Student finance for people who have withdrew and want to go back to a degree

Hi so I went to uni for 2 years and then after my second year retook the year as I failed some modules, dropping out at the start of January, so my second semester. I had an overpayment for grant and now am paying back through direct debits monthly I've just got a place at holloway and was wondering if student finance would fund me for my academic year also I spoke to student fees at the uni and they said you can only pay in two half installments, though I spoke to an advisor and they told me if I want to set up a payment plan to email. When I emailed they said the same thing on the website about paying 50% of fees on the start of year and the other half in January.Please help me as I want to know my options I really want to study this year and have been accepted to a course I'm really excited to learn about I would be able to pay monthly or quarterly for my tuition also I applied for student accommodation too so my maintenance loan will mostly go to that.

okay my gift year would they allow me to use that this year to pay for my first academic year or is there possibility to arrange an payment plan other than 50% in two instalments with the uni.