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When to apply

Full-time students

If you’re a new or continuing full-time student you should apply online now for 2012/13 student finance.

Part-time students

New part-time students can apply now for a Tuition Fee Loan using a paper form.

Continuing part-time students who started a course before 1 September 2023 can apply for a grant using a paper form.

If you didn't get a form via email you can download it from the forms and guides page.

The latest you can apply for student finance

You can apply for student finance up to nine months after the start of the academic year if you're a full-time or part-time student.

Check with your university or college when your academic year starts as it’s not necessarily the first day of your course. It will either be 1 September, 1 January, 1 April or 1 July.

• Apply for full-time student finance for 2012/13 Opens new window

• Apply for full-time student finance for 2011/12 Opens new window

• Download new part-time student Tuition Fee Loan application form 2012/13 (PDF, 716 KB) Opens new window

• Download notes for new part-time student Tuition Fee Loan application form (PDF 548 KB) Opens new window

• Download part-time student finance application form 2011/12 (PDF, 393K) Opens new window

• Student finance forms and guides 2012/13

• Download Student finance key dates 2012/13 (PDF, 381K)

How to apply

New full-time students

New full-time students can apply online by following these steps:

1. setting up a student finance account
2. logging into your account and completing the online application form
3. sending in evidence, such as proof of your identity or household income, if you're asked for it
4. signing and returning the loan declaration you receive in the post
   

• Apply for student finance for 2012/13

• Student finance based on your household income

Continuing full-time students

Continuing students need to log in to their account to tell Student Finance England if the student finance they're applying for differs from what they applied for before. If nothing has changed, apply by following these steps:

1. log into your student finance account
2. update and check your details
3. sign and return the loan declaration you receive in the post
   

• Log in to your student finance account

• Contact Student Finance England

New part-time students

If you're a new part-time student, a downloadable application form for a Tuition Fee Loan will be available from early August. Here are the steps in the application process:

1. download the Tuition Fee Loan application form for new students (PTL1) or ask your university or college for an application pack
2. return your completed form to Student Finance England
3. Student Finance England will process your application and send you a Student Finance Entitlement Letter
4. show your Student Finance Entitlement Letter to your university or college
5. once you start your course, your university or college will confirm your attendance
6. Student Finance England will pay your tuition fees direct to your university or college

Continuing part-time students

If you’re a continuing part-time student who started your course before 1 September 2023 and applied for student finance last year, you’ll still be able to apply for a Fee Grant and Course Grant.

You’ll be emailed the ‘Grant application form for continuing part-time students’ (PTGC) mid-August.

If you’re a continuing part-time student, who started your course before 1 September 2023 and you're applying for student finance for the first time, you’ll still be able to apply for a Fee Grant and Course Grant.

You’ll be able to download the ‘Grant application form for new part-time students’ (PTGN) from 3 September 2012.

• Download How and when to apply: part-time students in 2012/13 (PDF, 437K) Opens new window

When you'll get your money

Tuition Fee Loans for new full-time and new part-time students are paid directly to the university or college each term, after students register and their attendance is confirmed.

Full-time students also get any Maintenance Grants or Maintenance Loans after they register at the start of term.

Fee Grants for continuing part-time students are paid directly to their university or college, while Course Grants are paid direct to the student.

If your course, income or family circumstances change

It’s important you tell Student Finance England if your course, income and family circumstances change after you’ve applied as it could affect the finance you're entitled to.

• If your course, income or family circumstances change

Student finance appeals

You can appeal against a decision made about the type and amount of student finance you receive. Appeals are handled by Student Finance England.

• Download how to appeal to Student Finance England (PDF, 32K)

• Download Student Finance England appeals form (PDF, 74K)

More useful links

• Student finance forms and guides 2012/13

• Disabled Students' Allowances - how to apply (disabled people section)