Dropping Out: Funding for Undergrad?

Hi,

So a bit of a unique scenario for me. I completed my high school education overseas whilst my family lived in the UK, and then I returned to live with them in 2022, after my studies finished. When I applied for my first undergrad degree (in October 2022), I was classified as an international student. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, I can no longer afford to fund my degree as an international student. As such, I am facing the prospect of dropping out of my current uni and restarting my undergrad studies from 2025, at which point I would, by default, be a home student (as my family has been living in the UK for almost 10 years, and I have been living with them continuously since 2022).

I am hopeful that if I apply as a home student, I would be able to also rely on student finance to support my studies. I have been told to confirm, however, whether I would be eligible for SFE finance. Could someone please confirm whether my circumstances would allow me to claim student finance, as this would be my first undergraduate degree I would be beginning as a home student (and I will not have completed my current undergrad degree).

Reply 1

Drew SLC

Official Rep

Hi there,

What nationality are you? How many years have you studied on your current course? Can you confirm the full name of the new course, what university will you attend and the duration of the course?

Thanks, Drew

Reply 2

_shehryar_

Original post

by Drew SLC

Hi there,
What nationality are you? How many years have you studied on your current course? Can you confirm the full name of the new course, what university will you attend and the duration of the course?
Thanks, Drew

Hi, I am a British citizen since birth, have studied 1 year (and now about to enter my second).

I have not yet gotten a place at the new course, but am asking this prospectively. If I do proceed down this route, it would be English at Oxford for 3 years.

Reply 3

Drew SLC

Official Rep

Hi there,

If you are a UK national and have been living in the UK for 3 years prior to 1st day of the 1st academic year of your course then you should be eligible to apply for UK funding however if you have 2 years of previous study then this will also be taken into consideration when assessing your entitlement. You’re entitled to funding for the length of your course, plus 1 additional year, minus any years of previous study you have. Here’s the calculation we used: 3+1-2=2 years of Tuition Fee Loan and this would be applied to your 2nd and 3rd year. You would need to self fund the Tuition Fee Loan for your 1st year. You can apply for the Maintenance Loan for the full 3 years.

Thanks, Drew

Reply 4

_shehryar_

Original post

by Drew SLC

Hi there,
If you are a UK national and have been living in the UK for 3 years prior to 1st day of the 1st academic year of your course then you should be eligible to apply for UK funding however if you have 2 years of previous study then this will also be taken into consideration when assessing your entitlement. You’re entitled to funding for the length of your course, plus 1 additional year, minus any years of previous study you have. Here’s the calculation we used: 3+1-2=2 years of Tuition Fee Loan and this would be applied to your 2nd and 3rd year. You would need to self fund the Tuition Fee Loan for your 1st year. You can apply for the Maintenance Loan for the full 3 years.
Thanks, Drew

Hi, thanks for the detailed response.

Just two follow-ups:

If I drop out prior to completing my second year (i.e., in the first term of year 2), I won't have completed 2 years of study. Would the equation change in those circumstances?

Does it not make any difference that for my current course, I have not been a home student, so that my new degree would be the first time I am beginning studies as a home student?

Reply 5

Drew SLC

Official Rep

Hi there,

If you attend any of the 2nd year and payments are made then it would still be classed as a year of funding even if you leave after the 1st term. It doesn't matter if you are a international student and then a UK student it is the same calculation.

Thanks, Drew

Reply 6

_shehryar_

Original post

by Drew SLC

Hi there,
If you attend any of the 2nd year and payments are made then it would still be classed as a year of funding even if you leave after the 1st term. It doesn't matter if you are a international student and then a UK student it is the same calculation.
Thanks, Drew

I understand. Thanks!