The Student Loans Company (SLC) is urging new full-time undergraduate students in England who plan to start university or college this autumn to apply for student finance before the deadline.
Students should submit their applications by Friday 15 May to help ensure their tuition fee and maintenance loan funding is in place for the start of the academic year, subject to eligibility being confirmed.
In the 24/25 academic year, SLC paid a total of £24bn in student finance, including maintenance loans and grants to 1.5m students, as well as tuition fees payments to education providers. Applications can take up to four weeks to process and given the scale of processing, it’s vital that students submit their application to guarantee its approved ahead of 26/27.
Steven Darling, SLC’s Director of Customer Strategy, said
“Applying before the deadline is the simplest way for students to make sure their funding is ready when their course begins. You don’t need to have everything finalised — we’d always encourage students to get their application in now and confirm course details later. This will help avoid unnecessary stress closer to the start of term.”
“Students don’t need a confirmed place on a course as all of those details, including university, course and living arrangements, can all be updated in the student’s online account later in the year once it has been finalised. I would encourage any student to not delay and apply today.”
Students in England will apply for a Plan 5 student loan and can include Tuition Fee Loans, of up to £9,790 to cover their fees, as well as Maintenance Loans, to help with living costs – more information can be found here. During the application process, students will also be provided with information on their repayment terms and conditions, and more information about the current Plan 5 repayment obligations can be found here.
Important information to know before applying
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.
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. Students are reminded to double check the details they enter are accurate.
Track the progress of the application
- Applications can take four 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.
- SLC also has Live Chat with SLC advisors able to answer questions or address any concerns.
- Students can find information on how to use their online account to answer their questions at https//www.gov.uk/guidance/student-finance-england-how-to-guide
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
When do student’s start to repay their student finance?
- When a customer applies for student finance they sign up to the Repayment terms and conditions. Information is available during the application process, and more guidance can be found in their online account and also Repaying your student loan Which repayment plan you’re on – GOV.UK
- Students usually go into Repayment the April after they finish their course, but no payments are taken until they earn over the pay period threshold.
Students can apply for student finance up to nine months after the start of the academic year. Returning students are also reminded to apply before their application deadline on 21 June 2026.