The Student Loans Company (SLC) is encouraging full-time
undergraduate students to apply for student finance now, ahead of
key deadlines this spring.
Student Finance England
Full-time undergraduate students from England whose course starts
between 31 August and 31 December 2026 can now apply for student
finance.
SLC is encouraging students to apply before the deadline
of Friday 15 May 2026 to ensure their funding is in
place for the start of their course. Students can apply even if
they don't yet have a confirmed university place, they can select
the course they are most likely to study and update their
application later if their plans change.
Applications can take up to six to eight weeks to process.
Students do not need to contact SLC to check their application
status, they can track progress through their online account and
will be notified if any further information is needed.
Tips for applying:
- Apply now even without a confirmed university place, you can
update your course details at any time.
- Have your National Insurance number, passport and bank
details to hand before you start.
- Submit any supporting evidence requested through your online
account.
Helpful resources are available on the SFE campaign page,
including a student
guide covering everything you need to know about Student
Finance England, advice on
preparing your application, and self-service
support for common questions.
Courses starting on or after 1 January 2027
Students from England whose course starts from January 2027
onwards will apply for funding through the Lifelong Learning
Entitlement (LLE).
Applications for the LLE are expected to be available from
September 2026. Find out more about the
LLE on GOV.UK.
Tuition Fee only students
Full-time undergraduate students applying for a Tuition Fee loan
only can also apply now for 2026 to 2027. More information is available on
GOV.UK.
Student Finance Wales
Full-time undergraduate applications for 2026 to 2027 are now
open for students from Wales. SLC is encouraging students to
apply before the deadline of Friday 29 May 2026 to
ensure their funding is ready for the start of their course.
Students in Wales can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover fees
and a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs. A Welsh
Government Learning Grant, which does not need to be repaid, may
also be available.
Visit the
Discover Student Finance page for guidance on how to apply,
what to expect throughout your student finance journey, and
details of the funding available.
Student Finance Northern Ireland
Full-time undergraduate applications for 2026 to 2027 are now
open for students from Northern Ireland. SLC is encouraging
students to apply before the deadline of Thursday 30 April
2026 to ensure their funding is in place for the start of
their course.
A range of financial support is available to students from
Northern Ireland. Visit the
Student Finance NI guidance page to find out what you may be
eligible for.
Stay up to date
Students can follow SLC on social media for the latest news and
updates on student finance.
