CIF loan repayment.
DfE academy loans operate as fixed-rate annuity loans. The calculator returns the monthly and annual repayment and the total interest paid over the term.
Compiled by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, founder, Digital Signet. Reviewed against ESFA Information for Applicants 2026-27 and the Condition Funding Methodology March 2026 revision.
Loan terms
Principal range, fixed annual rate set at offer stage, term length typically 5 to 25 years. The trust receives the rate in writing in the offer letter.
How the rate is set
The rate is set centrally by DfE and is not directly indexed to Bank Rate. Historical CIF loan rates have moved slowly relative to Base Rate.
Early repayment
Early repayment is generally permitted on standard academy-loan terms. The trust confirms the position with DfE before drawing the loan.
Worked example
A £250,000 loan over 20 years at an indicative 4.5% returns approximately £1,582 per month and approximately £129,765 in total interest. The calculator below replays this for the trust's own inputs.
Indicative only. The actual DfE loan rate is set at offer stage and confirmed in writing. Source: gov.uk academy loans guidance.