UK Student Finance: Here’s Everything You Need to Know!
So, you’re thinking about going to university or college in the UK, but wondering:
💰 Can I get student finance?
🎓 Do I qualify for tuition and maintenance loans?
📜 What if I’m not a UK citizen—can I still apply?
Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Let’s break it down in simple, student-friendly language so you know exactly what you’re eligible for and how to apply.
1. Who Can Get Student Finance?
Before you start dreaming about spending your student loan on takeaways and nights out (just kidding… sort of), let’s check if you actually qualify!
✔️ You need to meet three main conditions:
- You’re a UK citizen or have an eligible residency status (more on this below!)
- Your course is at a recognized university or college
- You’ve lived in the UK for at least 3 years before your course starts
📢 Quick tip: Don’t have time to read all this? Below is the table to save your time!
What About International or Non-UK Students?
Not British? No problem—you might still be eligible depending on your residency status!
You can apply for student finance if you are:
- An EU/EEA/Swiss national with settled or pre-settled status
- A refugee or under humanitarian protection
- A person with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status
- Someone granted special leave (like Calais leave, stateless leave, or the Ukraine/Afghan schemes)
If you want to get more information about your status, You can Click here!
📢 Quick tip: If you’re unsure about your residency status, check your Home Office documents or ask GobblexEdu for help!
2. What Courses Qualify?
Not every course gets government student finance, so double-check yours!
💡 You can apply for student loans if you’re studying:
- A full-time or part-time undergraduate degree
- A foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND)
- A teacher training course (like PGCE)
- Certain pre-university courses (like Access to HE Diplomas)
📌 BUT: Short courses, professional certificates, and some private university courses might not be eligible. You can take help from Gobblex Consultants before applying!
Your detailed Guide on Education levels is Here!
3. What Loans & Grants Can You Get?
Here’s the good news: You can get help paying for BOTH tuition and living costs!
💰 Tuition Fee Loan – Covers your full course fees (up to £9,250/year). Paid directly to your university.
💸 Maintenance Loan – Helps with your rent, food, and other student expenses. Paid to YOU in three installments each year.
🆓 Extra Grants & Free Money – If you have kids, a disability, or a low income, you can get extra financial support that you don’t have to pay back!
All the information regarding the Loans and Grants is Here!
4. How to Apply for Student Finance
Applying for student finance is simple, and with our help, the process becomes even easier. Here’s how it works:
- Step 1: Contact us at GobblexEdu.co.uk, and we’ll guide you through the entire process.
- Step 2: We’ll help you create an account on the Student Finance portal, so you can start your application.
- Step 3: We’ll assist you in filling out all your details, making sure everything is accurate and complete.
- Step 4: If necessary, we’ll help you upload any required documents, such as proof of residency or financial information.
- Step 5: Once everything is ready, we’ll submit your application on your behalf and keep track of the approval process for you.
With GobblexEdu.co.uk, applying for student finance is stress-free. Just get in touch, and we’ll handle everything for you!
📢 Pro tip: Apply as EARLY as possible to avoid delays. You don’t need a confirmed uni place to apply—just update it later!
📢Your Support: If you are hesitating to apply, feel free to contact our Expert Consultants to guide you through the whole process.
5. What Happens Next?
🎉 Once approved, here’s how it works:
- Your Tuition Fee Loan goes straight to your university.
- Your Maintenance Loan lands in your bank account at the start of each term.
- If you applied for extra grants (like Disabled Students’ Allowance), you’ll get details on how and when these will be paid.
🚀 Boom! You’re all set to start university without financial worries!
6. Do You Need to Pay It Back?
Yes—but only after you graduate and start earning.
- You only repay 9% of your salary over a certain threshold.
- If you never earn enough, you never pay it back (after 30-40 years, the debt is written off!).
- It’s more like a small tax, NOT a traditional debt!
So, don’t let the word “loan” scare you—it’s a super low-risk way to fund your education.
Final Thoughts: Apply Now & Secure Your Future!
Getting student finance ISN’T complicated—but waiting too long can delay your payments!
🚀 Ready to get started? Head to the contact us section directly, apply early, and secure your funding for an awesome university experience!
Need help? Drop your questions in the comments, and we’ll guide you through! 🎓💰
| Funding Type | Who’s Eligible (Home Status Criteria) | Amount Available (approx.) | Repayment |
| Tuition Fee Loan | Home students (UK nationals, ILR, settled status, etc., meeting residency requirements). First undergrad degree (or eligible FE course for Advanced Learner Loan). | Up to full tuition fees (e.g. £9,250/year for FT undergrad in England); varies by nation/fee. Paid directly to the institution. | Yes – repay after studying, only if income > threshold; 9% of income over threshold. Government loan with 30-year term (Plan 2/5). |
| Maintenance Loan | Home undergraduate students (full-time, and part-time ≥25% intensity) with eligibility as above. Amount depends on household income, course intensity, age, etc. | Ranges roughly £4,000–£13,000/year. For 2024: up to ~£9,978 (outside London), ~£13,022 (London) for low-income families; lower amounts if higher income or living at home. | Yes – repay with tuition loan (combined for repayment). Same terms (income-based). No repayment during study. |
| Grants for Dependants(Childcare Grant, Parents’ Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants Grant) | Home students with dependent children or adults, full-time undergrads. Must meet income criteria (means-tested). | Varies by grant: e.g. Childcare Grant covers 85% childcare costs (capped ~£188/wk for 1 child), Parents’ Learning Allowance up to ~£2,000/year, Adult Dependant’s up to ~£3,500/year | No – these are non-repayable grants. They are intended to offset extra costs (childcare, family). |
| Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) | Home students with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty. Available to undergrad and postgrad, full-time or part-time (≥25% intensity). No age or income restriction. | Up to £26,000+ in support (2024 England) across different needs – not given as cash. Covers cost of approved support: specialist equipment (e.g. laptop), non-medical helpers, travel, etc. Not a set amount – based on needs assessment (there are maximum caps per category). | No – this is a grant. All DSA-funded support (equipment/services) is paid for you and never needs repayment gov.uk. |
| University Bursaries(income-based) and Scholarships (merit or specific) | Varies by institution. Generally, home fee status students who meet the university’s criteria. Bursaries often for low-income (e.g. household income < £25k). Scholarships for academic excellence, sports, subject-specific, or backgrounds (could include international students in some cases). | Typically £500 to £3,000 per year for many bursaries. Scholarships can range from a few hundred pounds to full fees plus stipend in some cases. Some are one-off awards, others for each year of study. No standard amount – each scheme differsgov.uk | No – bursaries and scholarships do not require repaymentgov.uk. They are essentially gifts/awards. (If you quit the course early, you might lose future installments, but you don’t repay what you’ve received.) |
| Private Loans(Bank loans or specialized study loans) | Students not eligible for sufficient government support or needing extra funds. Must pass credit checks; often require a UK credit history or co-signer. (International or other students sometimes use these if they have no access to SFE.) | Depends on lender and credit. Could range from a few thousand up to full course costs. Interest rates vary (~5–10+% APR). Some offer deferred repayment during study, others require immediate monthly payments. | Yes – must be repaid with interest, according to the bank’s schedule. Usually start repayment immediately or after a short grace period. Not contingent on income – you must pay regardless of earnings. Failure to repay affects credit score. |