SFE’s application service launches for 25/26 academic year

Full-time undergraduate students in England are being encouraged to apply now for student finance, as the application service launches for the 25/26 academic year.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) paid over 1.5 million students almost £22bn in maintenance loans, grants and tuition fees in the 23/24 academic year. And as students start to prepare for the upcoming academic year, the message from SLC is to submit applications as early as possible, so that their funding will be ready for the start of their course.

SLC is reminding students that application process can take around six to eight weeks to complete, and the status of the application can be tracked in their online account. Students don’t need to have a confirmed place on a course at university or college to make their application, as their course details can be updated at a later date in their online account.

Jackie Currie, SLC Executive Director of Customer Operations, said “If you are planning or thinking about going to university or college in the 25/26 academic year, my message is to apply for your student finance as early as possible.

Importantly, you can track your application in your online account without having to contact us. It can take six to eight weeks to process an application, but the progress is continually updated in your online account as we know you will be keen to know at what stage it’s at.

“Also, to help with the application process, we have created a range of tools and information including, instructional videos, a student finance calculator and articles on commonly asked questions and topics to help students understand the process and funding available. Please check out all these resources to help you with the application process.”

Students in England can apply for Tuition Fee Loans up to £9,535 to cover their fees and Maintenance Loans to help with living costs.

Important information for prospective students:

There are a number of resources available for students to find out more on how to apply and about the financial support that might be available.

• Full information, including guides on how to apply, what funding is available and videos to help students through the application process are available at: https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/
• Students can also access more information and guidance on Gov.UK, The Student Room and by following Student Finance England at facebook.com/SFEngland, twitter.com/SF_England or youtube/SFEFILM

Have important documents to hand:

• Students who are applying for student finance based on their household income should have their parent’s email address to hand before starting the application. This is because their parents will be sent an email to provide income details to support the application.
• Students should have their National Insurance Number and passport details to hand before starting the application.
• Students will also be asked for bank details when applying, including the 8-digit account number and 6-digit sort code.  If the bank details change after applying, it’s quick and easy to log into their online account and update them.

Track the progress of the application:

• Applications can take six to eight weeks to process, and students and can track the status of their application via their online accounts and will be notified if there are any outstanding actions they need to take.  Students can also make changes to their personal information in their online accounts. Students can find information on how to track the progress of their application and estimated review dates at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/checking-a-payment-or-application-status

Get answers to common questions:

• Students can use their online account to get their questions answered without needing to pick up the phone.
• The account feature ‘Common questions’ is in the menu section of their online account, with a library of over 50 articles to answer questions students, parents and partners ask SFE.
• Students can find information on how to use their online account to answer their questions at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/students-from-england-can-find-answers-to-their-questions–2ph

If a student studied before

• If a student has studied before it could affect their eligibility – even if the previous course was self-funded. Students should submit their application early so entitlement can be confirmed.
• If returning to study after a break, students should use the online account they originally had, rather than create a new one. The online search function can be used to locate it.

If estranged from parents:

• If a student has no contact with their parents for over a year, they may be able to apply as an estranged student. Applications from estranged students are dealt with by a dedicated team of specially trained, customer advisors to ensure that the process is sensitive to their circumstances. The evidence requirements are different too. Read this guide to find out more.

Depending on circumstances students might be entitled to further support:

• There may be circumstances where a student is able to access some extra money, for example if they have additional needs, have children, or are studying for a medical, social work or teaching course. More information about what is available can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/extra-help

Student finance applications for part time undergraduate and postgraduate student finance will be available later in the spring.