How to get your first payment if you’re applying late

Follow our key steps on how to get your first payment if you're applying late for student finance.

 

Don’t worry if you've missed the full-time undergraduate student finance deadline.

You can still apply and get some money in time for near the start of your course.

Visit our dedicated pages for more information if you’re applying for part-time or postgraduate student finance.

If you haven’t applied yet or you’ve just recently applied for your full-time undergraduate student finance, here’s what needs to happen to make sure you have some funding in place for when your course starts.

1. Applying for student finance

It’s important if you haven’t already done so to create an account or sign into your online account (opens in a new tab) and apply as soon as possible.

It’s quick and easy to apply online - it only takes 30 minutes with your:

  • Passport details
  • National Insurance number
  • Bank details

You don’t need a confirmed place at uni or college to apply, you can apply now and update your details later if you need to. You must apply no later than 9 months after the start of your academic year.

2. Check your online account

It usually takes us 6 to 8 weeks to process an application, there’s no need to call us for an update while we do this.

While you’re waiting for an update you should check 'your actions to complete' in your online account (opens in a new tab) in case we need more information or evidence from you. If you don’t complete the actions, your application won’t be able to progress.

3. We’ll sort out your initial funding

Once you submit your application, we may award you a Maintenance Loan and Grant that’s not based on your household income to ensure you have money near the start of your course.

4. We’ll assess the rest of your application

We’ll then assess your household details part of your application if you’ve applied for this.

Once we process your household income details, the total amount you’ll be paid won’t change, but the ratio of Maintenance Loan and Grant might. If you’ve been paid too much Maintenance Loan, this may need to be paid back or will be taken away from any future Maintenance Loan entitlement.

If your Maintenance Grant increases, you could receive a further payment. Grants don’t need to be paid back.

If you’re applying for student finance based on your household income, make sure to ask your parents or partner to provide their financial information as soon as possible to avoid delays to your application.

Your parents or partner will need to sign into an existing account or create an account to submit their details. They don’t need to upload any evidence, especially not P60s, unless we ask for it. If you upload evidence we’ve not asked for this will delay the application.

You don’t need to call us for an update, we’ll notify you once the application is fully approved.

5. What you need to do to get your first payment

In order to get your first student finance payment, you’ll also need to register at your uni or college, as we won’t be able to pay you until you do. Once you’ve completed these steps, we’ll update your online account, confirming your first payment date.

You don’t need to call us to check your payment date, sign in to your online account (opens in a new tab) to view your payment schedule and amount.

6. When your application is fully approved

Once we’ve assessed your household income details, we’ll send you another letter confirming your full entitlement amount.

For a whole range of student finance information, visit our campaign page and follow us on: