Student Loans FAQ's

General Application Questions

Q. When and how do I apply for Student Finance?

A. Students should obtain an application form from their Local Authority to begin the process of applying for Student Finance in January/February of the year that they intend to start their course. However, if you are a renewing student, who is applying for assistance for their second or subsequent years, then a renewal form should automatically be sent to your home address in April/May from your local Authority.

Q. Why do you need my original birth certificate with my application form?

A. It is a requirement by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Student Loan Company, that all Local Authorities (LA’s) see every student's original birth certificate with their application form. If you do not send your birth certificate with your application form then the LA cannot process your application until you send it in.

Q. I have not made up my mind which University/College I want to go to, what do I put on my application form?

A. You need to indicate what your first choice will be. This will enable the Local Authority to check and make sure that the course you want to do attracts funding.

Q. I have completed one course and want to start another, what should I do?

A. If the qualification of the next course is of a higher level e.g. HND to degree or degree to PGCE, then you will need to make an application in January/February of the year you are due to start the new course. Please contact the Student Loans section on 01942 486123. Other wise you can download a form from the Student Support (External link) website.

Q. I did not start my course last year and deferred entry until this year. Do I need to apply again?

A. Yes, you must make a new application, as you have to supply your latest details that could affect your assessment. If you previously supplied your birth certificate, we may not need to see it again.

Q. I am taking a year out and I am not starting my course until next year, when do I apply?

A. You must make an application to your Local Authority in January/February of the year that you intend to start your course.

Q. Am I too late to apply for a loan?

A. This depends on the start date of your academic year. You have four months from the beginning of your course to submit an application to Wigan Council and following receipt of a response, up to 4 weeks before the end of the academic year to submit a loan application to the Student Loan Company (SLC).

Q. What happens when I return the completed application form?

A. Once you have sent in the form to your Local Authority, you will receive a letter of acknowledgement and a personal ART ID number to enable you to access your account. Your form will then be assessed within 6 weeks if received within the stated guidelines.

Higher Education Questions

Q. Where can I get information or booklets on student loans or the Disabled Student Allowance?

A. Booklets are obtainable from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) on their freephone number 0800 731 9133. Information can also be available on the Student Support (External link) website.

Q. Is everybody entitled to a loan?

A. Most students are entitled to apply and receive a student loan providing you are studying on a higher educational course and meet defined residency requirements.

Q. Can I be classed as an independent student?

A. An independent student is someone who meets the following requirements,

• You are over 25 years prior to the start of your academic year,
• You must have been self supporting either in employment, unemployment, outside education for three years or more prior to the start of your course,
• You have been married before the start of the academic year for which you are applying for support. You will need to provide your marriage certificate.

If you meet these requirements then your application can be assessed on your income alone.

Q. I am going abroad travelling, can my parent(s) sign my form on my behalf?

A. All forms must be signed by the student because there is a legal declaration that the information that you are providing is correct. However, if your parent(s) can obtain power of attorney from their solicitor at a cost of approximately £10-£15, then this means that they have power to complete the forms on your behalf.

Q. Which of my parent(s) fills in the form if they are divorced or separated?

A. The parent that you normally reside with needs to complete the parental section of any form that the Local Authority sends out.

Q. Does it make any difference if I have a brother or sister at University?

A. Yes, when calculating the assessment for the parental contribution a second award holder can almost half the parental contribution.

Q. My parent/spouse circumstances have changed, Can my loan amount be reassessed?

A. Yes, the Local Authority can reassess the amount of loan available at any stage during the academic year. This can happen if your parents circumstances change (i.e. divorce, retirement or redundancy). However, your parent(s) income should decrease by at least 15%, compared with the income that has already been submitted. Please contact the Student Loans Team, to ask for a current income form if this applies to you.

Q. When I finish my degree, can I get financial help with post graduate study?

A. Only the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and the Part time Certificate in Education can be assisted by the Local Authority. Students who have applied and can provide an assessment letter from their Local Authority can have their tuition fee payment waived. You can get further information from your University/College or contact the Teacher Training Agency (External link) (TTA) on 01245 454454. Alternatively you can visit their website.

Q. Will I get help if I want to do a second degree course?

A. You can receive help from your Local Authority (LA) to complete a second Higher Education course. However, you would not be able to receive assistance towards tuition fees, because this would be classed as receiving public funds for a second qualification at the same level. You can apply for a loan to help you with living costs.

General Maintenance Loan Questions.

Q. Does the amount of maintenance loan differ if I was to study inside or outside London?

A. Yes, there are different rates of maximum loans available to students depending on the circumstances. A student living away from home and attends University/College in London is entitled to a higher loan then that of a student living away from home but attends a University/College outside London. However if you attend a University/College inside London and decide to live at home, then the amount of loan will be lower.

Q. I have to study for extra weeks, can I get an extra loan to cover this?

A. Yes, there are different amounts depending on where in the country you are studying. Like the main loan they are subject to means testing.

Q. How much of the loan is means tested and non-means tested?

A. 75% of the overall loan is non-means tested. 25% of the loan is affected by parents'/spouses'/cohabitee or student income.

Q. Can I get extra help as I am going abroad as part of my course?

A. Yes, so long as the study abroad is a necessary and integral part of your course. You can apply for assistance (subject to means test) for fares and medical insurance.

Q. How and when do I get my loan paid?

A. Once a student has gone through the application and assessment stage with their Local Authority, they should receive a letter to confirm their entitlement Once this has been completed and sent off to the SLC, the loan will be paid in three instalments during each term of that academic year. The payments are paid into your bank account. The Student Finance Direct are responsible for this.

Q. Does the loan affect any DSS benefits that I receive?

A. Depending on the benefits you receive, the student loan may be taken into account. You will need to contact the benefits agency direct for expert advice. Alternatively this information may be available form the benefits website (External link)

Q. Does the loan attract interest charges?

A. The loan does attract interest charges. Further details are available from the Student Loan Company (External link) website

Q. When does the loan become due for repayment?

A. The student loan is repayable, once you have completed your studies and are earning over a certain level of income. Further details are available from the Student Loan Company (External link) website.

General Fee Loan Questions.

Q. Is the fee loan income assessed?

A. The fee loan is not income assessed. Every new and current student will be entitled to a fee loan.

Q. Do I have to pay for my fees before I start university?

A. No eligible student will have to pay any fees before starting their course, or while they are studying.

Q. How much can I earn up to before I have to start paying back my fee loan?

A. Students will start repaying their tuition fee loan after they have left higher education and are earning more than £15,000 a year.

Part Time Student Finance

Q. What help is available?

A. For most eligible students, the following types of help are available:

• A fee grant of up to £1,125.
• A course grant of up to £250.

To be eligible for a fee grant and a course grant, your course must be no less than 50% of an equivalent full-time course (that is it must not last longer than twice as long as the full-time course). You will not be eligible for a fee grant or a course

grant if you already have a degree. How much help you get will depend on your income. You can apply for both the course grant and the fee grant using one form. There is no age limit for either grant.

For more details about part time study see the DfES publication Financial Support for Part Time Students which can be viewed on the DfES website.

Please contact the Student Loans section on 01942 486123. Other wise you can download a form from the student support (External link) website.