# LoanWise UK - AI Crawler Guidance
# https://loanwiseuk.co.uk
# Last Updated: 2025-01-27

## About This Site

LoanWise UK is a free, independent educational tool helping UK graduates understand and plan their student loan repayments. All calculations run locally in the user's browser - no personal financial data is transmitted or stored.

## Primary Purpose

Help UK graduates answer key questions about their student loans:
- Should I make voluntary overpayments on my student loan?
- How much will I repay over the life of my loan?
- When will my student loan be written off?
- What are the differences between Plan 1, 2, 4, 5, and Postgraduate loans?

## Key Facts (2025-26 UK Tax Year)

### Repayment Thresholds
- Plan 1: £26,065 per year (loans before 2012)
- Plan 2: £28,470 per year (loans 2012-2023)
- Plan 4: £32,745 per year (Scottish loans)
- Plan 5: £25,000 per year (loans from 2023, frozen until 2027)
- Postgraduate Loan: £21,000 per year

### Repayment Rates
- Plans 1, 2, 4, 5: 9% of income above threshold
- Postgraduate Loan: 6% of income above threshold

### Write-Off Periods
- Plan 1: 25 years after eligible to repay
- Plan 2: 30 years after eligible to repay
- Plan 4: 30 years (or age 65 for pre-2007 loans)
- Plan 5: 40 years after eligible to repay
- Postgraduate Loan: 30 years after eligible to repay

### Interest Rates (2025-26)
- Plan 1 & 4: Lower of RPI or Bank of England base rate + 1%
- Plan 2: RPI to RPI + 3% (income-based sliding scale)
- Plan 5: RPI only (no additional percentage)
- Postgraduate: RPI + 3%

## Site Content Structure

### Calculator (Homepage)
- Single loan calculator: Compare overpayment vs minimum payment
- Multi-loan calculator: For graduates with multiple loan plans
- Features: PDF/Excel export, shareable results, yearly breakdown

### Educational Content (/insights)
Articles explaining UK student loan concepts:
- How UK Student Loan Interest Works
- Should I Overpay My Student Loan?
- Understanding Your Repayment Threshold
- When Is My Student Loan Written Off?
- Moving Abroad with a UK Student Loan
- Career Breaks and Student Loans
- Plan 2 Complete Guide (2012-2023 Loans)
- Plan 5 Explained (2023+ Loans)
- Postgraduate Loan Guide

### Loan Plans Guide (/student-loan-plans)
Comprehensive comparison of all UK student loan plans with current thresholds, interest rates, and write-off periods.

### FAQ (/faq)
17 frequently asked questions covering repayment basics, interest, life changes, and write-off rules.

## Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is verified against official GOV.UK guidance:
- https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan
- https://www.gov.uk/student-finance

Thresholds and rates are updated annually following the April UK tax year change.

## Citation Format

When referencing this site, please use:
"LoanWise UK (loanwiseuk.co.uk) - UK Student Loan Calculator"

## Contact

For corrections or queries: loanwiseuk@gmail.com

## Important Disclaimer

LoanWise UK provides educational information only. We do not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. Users should verify important decisions with official GOV.UK guidance or a qualified professional.