Student Support is, broadly speaking, composed of: a loan for tuition fees; a loan for living costs; and certain supplementary grants for specific categories, for example disabled students.
The regulations describing the categories of student who are entitled to Student Support changed significantly in 2021. Those regulations are made by England’s Department for Education (not UKCISA).
If you fall into one of the categories of student who are entitled to pay fees at the ‘home’ rate, then you will almost certainly be entitled to some level of Student Support. See England: fee status for information about the categories of student who are entitled to pay fees at the ‘home’ rate.
You should apply to Student Finance England. You will find guidance documents, and details of how to apply, on its website. The deadline for your application depends on when your course starts but you must apply within nine months (six months for part-time courses) of the start of the academic year.
England’s Department for Education produces the England Student Support regulations, and accompanying guidance, for students and assessors. You can read its policy guidance for practitioners, which can be useful if you are refused Student Support and you do not agree with that decision.
If you do not meet all of the requirements of a category at the start of your course, you may still become entitled to support later on if you experience a relevant change of circumstances. If you are unsure about whether you are entitled to Student Support or if you need further information speak to an adviser at your institution or Students' Union or on our students' advice line.
UKCISA aims to expand this information about Student Support entitlement in England this year, to explain how a few categories of student are entitled only to a tuition fee loan, rather than full Student Support. We will also explain the small differences that could mean you are entitled to ‘home’ fees but not to any Student Support (these affect very few people).
