Student Finance England
Full-time undergraduate students from England whose course starts between 31 August and 31 December 2026 can now apply for student finance.
SLC is encouraging students to apply before the deadline of Friday 15 May 2026 to ensure their funding is in place for the start of their course. Students can apply even if they don’t yet have a confirmed university place, they can select the course they are most likely to study and update their application later if their plans change.
Applications can take up to six to eight weeks to process. Students do not need to contact SLC to check their application status, they can track progress through their online account and will be notified if any further information is needed.
Tips for applying
- Apply now even without a confirmed university place, you can update your course details at any time.
- Have your National Insurance number, passport and bank details to hand before you start.
- Submit any supporting evidence requested through your online account.
Helpful resources are available on the SFE campaign page, including a student guide covering everything you need to know about Student Finance England, advice on preparing your application, and self-service support for common questions.
Courses starting on or after 1 January 2027
Students from England whose course starts from January 2027 onwards will apply for funding through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).
Applications for the LLE are expected to be available from September 2026. Find out more about the LLE on GOV.UK.
Tuition Fee only students
Full-time undergraduate students applying for a Tuition Fee loan only can also apply now for 2026 to 2027. More information is available on GOV.UK.
Student Finance Wales
Full-time undergraduate applications for 2026 to 2027 are now open for students from Wales. SLC is encouraging students to apply before the deadline of Friday 29 May 2026 to ensure their funding is ready for the start of their course.
Students in Wales can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover fees and a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs. A Welsh Government Learning Grant, which does not need to be repaid, may also be available.
Visit the Discover Student Finance page for guidance on how to apply, what to expect throughout your student finance journey, and details of the funding available.
Student Finance Northern Ireland
Full-time undergraduate applications for 2026 to 2027 are now open for students from Northern Ireland. SLC is encouraging students to apply before the deadline of Thursday 30 April 2026 to ensure their funding is in place for the start of their course.
A range of financial support is available to students from Northern Ireland. Visit the Student Finance NI guidance page to find out what you may be eligible for.
Stay up to date
Students can follow SLC on social media for the latest news and updates on student finance.
