How to apply for a student loan

All full-time undergraduate students are eligible for student finance, provided you meet some basic criteria.

Considerations when applying to Student Finance England

There are some key things to consider before you apply to Student Finance England, these are:

1. Residency 

You’re a UK national or have settled status, normally live in your home country, and have been living in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man for three years before the beginning of your course. 

2. Your university

You’re studying at a recognised publicly-funded university or college (or a private institution studying a course approved for public funding). 

3. Your course

You’re studying a recognised full-time course e.g. a first degree, a foundation degree, a Higher National Diploma (HND), or an initial Teacher Training course.

4. It’s your first higher education course 

You can still get some funding if you’ve studied a HE course before, but it will be limited and you’ll have to make up any shortfall. 

Your application for funding from Student Finance

2022/23 - Next Academic Year - deadline dates to apply for funding so it is in place for September.

Deadline to apply for Student Finance - current year students

All students must apply for Student Loans Company (SLC) funding relating to the current academic year within 9 months of the first day of the academic year of their course.

For undergraduate students who started in September 2021 the deadline to apply for 201/22 SLC funding is 31 May 2022.

Students who wish to apply for a Masters Loan or Doctoral Loan must apply within 9 months of the first day of the last academic year of the course.

Please check the table below for your course start date and the relevant application deadline:

• Course start date: Between 1 August and 31 December / Apply by: 31 May after your course started
• Course start date: Between 1 January and 31 March / Apply by: 30 September after your course started
• Course start date: Between 1 April and 30 June / Apply by: 31 December after your course started
• Course start date: Between 1 July and 31 July / Apply by: 31 March after your course started

For more information www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance/when or contact the Funding and Financial Support team.

Applying for next Academic Year

In order for your funding to be in place for the start of the academic year in September you need to apply by:

• New students - 20 May 2022
• Returning/continuing students - 24 June 2022

Further support

Tuition Fee Loans

Tuition Fee Loans are available to cover the full cost of tuition fees upfront.  They’re paid directly to your university or college, so you don’t have to worry about them too much (until it comes time to repay them). 

Usually you can get a Tuition Fee Loan for the duration of your course plus one extra year, e.g. in case you drop out and return at a later date. 

Maintenance Loans 

Maintenance Loans are available to help with some of your living costs at university, e.g. accommodation, transport, food, and books. It’s unlikely this will cover all your living costs, in which case it’s up to you to make up the shortfall. 

How much you get will work on a sliding scale, based on: 

• Where you’re studying – students studying away from home in London receive more to account for the higher cost of living here, compared to those living at home 
• Your household income – students from lower income backgrounds are eligible for more – this is often referred to as ‘means-tested’ finance, and requires your parents/guardians to provide evidence of their income

In some countries, Maintenance Loans are combined with non-repayable grants, with your household income deciding the ratio of loan-to-grant you get, i.e. students from lower income households receive higher grants and thus less in maintenance loans which they have to pay back.

Whatever maintenance support you receive will be paid to you in instalments, at the start of each term. 

A reminder

Both Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans must be paid back once you graduate and you’re earning above a minimum salary. Repayment systems vary from country to country. You have to apply for student finance for each year of your course – not just your first year. This is to guarantee you get the support you’re entitled to throughout your studies. 

You must apply to the student finance body in your country, as well as notify them of any changes to your circumstances, e.g. you leave or change your course. Below is a guide to who looks after student finance in each country.  It can take up to six weeks to process student finance applications. Make sure you apply early – even if you have a conditional offer – as you can amend or cancel your application if your plans change.