Government student loans

To be eligible for funding from Student Finance England you need to:

• Be a British Citizen or have ‘settled status’ in the UK (under the terms of the Immigration Act 1971). ‘Settled status’ means that there are no immigration restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK.
• Be ‘ordinarily resident’ in England. Ordinary residence is where you normally live. Sometimes living abroad on a temporary basis will not prevent you from receiving student funding. If you move from England with your family overseas due to an armed forces posting you are considered ‘ordinarily resident’ in England.
• Have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, for the three years immediately before starting the course (not wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education) or have exercised a right of residence in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland before returning to the UK to study.
• Other students may also be eligible for student finance e.g. EEA/Swiss migrant workers and refugees.     
• EU nationals who have been resident in the EEA will normally be eligible for the tuition fee loan only.
• You must be studying for a Higher Education qualification. Our Foundation Studies students are eligible for student finance.

The UAL (University Arts London) Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design Foundation Studies does not count as degree level and does not qualify for the funding set out here.

Any previous study at degree level can affect your eligibility for student finance.

The majority of prospective students choose to apply online. However, you can also choose to post the completed forms.

There is lots of information regarding the application process online.

The majority of students will be assessed on the basis of the gross income of the household that they live in.

• Students who live with both of their parents or guardians will be assessed on the joint income of both parents/guardians.
• Students who live in a single parent household will be assessed on the income of the parent/guardian they live with.
• A student who lives with one of their parents/guardians and the parent/guardian has a new partner or spouse then the joint income of the parent/guardian and partner or spouse will be taken as household income.

Independent status enables a student to be assessed independently of their parents’ household income. Students will be accepted as independent and will be assessed on their own income and the income of any partner in any of the following circumstances:

• Over 25 years of age
• Married
• Responsible for a child
• Self-supporting for 3 years from earnings or benefits (a minimum income of £7,500 a year is normally required)
• Estranged from parents
• Parents are deceased.

Please note: household income assessments are based on your circumstances in the most recent full financial year. Further information is available on the government website.

In addition, for the 2023/24 academic year and specific to Student Finance England funding only:

• Students will qualify for the maximum living costs loan where their household income is £25,000 or less.
• Household Income refers to gross taxable household income
• Separate tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 is available regardless of income.

You can apply for the tuition fee and maintenance loan in the February before you start. We recommend you apply then even if you have not yet decided which university will be your firm and insurance choice. This detail can be altered later in your online account should you change your mind.

Applications are typically processed within 6 weeks of receiving them.

This is usually a few days after the start of term.

After you have arrived on campus and collected your ID card, the University will confirm your registration with Student Finance. The first instalment of your maintenance loan will then be paid directly into your nominated account at the start of term, or three working days after your registration is complete (if this is after the start of term). Until you collected your ID Card your student loan account will say “Awaiting Confirmation by University”

Tuition loans are paid directly to the university.

The student loan is paid directly to the university in three instalments. You will receive statements from the University’s Finance Team throughout the year which will show you when the payments have been received.

If your parents income drops by 15% or more, you can ask for a current year assessment. This can be a complex situation and we would recommend you contact the Student Advice and Support Service if this happens to you while studying at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ (or just before you arrive), for more advice.

How much you repay depends on which plan you’re on. If you have more than one loan, they could be on different plans.

You do not pay anything back if your income is under the threshold.

For more details about repayments, please visit the Government website.