The Student Room Group

Student finance explained by SLC

Got a question about student finance? Our experts are here to help.

Sue is one of Student Finance England's experienced Student Finance Advisors. She specialises in Student Finance England applications (SFE) and Postgraduate Loans (PGL).Sue has worked in Student Finance England’s Customer Services Team for over five years. As a Customer Advisor, she provides information, advice and guidance to students, partners, parents and university practitioners.

Joanne is an experienced customer advisor within Student Finance England, specialising in EU applications, Postgraduate loans, Childcare Grants and Disabled Students’ Allowances.


Please be aware all answers will be posted on Monday 12 February.
(edited 6 years ago)

Scroll to see replies

I just moved in to the Uk and by the time I apply for university I will have spent 1 year and some months in Uk(England) and by the time I start in September 2019 I will have spent 2 years and some months . I have an “indefinite leave to enter” status settlement , I want to know whether I am eligible for student finance even when I have been in for less than 3 years though am on indefinite leave.
When will student finance open for 2018?
Original post by chuckymeg
When will student finance open for 2018?


About time they did. Usually it opens in January but here we are waiting like always :////////////
Reply 4
Do I have to have a specific student bank account or will any bank account do?
Thanks
Reply 5
Hi
Why are maintenance loans are means tested. It seems to punish the squeezed middle ? Surely students are adults and can borrow what they need. Accommodation costs being a massive issue.
Is there any dispensation/increased finance option if you are sending twins to uni at the same time ?
Original post by Elliwhi
About time they did. Usually it opens in January but here we are waiting like always :////////////


I know right.

I keep seeing Student Finance England posting on Facebook "applications will open soon", but they've been saying that for the past month!
Are student finances different if you have siblings going to (same/different) universities?

e.g. would one sibling have less/more maintenance loan or something?

Thank you!
Are non-EU students eligible?
I have not lived with my parents for 5 years. I am a mature student. How will my maintenance loan be calculated? Will it take into consideration mine and my partners wages for the last year? I will not be earning at all if I get into university. He will be supporting both of us on his wage.
Reply 10
If your course is longer than one year do you have to apply for student finance every year or once is enough?
Hi, I want to apply for student loan, however I've been hearing that the eligibility criteria had been changed and you have to have lived in the UK for 5 years. I want to start my university course in September 2018, but I'm not sure if I will get the loan. By September 2018, I would have been in the UK for 4 years, does anyone know if I'll be able to get the loan?
Thanks
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by chuckymeg
When will student finance open for 2018?


Undergraduate full time application's for 18/19 are available from today.
Original post by KirstenFA
Do I have to have a specific student bank account or will any bank account do?
Thanks


Good Morning,

In answer to your question about specific bank accounts.

Due to financial regulations your Student Finance payments must be paid into your own account. We are unable to make payments to an account belonging to a third party (e.g. parent/partner). You can have your student finance paid into a standard bank or building society account; for example, a current account or a basic bank account (also called an introductory account).

We are unable to accept overseas accounts, the institution must be based in the UK.

Trust that this answers your question.

Kind regards

Sue
How do maintenance loans work for medical students within and out of london? It seems like it gets reduced in year 4, why?
Am I eligible for more student finance than normal if I have a disability? If so, what conditions constitute a disability?
Original post by toplady
If your course is longer than one year do you have to apply for student finance every year or once is enough?


Good Morning,

In answer to your question about the application process for returning students.

I can confirm that it is normal that you would have to apply each and every year of the of your course to ensure that funding continues for the full duration of your course.

Kind Regards

Sue
Original post by chuckymeg
When will student finance open for 2018?


Good morning,

I can confirm that Undergraduate Full Time Applications, have opened today.

Please submit an application online for the quickest method of response.

Kind regards

Sue
Good morning! What would happen if I applied for student finance on the basis of having been offered a conditional place at a university, but then I didn't meet the conditions to get that place? Would I have to contact anybody to cancel my application or would I only get the loan on the basis that I *was* accepted onto a course?
Original post by Shish_bish
I just moved in to the Uk and by the time I apply for university I will have spent 1 year and some months in Uk(England) and by the time I start in September 2019 I will have spent 2 years and some months . I have an “indefinite leave to enter” status settlement , I want to know whether I am eligible for student finance even when I have been in for less than 3 years though am on indefinite leave.


Hello,

To be eligible for funding with a settled status you would be required to show 3 years residency in the UK. This is based on current guidelines for 18/19, as your course is due to start September 2019 this would fall under 19/20. If there is any changes to policy this will be updated on the GOV.UK website.

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies

Regards