official contact details available on GOV.UK.
Keep your Student Finance safe 🎓
Starting university is an exciting time, and your Maintenance Loan can help cover everything from your student accommodation and food shop to nights out and getting around campus.
Just remember that scammers know when students are expecting their payments too. Staying alert could help you keep your money and personal information safe as you start the new academic year.
For more official advice, visit GOV.UK and check your Student Finance account directly.