SFE Help: Accelerated Course – Maintenance Loan Now, Tuition Loan Later?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on my Student Finance England (SFE) application, as my situation is a bit unique.

I originally started a Games Design degree but had to drop out during my second year in 2024 due to financial reasons. I understand that, funding-wise, I still have two years of student finance left for a standard three-year course (or one year if I go for an accelerated degree).

I've been working to save money and have now decided to return to university this September for an accelerated Games Design course at a different institution. During an open day, I spoke with an advisor who explained that I could self-fund my first year via direct debit and then apply for SFE to cover my second year’s tuition fees.

Now, while filling out my SFE application, I came across a question asking which year I am applying for, and I selected "First Year", as I also want to apply for a maintenance loan. However, I don’t need a tuition loan for this year, only for my second year.

My Questions:

1) Can I apply for a maintenance loan only, without taking a tuition loan this year?

2) If I apply for a tuition loan now but don’t actually need it, can I call SFE to delay it until next year?

3) Has anyone been in a similar situation where they self-funded the first year and successfully got tuition fee funding for the second year?

Would really appreciate any insights or experiences! Thanks in advance. 😊

Reply 1

Drew SLC

Official Rep

Hi there,

You can submit the application as normal and apply for the Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan. Once the application is processed we would let you know that the Tuition Fee Loan would be blocked for your 1st year due to previous study but we will also confirm that you would be eligible for it for the following year. We would also approve your Maintenance Loan.

Thanks, Drew

Reply 2

AshanAlponsu