Financial help for higher education (HE)
Are you taking a higher education course at university or college? We can give you advice on whether you are eligible for help with your course fees and living costs while at university or college.
This help is normally in the form of a student loan provided through Student Finance Direct, which is arranged by your local authority and the Student Loans Company.
Students starting courses from 2008
The Government has made some changes to support arrangements for students starting higher education in 2008. These changes will apply to students who are living in England (or eligible EU students) starting a new full-time higher education course anywhere in the UK from September 2008.
Students who started courses in 2006 or 2007
From September 2006 universities in England have been allowed to vary the fees they charge students. In the 2007–08 academic year, universities can charge between zero and £3,145 per year.
Variable fees will only affect students who started their course in September 2006 or 2007. A loan for tuition fees is available, and you may also be eligible for a maintenance grant and student loan for maintenance.
Students who started courses before 2006
Existing students who started a course before autumn 2006 will not be asked to pay variable fees. Instead, your fees will be capped at up to around £1,250.
You may be eligible for a higher education grant and student loan to help with living costs.
What am I entitled to?
The amount of loans and grants you will get will depend on your household income.
If you have any doubts about whether you will get help you should still complete and return an application form. You should include a covering letter explaining your financial situation. We can then look at your case in detail.
To get an idea of the financial help you might be entitled to please see the Student Finance Direct Calculator.
What if I have already studied a higher education course?
If you have already studied a higher education course, this can affect the help you are entitled to. The rules are complicated and we can only reach a decision after you have completed and returned your application to us.
Do I have to be a UK resident?
You must:
or
- have ‘settled status’ in the UK at the start of the academic year in which your course begins, and
- have lived in the UK for the whole of the three years before the start of your course. You must not be living in the UK wholly or mainly for the purposes of education (for example if you are living outside the UK but attending boarding school here).
For courses that start in the autumn term, the start of the academic year is taken as 1 September.
