THE maximum student maintenance loan no longer stretches far enough to cover the average cost of rent in London, new research reveals today.

Student rents in the capital have skyrocketed by 18 per cent in just two years, according to a new report from Unipol and the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI).

Those from households with incomes under £25,000 a year are eligible for up to £13,348 to cover their living costs while studying.