Return to University - what's available to me?

I initially went to university straight after sixth form. In hindsight I wasn't ready for it and felt pretty burnt out with education (as my disappointing results showed) but with the changes to fees being made I stupidly went through clearing and attended university. My A level results were A, B, C (History, Physics, Maths) having been predicted A, A, A. Retrospectively I was probably suffering from mental health problems at the time.

Anyway I attended university, passed the first year with few problems.

First semester of second year went well and then I well and truly ended up in a rut after christmas. My mental health declined quite rapidly, I had chronic migraines and just struggled with living. I got medicated for the migraines and ended up being granted a repeat year due to mitigating circumstances.

That summer I had counselling provided by an adoption charity (I was adopted as a baby and they had services available at the time) and stupidly reasoned I was 'fixed' and returned to have a second shot of my second year. This went terribly and I dropped out properly that January to start an advanced apprenticeship (with a company that went bust a year later, leaving me high and dry). I got an HNC in mechanic engineering as a consolation prize for the modules I completed.

I am now in my mid 20s, and having done a few jobs, started a small business and generally grown to be quite happy and confident with myself I feel like higher education is something I should return to. My lack of degree has held me back significantly (which led to me starting my own business, the alternative is minimum wage and zero hour contracts in unskilled work) and I feel I need to change this.

tl;dr:
Completed first year of university
Failed Second year
Granted repeat year due to mitigating circumstances
Dropped out while repeating year
Would like to return to university

My financial situation:
I have no savings, I live invoice to invoice.
I believe I can get 1 more year of student finance for my final year of whatever I study.
My student debt is pre-2011.

What are my options as far as student finance is concerned? Can I claim back those two years where I struggled with my mental health? Would I be better off seeking other avenues of financing higher education?

Thanks for your help.

Hi

The rule regarding previous study states that students are entitled to the duration of their new course plus 1 extra year, minus any previous years of study.

If you start a new 3 year course, you would only receive a Tuition Fee Loan for 2 of the years and this would be awarded in years 2 and 3. You would not receive a Tuition Fee Loan in your first year.

If you had to withdraw from your previous course due to illness we may consider your extenuating circumstances. You may be eligible to receive an additional year of finance.

You would need to make an application and then send a letter to SFE explaining your compelling personal reasons. Evidence would be required ie letter from your doctor and a letter from the university you withdrew from.

Thanks