A-level results day is fast approaching, and the Student Loans
Company (SLC) is reminding prospective students going through the
Clearing process to apply for student finance.
Students can apply online, and it takes around 30 minutes to
complete an application - www.gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance
For students who haven’t applied for student
finance
- The message from SLC is clear: submit your application as
soon as possible.
- Students can use the application tracker in their online
account to view the status of their application at any
time, so there is no need to worry or get in touch with SLC for
an update on progress.
For students who have already applied for student
finance
- There’s no further action needed unless they accept a place
through Clearing on a different course, university, or
college. If a course is accepted through Clearing, it’s
crucial the student updates their online account as soon as
possible.
- It’s also important to note that these details must be
updated even if their UCAS application has changed, as their
student finance application isn’t linked to UCAS.
Jackie Currie, Executive Director, Operations at
SLC, said: “For those still to apply, my message is to get their
application in as soon as you can. The sooner you submit your
application the sooner we can get your student finance in place.”
It can take up to six to eight weeks for an application to be
processed. To support students Student Finance England (SFE) will
make an initial assessment, so that students have some money as
close to the start of their course as possible, with a top of up
payment later if they are entitled to more.
Parents or partners of those applying for student finance during
Clearing should also respond as soon as possible to any requests
to support the application. This could include details of their
household income, to ensure the student is awarded the correct
amount of student finance. Visit our guide for more information
on how to support an
application.
To help students who are applying for student finance during
Clearing, SFE has a guide containing
useful information including steps they can take to ensure their
application can be processed quickly and how to update their
details.
This includes information on funding, when payments are made, if
a student changes course or if living situations changes.
