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 get

UK full-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Loan and Maintenance Grant.

UK part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Grant and Course Grant.

EU full-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan.

EU part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Grant.

How 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 start of your course.

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 £3,805

Tuition Fee Grant

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 to your university or college.

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

Full-time students can’t apply.

Part-time student household income Grant for 2014 to 2015 Grant for 2015 to 2016
Up to £16,845 £855 to £1,285 £855 to £1,285
£16,846 to £25,420 £805 to £1,235 £805 to £1,235
Over £25,420 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 2014 to 2015 Loan for 2015 to 2016
Living at home Up to £3,876 Up to £4,005
Living away from home, outside London Up to £5,000 Up to £5,167
Living away from home, in London Up to £6,997 Up to £7,230

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 2014 to 2015 Grant for 2015 to 2016
£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 2014 to 2015 Grant for 2015 to 2016
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 get:

Repaying your student loan

You have to start repaying any tuition and maintenance loans when you earn over £16,910 a year. This amount changes every year. Each month you’ll pay 9% of your income over that amount.

Last updated: 17 December 2014