When do I apply for student finance if I am going to take a gap year?

Hi guys I am currently going into year 13 this september and was thinking of taking a gap year. So what I am going to do is apply for my courses and make my personal statement to get it out of the way and then defer that entry.

The thing is, when do I apply for student finance? Will it be this year or during my gap year? Also, can I keep the references my teachers wrote me or would they have to re write it all over again?

Reply 1

Interea

19

If you're applying for deferred entry, you'll just do the whole UCAS process during year 13, which includes your reference. You don't need another reference unless you decide to apply through UCAS again after year 13 instead of taking up a deferred offer (in which case many colleges will be willing to reuse their reference).

You apply for student finance for each year of your course in around March-May before the next academic year. Since your course would start in September 2025, you'd apply for first year finance in March-May 2025.

Reply 2

Clivierx

OP

13

Original post by Interea

If you're applying for deferred entry, you'll just do the whole UCAS process during year 13, which includes your reference. You don't need another reference unless you decide to apply through UCAS again after year 13 instead of taking up a deferred offer (in which case many colleges will be willing to reuse their reference).

You apply for student finance for each year of your course in around March-May before the next academic year. Since your course would start in September 2025, you'd apply for first year finance in March-May 2025.