Student Finance for the 2023/24 Academic Year

Everything you need to know about student finance for the 2023/24 Academic Year!

Who is eligible for student finance?

Most students in the UK receive student loans provided by the government to help pay their tuition fees and assist with their living costs at university.

There are two different types of student loan, a tuition fee loan which covers your tuition fees and a maintenance loan which helps with the cost of living whilst at university.

If you’re a UK citizen and have lived here for at least three years, you may be eligible for financial support from the government.

Although, there are a few things which affect whether you can receive student finance:

• Your nationality or residency status
• You must be studying a higher education course for the first time
• The course and university you are studying at
• Your age

Once you complete the application form, the student finance company for the country you live in will let you know if you’re eligible.

Applying for student finance

From early 2023, to apply online you can go to the gov.uk website and register. The website offers an easy step-by-step guide to completing the application form for student finance.

For those going to university for the first time, applications for full-time undergraduate courses are expected to open in March 2023. Whilst applications for part-time undergraduate courses and postgraduate courses are set to open later in 2023. 

So, keep your eyes peeled on the Student Finance social media channels and check your emails. Depending on which country you live in, you will have to apply differently.

Student Finance England - For first-time undergraduate students from England, you can register and apply online for student finance through the Student Finance England website. On the Student Finance England website you are able to track your application, check your student finance payment dates as well as make any necessary changes to your details or information.

Student Finance Wales - If you live in Wales and are applying for the first time for undergraduate funding, you will need to apply for student finance on the Student Finance Wales website. You will be able to track your application, check your student finance payment dates as well as make any changes to your details or information.

Student Finance Scotland - If you are a new full-time undergraduate student from Scotland, applying for student finance is done directly through the Student Awards Agency Scotland. You will be able to track your application, check your student finance payment dates and make changes to your details or information online once applications open.

Student Finance Northern Ireland - First-time undergraduate students from Northern Ireland will be able to apply for student finance funding from early 2023. You will need to apply for student finance through Student Finance NI. You will then be able to track your application, check your student finance payment dates and make changes to your details or information online when applications open.   

International Students - You may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan and support with living costs from the UK government if you’re from an EU country, or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Check the gov.uk website for more information on student finance for international students.

Continuing Students:

If you’re a continuing student who’s moving on to the next year of your course, repeating a year of your course, returning to a course or even transferring onto a new course, you will need to re-apply for student finance every year.

Student Finance will contact you directly to let you know when you can re-apply as a continuing full time student or part time student. So, make sure to check your emails to find out when applications are open. Or, check the Student Finance website or social media channels for the country you’re from!

Tips for applying

Now you know when the applications are opening for student finance 2023, we have a few tips listed in our next section to help you out with the process.

1 - It’s important to apply for student finance at the earliest opportunity when the applications open for the academic year 2023/2024 to ensure that your funding is in place for the start of your course date.

You don’t want to leave it too late as this could delay when you receive your maintenance loan.

Plus, it’s just better to get it over and done with – it mean’s less stress for you!

2 - You don’t need a confirmed place at university to apply for student finance funding. When applying for student finance, you should use your first choice university. If this changes at a later date or you don’t meet the requirements for a conditional place, it can be changed online.

3 - It’s important to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready.

You will need to include your parents income for the means tested maintenance loan if you’re financially dependent.

Your parent(s) will then be asked to confirm these details for your maintenance loan entitlement.

So, it’s best to plan a time with your parents or guardians to go through the application together.

You will also have to send in proof of identity through a form of identification such as your passport.

Some of the things you’ll need are listed below:

• E-mail Address
• Bank Account
• University & Course Details
• In-date Passport
• Household Income
• Other Benefits

4 - If you’re an independent student who hasn’t relied on their family financially for at least 3 years, you won’t need to send your parent’s financial information for your application. For those who have married or are in a civil partnership before the start of their course, you won’t need to do this either.

5 - Before you’ve started your application for student finance 2023, we’d recommend setting up a student bank account.

Any maintenance loan, grants, bursaries or scholarships you will receive will be paid directly into the bank account you’ve listed on your student loan application form. So, it’s a good idea to set up your student bank account beforehand.

6 - When applying for student finance, it’s important to double check that the information and full details you’ve inputted are correct.To avoid changing your application due to mistakes, we’d suggest having a family member or close friend check over it.

Should you need to, you are able to make necessary changes to your application at a later date. However, it may delay when you receive payments at the beginning of the academic year. Don’t worry if your plans change before going to university, you can amend or cancel your funding application. You can do this through your relevant student finance website.