Student finance if you started before 1 September 2012

The student finance you can apply for depends on:

  • your course and when it started
  • your income
  • if you’re from the UK or the EU

There are different rules for courses that started on or after 1 September 2012.

What you can apply for

Type of student Finance available
UK full-time student Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Loan, Maintenance Grant
UK part-time student Tuition Fee Grant, Course Grant
EU full-time student Tuition Fee Loan
EU part-time student Tuition Fee Grant

You must be continuing a course in the academic years 2015 to 2016 or 2016 to 2017.

How and when to apply

You can apply online if you’re a UK student.

EU students can download the application forms using the form finder.

You can apply up to 9 months after the first day of the month the academic year starts in.

The academic year starts on one of the following:

  • 1 September
  • 1 January
  • 1 April
  • 1 July

If you’re not sure when your academic year starts, ask your college or university.

Tuition Fee Loans

You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan if you’re a full-time UK or EU student. The loan is paid directly to your university or college and you have to pay it back.

Part-time students can’t apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

Full-time student Tuition Fee Loan per year
Full-time Up to £3,465
Full-time at a private university or college Up to £3,465
Full-time at a university or college in Northern Ireland Up to £3,925

Tuition Fee Grant

You can apply if you’re a part-time UK or EU student.

If you’re eligible, the money is paid directly to your university or college.

The grant depends on:

  • your household income (your partner’s plus yours)
  • your ‘course intensity’ - this is how much of your course you complete each year compared to an equivalent full-time course

You must study at a rate of at least 50% equivalent to a full-time course - check with your university or college.

Household income 50% to 59% intensity 60% to 74% intensity 75% intensity or more
Up to £16,845 £855 £1,025 £1,285
£16,846 to £25,420 £50 to £805 £50 to £975 £50 to £1,235
Over £25,420 No grant No grant No grant

Maintenance Loan for living costs

You must be a full-time UK student.

You have to repay the loan. The loan depends on your household income (your parents’ or partner’s income plus yours) and where you live. It will be paid into your bank account at the start of term.

You can’t apply if you’re a part-time or EU student

Full-time student Loan for 2015 to 2016 Loan for 2016 to 2017
Living at home Up to £4,005 Up to £4,102
Living away from home, outside London Up to £5,167 Up to £5,292
Living away from home, in London Up to £7,230 Up to £7,404

Maintenance Grant for living costs

You must be a full-time UK student.

You don’t have to repay the grant - the grant depends on your household income (your parents’ or partner’s income plus yours) and when you start your course.

The grant is paid into your bank account at the start of term.

You can’t apply if you’re a part-time or EU student.

Full-time student – household income Grant for 2015 to 2016 Grant for 2016 to 2017
£25,000 or less £3,110 £3,110
£25,001 to £50,706 £50 to £3,109 £50 to £3,109
Over £50,706 No grant No grant

Course Grant for living costs

You can apply if you’re a part-time UK or EU student.

The grant depends on your household income (your partner’s plus yours).

The grant is paid directly into your account at the start of term.

Full-time students can’t apply.

Part-time student household income Grant for 2015 to 2016 Grant for 2016 to 2017
Up to £26,029 £280 £280
£26,030 to £28,065 £50 to £279 £50 to £279
Over £28,065 No grant No grant

Extra help

You might also be able to get

Repaying your student loan

You have to start repaying tuition and maintenance loans when you earn over £17,495 a year. This amount changes every year.

Each month you’ll pay 9% of what you earn over that amount.

Last updated: 11 July 2016