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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
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 either of the following academic years:

  • 2017 to 2018
  • 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 £4,030

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 £16,844 £879 £1,054 £1,321
£16,845 to £25,423 £50 to £829 £50 to £1,004 £50 to £1,271
Over £25,423 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 Maintenance Loan for the 2016 to 2017 academic year Maintenance Loan for the 2017 to 2018 academic year
Living at home Up to £4,102 Up to £4,217
Living away from home, outside London Up to £5,292 Up to £5,440
Living away from home, in London Up to £7,404 Up to £7,611
Studying abroad for a year, as part of a UK course Up to £6,299 Up to £6,475

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 Maintenance Grant for the 2016 to 2017 academic year Maintenance Grant for the 2017 to 2018 academic year
£25,000 or less £3,110 £3,197
£25,001 to £50,706 £50 to £3,109 £50 to £3,196
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 Course Grant for the 2016 to 2017 academic year Course Grant for the 2017 to 2018 academic year
Up to £26,029 £280 £288
£26,030 to £28,065 £50 to £279 £50 to £287
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 £17,775 a year. This amount changes every year.

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