Higher Education Finance

Student Finance England provides financial support for students entering higher and postgraduate education in the UK, on behalf of the Government.

You may be able to borrow to help you with the cost of living whilst at university, for example, day-to-day expenses, such as accommodation, travel, food and utility bills.

How to apply for finance

New Students

The quickest and easiest way to apply is online at www.gov.uk/studentfinance as soon as the application service opens.

1. Set up a Student Finance account

When you register you’ll be given a unique Customer Reference Number and be asked to create a password and secret answer. You should keep these safe as you’ll need them to log into your account to check the progress of your application and reapply for student finance next year.

2. Fill in and submit your application

The first time you apply you’ll be asked for proof of identity. You can easily do this by giving Student Finance England your valid UK passport details. If you don’t have a UK passport, you may have to send evidence.

If you want to apply for student finance that depends on your household income, your parents or partner will be asked for their National Insurance Number and their personal income details.

3. Send any required evidence

Student Finance England may contact you, or your parents/partner to ask for evidence to support your application.

If you’ve had no contact with your parents for over a year, you might be able to apply as an ‘independent student’.