EU nationals who have lived in the UK for 3 years

Hi! I've read here that EU nationals who have lived in the UK for the 3 years prior to the start of their course can apply as a UK student and submit evidence to show they have been resident for this period and they will be assessed the same as a UK student. However, I called Student Finance today and they told me that I have to wait 5 years for my EU settled-status to be able to apply as a UK student. Right now I am applying as a migrant worker.
I was wondering if someone could help me understand this a bit more. Did the rules change overtime?
Thank you beforehand.

Hi there. To apply for the home student funding, you need to have settled status and 3 years residency in the UK.

If you have pre-settled status, you can apply for the Maintenance Loan + Tuition fees if you apply as a Migrant Worker. You need to have 3 years residency in the UK to apply for this as well.

More information on eligibility can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/eu-students

Information on Migrant Worker's can be found here: https://www.ucas.com/finance/student-finance-england/student-finance-migrant-workers

The residency criteria can change overtime. Thanks, Leah.

Thank you very much for your response.

Unfortunately, I was not aware of the settled status requirement to apply for funding as a UK student. I classify as a EU migrant worker, and I was supposed to be working from september to october in order to get my second student finance payment. I did not know this and I did not work enough. Is there something I could do to not be penalised for this...?

Thank you.