Student Finance Calculator Uprating 2026 Phase 2

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow.rb

@@ -8,14 +8,19 @@ def define
     radio :when_does_your_course_start? do
       option :"2025-2026"
       option :"2026-2027"
+      option :"2027-2028"
 
       on_response do |response|
         self.calculator = SmartAnswer::Calculators::StudentFinanceCalculator.new
         calculator.course_start = response
       end
 
-      next_node do
-        question :what_loans_are_you_eligible_for?
+      next_node do |response|
+        if response == "2027-2028"
+          outcome :outcome_lifelong_learning_entitlement
+        else
+          question :what_loans_are_you_eligible_for?
+        end
       end
     end
 
@@ -133,6 +138,7 @@ def define
       option :"dependant-adult"
       option :"has-disability"
       option :"low-income"
+      option :"care-leaver"
       option :no
 
       on_response do |response|
@@ -148,6 +154,7 @@ def define
     checkbox_question :do_any_of_the_following_apply_all_uk_students? do
       option :"has-disability"
       option :"low-income"
+      option :"care-leaver"
       option :no
 
       on_response do |response|
@@ -209,5 +216,7 @@ def define
     outcome :outcome_tuition_fee_only
 
     outcome :outcome_uk_full_time_dental_medical_students
+
+    outcome :outcome_lifelong_learning_entitlement
   end
 end

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/outcomes/_tuition_maintenance_summary.erb

@@ -5,17 +5,24 @@ You could get a <%= format_money(tuition_fee_amount, pounds_only: true) %> [Tuit
 <% if maintenance_loan_amount > 0 %>
   ## Maintenance Loan
 
-  You could get a <%= format_money(maintenance_loan_amount, pounds_only: true) %> [Maintenance Loan](<%= maintenance_loan_url %>) to help with your living costs.
+  <% if uk_ft_circumstances.include?('care-leaver') || uk_all_circumstances.include?('care-leaver') %>
+    You can choose to borrow the maximum amount.
 
-  How your Maintenance Loan is calculated:
+    If you’re a care leaver, your household income is not used to calculate your Maintenance Loan. Student Loans Company (SLC) will still use your household income to check what other funding you can get.
 
-  <%= format_money(max_loan_amount, pounds_only: true) %> (the maximum Maintenance Loan available)  
-  \- <%= format_money(loan_shortfall, pounds_only: true) %> (the amount you might not be eligible for, based on your answers)  
-  = <%= format_money(maintenance_loan_amount, pounds_only: true) %> (the amount you could be eligible for, based on your answers)
+  <% else %>
+    You could get a <%= format_money(maintenance_loan_amount, pounds_only: true) %> [Maintenance Loan](<%= maintenance_loan_url %>) to help with your living costs.
 
-  You can find out more about [how Maintenance Loans are calculated](/government/publications/student-finance-how-youre-assessed-and-paid).
+    How your Maintenance Loan is calculated:
 
-  You may get less Maintenance Loan in your final year.
+    <%= format_money(max_loan_amount, pounds_only: true) %> (the maximum Maintenance Loan available)  
+    \- <%= format_money(loan_shortfall, pounds_only: true) %> (the amount you might not be eligible for, based on your answers)  
+    = <%= format_money(maintenance_loan_amount, pounds_only: true) %> (the amount you could be eligible for, based on your answers)
 
-  If you need more money to fund your living costs and you qualify, you can apply for extra help.
+    You can find out more about [how Maintenance Loans are calculated](/government/publications/student-finance-how-youre-assessed-and-paid).
+
+    You may get less Maintenance Loan in your final year.
+
+    If you need more money to fund your living costs and you qualify, you can apply for extra help.
+  <% end %>
 <% end %>

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/outcomes/outcome_lifelong_learning_entitlement.erb

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+<% govspeak_for :body do %>
+For courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, you may need to apply for student finance through your Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).
+
+You cannot currently get an estimate through this calculator. 
+
+Read the guide to [find out more about eligibility and how much you could get](/student-finance-on-or-after-1-january-2027).
+<% end %>

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/outcomes/outcome_uk_full_time_dental_medical_students.erb

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
     In each of your first 4 years, you could get:
 
-    <%= render partial: 'tuition_maintenance_summary', locals: { tuition_fee_amount: calculator.tuition_fee_amount, maintenance_loan_amount: calculator.maintenance_loan_amount, maintenance_grant_amount: calculator.maintenance_grant_amount, start_date: calculator.course_start, max_loan_amount: calculator.max_loan_amount, loan_shortfall: calculator.loan_shortfall, tuition_fee_url: "/student-finance/new-fulltime-students", maintenance_loan_url: "/student-finance/new-fulltime-students" } %>
+    <%= render partial: 'tuition_maintenance_summary', locals: { tuition_fee_amount: calculator.tuition_fee_amount, maintenance_loan_amount: calculator.maintenance_loan_amount, maintenance_grant_amount: calculator.maintenance_grant_amount, start_date: calculator.course_start, max_loan_amount: calculator.max_loan_amount, loan_shortfall: calculator.loan_shortfall, tuition_fee_url: "/student-finance/new-fulltime-students", maintenance_loan_url: "/student-finance/new-fulltime-students", uk_ft_circumstances: calculator.uk_ft_circumstances, uk_all_circumstances: calculator.uk_all_circumstances } %>
 
     In your fifth and sixth years, you could get <%= format_money(calculator.reduced_maintenance_loan_for_healthcare, pounds_only: true) %> reduced Maintenance Loan.
     You can also apply for [NHS funding](/nhs-bursaries) and get the following depending on your circumstances:

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/outcomes/outcome_uk_full_time_students.erb

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
   ^You may get a smaller amount of funding to start with while Student Finance England (SFE) reviews your application. They'll send you a top-up payment later if you're eligible for it – [check your online account for updates](/student-finance-register-login).
 
-  <%= render partial: 'tuition_maintenance_summary', locals: { tuition_fee_amount: calculator.tuition_fee_amount, maintenance_loan_amount: calculator.maintenance_loan_amount, maintenance_grant_amount: calculator.maintenance_grant_amount, start_date: calculator.course_start, max_loan_amount: calculator.max_loan_amount, loan_shortfall: calculator.loan_shortfall, tuition_fee_url: "/student-finance/new-fulltime-students", maintenance_loan_url: "/student-finance/new-fulltime-students" } %>
+  <%= render partial: 'tuition_maintenance_summary', locals: { tuition_fee_amount: calculator.tuition_fee_amount, maintenance_loan_amount: calculator.maintenance_loan_amount, maintenance_grant_amount: calculator.maintenance_grant_amount, start_date: calculator.course_start, max_loan_amount: calculator.max_loan_amount, loan_shortfall: calculator.loan_shortfall, tuition_fee_url: "/student-finance/new-fulltime-students", maintenance_loan_url: "/student-finance/new-fulltime-students", uk_ft_circumstances: calculator.uk_ft_circumstances, uk_all_circumstances: calculator.uk_all_circumstances } %>
 
   ###Extra student funding
 

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/outcomes/outcome_uk_part_time_students.erb

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
     - a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma
   <% end %>
 
-  <%= render partial: 'tuition_maintenance_summary', locals: { tuition_fee_amount: calculator.tuition_fee_amount, maintenance_loan_amount: calculator.maintenance_loan_amount, maintenance_grant_amount: calculator.maintenance_grant_amount, start_date: calculator.course_start, max_loan_amount: calculator.max_loan_amount, loan_shortfall: calculator.loan_shortfall, tuition_fee_url: "/student-finance/parttime-students", maintenance_loan_url: "/student-finance/parttime-students" } %>
+  <%= render partial: 'tuition_maintenance_summary', locals: { tuition_fee_amount: calculator.tuition_fee_amount, maintenance_loan_amount: calculator.maintenance_loan_amount, maintenance_grant_amount: calculator.maintenance_grant_amount, start_date: calculator.course_start, max_loan_amount: calculator.max_loan_amount, loan_shortfall: calculator.loan_shortfall, tuition_fee_url: "/student-finance/parttime-students", maintenance_loan_url: "/student-finance/parttime-students", uk_ft_circumstances: calculator.uk_ft_circumstances, uk_all_circumstances: calculator.uk_all_circumstances } %>
 
   ###Extra student funding
 

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/questions/do_any_of_the_following_apply_all_uk_students.erb

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 <% text_for :title do %>
-  Do any of the following apply? (You might get extra funding.)
+  Do any of the following apply?
 <% end %>
 
 <% options(
   "has-disability": "You have a disability, health condition or learning difficulty, for example dyslexia",
   "low-income": "You’re on a low income, for example you find it hard to pay for food and accommodation",
+  "care-leaver": "You are a care leaver",
   "no": "None of these"
 ) %>

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/questions/do_any_of_the_following_apply_uk_full_time_students_only.erb

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 <% text_for :title do %>
-  Do any of the following apply? (You might get extra funding.)
+  Do any of the following apply?
 <% end %>
 
 <% options(
   "children-under-17": "You’ve got children under 17",
   "dependant-adult": "An adult depends on you financially",
   "has-disability": "You have a disability, health condition or learning difficulty, for example dyslexia",
   "low-income": "You’re on low income, for example you find it hard to pay for basics like food and accommodation",
+  "care-leaver": "You are a care leaver",
   "no": "None of these"
 ) %>

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/questions/when_does_your_course_start.erb

@@ -5,4 +5,5 @@
 <% options(
   "2025-2026": "On or after 1 September 2025 and before 1 September 2026",
   "2026-2027": "On or after 1 September 2026 and before 1 January 2027",
+  "2027-2028": "On or after 1 January 2027",
 ) %>

app/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow/start.erb

@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@
   - 2025 to 2026
   - 2026 to 2027
 
-  ^ There’s a different way to check how much you can get if you’re [a student from Scotland](https://www.saas.gov.uk/), [a student from Wales](https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/) or [a student from Northern Ireland](https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/).
+  ^Student finance is changing. If your course starts on or after 1 January 2027, [find out what you could get](/student-finance-on-or-after-1-january-2027).
+
+  There’s a different way to check how much you can get if you’re [a student from Scotland](https://www.saas.gov.uk/), [a student from Wales](https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/) or [a student from Northern Ireland](https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/).
 
   Use this calculator to estimate the amount you could get in:
 

lib/smart_answer/calculators/student_finance_calculator.rb

@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ def initialize(params = {})
         @full_time_credits = params[:full_time_credits]
         @doctor_or_dentist = params[:doctor_or_dentist]
         @uk_ft_circumstances = params.fetch(:uk_ft_circumstances, [])
+        @uk_all_circumstances = params.fetch(:uk_all_circumstances, [])
         @loan_eligibility = params[:loan_eligibility]
       end
 

test/flows/student_finance_calculator_flow_test.rb

@@ -17,6 +17,17 @@ class StudentFinanceCalculatorTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       assert_rendered_question
     end
 
+    context "outcome: outcome_lifelong_learning_entitlement" do
+      setup do
+        testing_node :outcome_lifelong_learning_entitlement
+        add_responses when_does_your_course_start?: "2027-2028"
+      end
+
+      should "render text if course starts on or after 1 January 2027" do
+        assert_rendered_outcome text: "For courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, you may need to apply for student finance through your Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)."
+      end
+    end
+
     context "next_node" do
       should "have a next node of what_loans_are_you_eligible_for? for any response" do
         assert_next_node :what_loans_are_you_eligible_for?, for_response: "2025-2026"
@@ -397,6 +408,12 @@ class StudentFinanceCalculatorTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     should "render the full time student text within the extra help partial" do
       assert_rendered_outcome text: "You might be able to get help with the costs of travel for study or work placements"
     end
+
+    should "render text if student is a care leaver" do
+      add_responses do_any_of_the_following_apply_uk_full_time_students_only?: "care-leaver"
+
+      assert_rendered_outcome text: "If you’re a care leaver, your household income is not used to calculate your Maintenance Loan."
+    end
   end
 
   context "outcome: outcome_uk_part_time_students" do
@@ -474,6 +491,12 @@ class StudentFinanceCalculatorTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
 
       assert_rendered_outcome text: "Social Work Bursary"
     end
+
+    should "render text if student is a care leaver" do
+      add_responses do_any_of_the_following_apply_all_uk_students?: "care-leaver"
+
+      assert_rendered_outcome text: "If you’re a care leaver, your household income is not used to calculate your Maintenance Loan."
+    end
   end
 
   context "outcome: outcome_uk_full_time_dental_medical_students" do
@@ -540,5 +563,11 @@ class StudentFinanceCalculatorTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
 
       assert_rendered_outcome text: "University and college hardship funds"
     end
+
+    should "render text if student is a care leaver" do
+      add_responses do_any_of_the_following_apply_uk_full_time_students_only?: "care-leaver"
+
+      assert_rendered_outcome text: "If you’re a care leaver, your household income is not used to calculate your Maintenance Loan."
+    end
   end
 end