The Student Room Group

British resident in EU maintenance loan eligibility

Hi

My understanding is that British citizens resident in the EU prior to 2020 are eligible for tuition and maintenance loans.

However, I'm also hearing that this does not apply to British living in Ireland (ROI).

I understand that Irish nationals can apply for Tuition Fee only, but we had thought as British citizens that we could apply for the maintenance loan too on the grounds of British in EU.

Grateful for any clarification, thank you!
Original post by Hogbec22
Hi
My understanding is that British citizens resident in the EU prior to 2020 are eligible for tuition and maintenance loans.
However, I'm also hearing that this does not apply to British living in Ireland (ROI).
I understand that Irish nationals can apply for Tuition Fee only, but we had thought as British citizens that we could apply for the maintenance loan too on the grounds of British in EU.
Grateful for any clarification, thank you!

Hi there, when does your course begin and when did you move back to the UK? Thanks, Jason
Reply 2
Original post by SFE Jason
Hi there, when does your course begin and when did you move back to the UK? Thanks, Jason

Hi
Thanks for answering.

We haven't moved back to the UK (though have an address there). I was working on the principle of UK citizens living in EU prior to 2020, not on residency and hoping for the best!

Course would begin September 2025.
Original post by Hogbec22
Hi
Thanks for answering.
We haven't moved back to the UK (though have an address there). I was working on the principle of UK citizens living in EU prior to 2020, not on residency and hoping for the best!
Course would begin September 2025.

Thank you. Is it in Ireland that you are currently living and when do you expect to return to the UK? Thanks, Jason
Reply 4
Yes, we live in Ireland. We don't have a return date for the whole family to move back to UK.
Reply 5
https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/finance/are-you-eligible-for-student-finance

This seems to indicate that we might be eligible since began living there before 2020?
Thank you and finally when was it you took up residence in Ireland? Thanks, Jason
Original post by Hogbec22
https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/finance/are-you-eligible-for-student-finance
This seems to indicate that we might be eligible since began living there before 2020?

Yes, a UK National does not need to meet the 3 year residency criteria as long as they have been living in the EEA for the last 3 years and they are ordinarily resident in the UK on the first day of the first term of their course.
Please note where a UK National has been exercising their right to reside they must have been ordinarily resident in the UK at some point since birth. Thanks, Jason
Reply 8
Original post by SFE Jason
Yes, a UK National does not need to meet the 3 year residency criteria as long as they have been living in the EEA for the last 3 years and they are ordinarily resident in the UK on the first day of the first term of their course.
Please note where a UK National has been exercising their right to reside they must have been ordinarily resident in the UK at some point since birth. Thanks, Jason

Thanks Jason. Is there somewhere we can see what the criteria are for being ordinarily resident since birth?
He has a NI number, NHS number, bank account etc. from periods where he has been resident, though wasn't born there (parents were).
Original post by Hogbec22
Thanks Jason. Is there somewhere we can see what the criteria are for being ordinarily resident since birth?
He has a NI number, NHS number, bank account etc. from periods where he has been resident, though wasn't born there (parents were).

Thanks. Has he ever lived in the UK before? Thanks, Jason
Reply 10
Original post by SFE Jason
Thanks. Has he ever lived in the UK before? Thanks, Jason

Yes, for short periods.
Reply 11
Original post by SFE Jason
Thanks. Has he ever lived in the UK before? Thanks, Jason

He has NHS records as was vaccinated there as a baby when was living for a period in England
Hi there. Where a UK National has indicated they were born outside the UK and has stated in the residency section that during the three year period prior to the first academic year of their course they have been residing in the EU/EEA, we require a breakdown of their residency details from birth. We need evidence to establish whether they have been ordinarily resident in the UK at some point since birth.

If they have then they would meet eligibility. Thanks, Leah,
Reply 13
Original post by Leah SLC
Hi there. Where a UK National has indicated they were born outside the UK and has stated in the residency section that during the three year period prior to the first academic year of their course they have been residing in the EU/EEA, we require a breakdown of their residency details from birth. We need evidence to establish whether they have been ordinarily resident in the UK at some point since birth.
If they have then they would meet eligibility. Thanks, Leah,

Thanks Leah.
I didn't realise that the UK citizens in the EU had to meet similar criteria to Uk in non-EU countries.

We have an unusual situation as the student was born in a country for which he does not (and would not be able to) hold citizenship (we were there on a work posting) - he is only a citizen of UK and Ireland and country of birth has no relevance. It's all very messy!

Hopefully when the forms come for us to fill in, it will be clear!

Thanks again
No problem. If you have any further questions let us know 🙂 Thanks, Leah.

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