New and continuing full-time undergraduate students from England are being strongly urged to apply now for student finance, as the application service has officially launched for the 2025/26 academic year. This proactive approach is emphasized by the Student Loans Company (SLC), which highlights the necessity of securing funding before courses begin. With more than 1.5 million students receiving nearly £22 billion in maintenance loans, grants, and tuition fees during the 2023/24 academic year, the SLC is committed to ensuring students have the financial support they need.
The SLC encourages prospective students not to delay their applications, as it can take around six to eight weeks for the application process to be completed. "If you are planning or thinking about going to university... my message is to apply for your student finance as early as possible. Importantly, you can track your application...," said Jackie Currie, Executive Director of Customer Operations at the SLC. Students can monitor their application status through their online account without needing to contact the agency.
One significant aspect of this year’s applications is the changes to tuition fees announced by the UK government. Starting from August 2025, students will face increased tuition fees. For the 2025/26 academic year, tuition fees for full-time courses have now risen to £9,535, whereas those choosing accelerated degree courses will need to account for £11,440, and part-time courses will cost £7,145. Foundation years will be charged differently, with students paying either £5,760 for classroom-based subjects or up to £9,535 for non-classroom-based courses.
Students are advised to have important documents ready before beginning their applications. Those applying based on household income should have their parent’s email address available, as parents will receive notifications to provide necessary income details. Alongside this, students will need their National Insurance number, passport details, and bank account information, including the eight-digit account number and six-digit sort code. Changes to bank details post-application can also be easily updated through their online accounts.
Students can track the progress of their applications and will be notified about any outstanding actions they need to take through their online accounts. The SLC has created various resources—including the Student Toolkit and Student Timeline—helping students know what steps they need to take and offering key application dates along the way.
To assist students even more, the SLC has implemented numerous online resources, such as instructional videos and articles to address common questions. Potential applicants can access this wealth of information directly through their online accounts, where over 50 articles are prepared to address concerns and inquiries they or their families may have.
It's also important for students who have previously studied, even if self-funded, to apply as early as possible to confirm their eligibility for funding. If returning after a break, they should log back onto the account they originally created to avoid confusion.
For those individuals estranged from their parents, there are special provisions available. Students who have had no contact with their parents for over a year may apply as estranged students. This group will have their applications handled sensitively by specially trained advisors, who will guide them through the necessary evidence requirements.
It's worth noting, too, students may be able to receive additional financial support depending on their individual circumstances, including factors such as caring responsibilities or if they are pursuing specific courses like medical, social work, or teaching. Students can find more details on these options through the SLC website.
Looking to the future, student finance applications for part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students will be accessible later this spring. With significant changes coming to tuition fees and the overall strategy of the SLC moving toward paperless communications starting from the 2025/26 academic year, students should stay informed and double-check their accounts to receive notifications of their funding status. Ensuring their finances are sorted out before the start of the academic year can help students focus entirely on their studies, rather than financial concerns.