Student finance: how to apply

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Proof of identity

When you apply online, you’ll be asked to give valid passport details.

If you’re from the UK and you cannot apply online

Fill in the UK passport details form.

Do not send your physical passport.

Academic year Form
2025 to 2026 UK passport details form 2025 to 2026
2024 to 2025 UK passport details form 2024 to 2025

If you do not have a UK passport or it has expired

How you prove your identity depends on your nationality.

If you’re a UK national

You can either:

  • upload a copy of your birth or adoption certificate to your student finance account
  • send a copy of your birth or adoption certificate to Student Finance England by post

You do not need to send your original birth or adoption certificate.

If you’re an Irish national 

Send your physical Irish passport by post.

If you’re not a UK or Irish national

Provide details from one of the following when you apply:

  • passport
  • national identity card
  • biometric residence card 
  • expired biometric residence permit

Where to send forms or documents

Student Finance England
PO Box 210
Darlington
DL1 9HJ

If you send original documents, include your 11-digit customer reference number (CRN) and return address. You’ll get your documents back within 4 weeks.

You do not need to include a prepaid or self-addressed envelope.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Get undergraduate student finance: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you're eligible for student finance

    1. If you’re from England or outside the UK, check if you're eligible

    There’s a different process if:

  2. Step 2 Find out how much loan you could get

    You may be able to apply for:

    • a Tuition Fee Loan to help pay your course tuition fees
    • a Maintenance Loan to help with your living costs

    Find out how much you could get if you're a:

    How much Maintenance Loan you get depends on where you'll study and your household income.

    1. Use the student finance calculator to estimate your Maintenance Loan

    You'll have to pay back any loan you get.

    1. Find out how much you'll repay
    2. Find out when you'll start repaying

  3. and Check if you can get extra help

    You might be able to get extra money if you:

    You might also be able to get other financial help, for example from your university or the government.

    1. Find out about extra help

  4. Step 3 Prepare your application

    1. Check when you can apply
    2. You are currently viewing: Check what ID you'll need
    3. Check if you need to give proof of your household income

  5. Step 4 Apply or reapply

    You can apply online or by post depending on the type of student finance you’re eligible for.

    If you apply in the wrong way, it could delay your application.

    1. Find out how to apply

    It takes 4 weeks to process your application. You might have to provide extra evidence.

  6. Step 5 Update your details if your circumstances change

    You must update your application if your circumstances change. For example if you:

    • change your course through clearing
    • change where you're going to live - for example with your parents instead of halls
    1. Find out how to update your application

  7. Step 6 Make sure you can be paid

    After you register at your university or college you'll usually get your Maintenance Loan paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term.

    Use your student finance account to:

    • update your bank details - for example if you open a student account
    • check how much you'll be paid
    • check when you'll be paid
    1. Sign in to your student finance account

    Tuition Fee Loans are paid directly to your university or college.

  8. Step 7 Check what to do while you're studying

    You'll need to reapply for student finance for each year of your course.

    You must keep your details up to date throughout your course because some changes can affect your loan payments, for example if your household income or bank details change.

    1. Check how to update your details
    2. Find out what to do if you suspend or leave your course

  9. Step 8 Check what to do when you stop studying

    When you stop studying the Student Loans Company (SLC) will create a student loans repayment account for you.

    The log in details will be the same as for your student finance account. You should check your contact details are correct.

    1. Sign in to your student loan repayment account

    You must update your employment details if:

    • you leave the UK for more than 3 months
    • SLC asks you to update them
    1. Update your employment details

  10. Step 9 Repay your loan

    The repayment plan you're on will determine when you start repaying and how much you repay.

    1. Check which repayment plan you’re on
    2. Find out how much you'll repay
    3. Find out when you'll start repaying
    4. Find out how to repay