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Frequently asked questions

I am starting university in September 2008. When do I apply?

Will my application form still be processed if I send it in after the deadline?

How will my student loan be paid to me and when?

Do I need to send in my original documents you request, or can I send in a photocopy?

I do not have a passport, what should I do?

When will I hear if my application has been processed?

What is the difference between income and non-income assessed?

What is the difference between an independent and a dependent student?

What happens if I change the course or university I originally applied for?

How and when will I receive my student loan?

When do I have to start paying back my student loan?

How much interest will I be charged?

Do I have to pay for my fees straight away?

Can I get extra help if I have a child or a disability?

Can I get any extra help or bursaries from the university itself?

I am starting university in September 2008. When do I apply?

Application forms are from March.

You should apply as soon as possible, however to ensure you receive your loan on time you should submit your form by the 27th June 2008.

You must submit a completed application within 9 months of the start of the academic year.

You can contact us for a form. Please see our Student Finance home page for methods of contacting us, or apply on-line on the Student Finance Direct website.

Will my application form still be processed if I send it in after the deadline?

Yes, but you may not receive your payment for the start of term.

If you do not return the form within 9 months of the start of the academic year you may lose your full entitlement for the year.

How will my student loan be paid to me and when?

If you have met the application deadlines, you should receive your first payment on the first day of term. This will usually be by BACS credit direct into your bank account. You must ensure you have a bank account set up in your own name.

You will need to take your financial notification to your university/college to be scanned to confirm your attendance before the payment is released.

You will receive subsequent payments at the beginning of each term.

Do I need to send in my original documents you request, or can I send in a photocopy?

We can only accept original documents. We copy and return original documents on the day we receive them. Passports are returned by Special delivery and birth certificates by Recorded delivery.

Alternatively you can bring your documents into Howden House and have them photocopied and returned to you while you wait.

I do not have a passport, what should I do?

You are encouraged to send a valid original UK passport. However if you do not have one, we can accept your original birth certificate.

This must be accompanied by a declaration completed by a 3rd party confirming your identity. You can download this form from the Student Finance Direct website.

When will I hear if my application has been processed?

You will be sent a Notification letter from the Student Loans Company detailing your entitlement.

We aim to process your form within 6 weeks of receipt (30 working days) or 4 weeks (20 working days) if you apply on-line.

Please note that due to government changes to Maintenance Grants in 2008/09 we will be unable to issue means-tested assessments until early June when the Student Loans Company release the necessary software.

What is the difference between income and non-income assessed?

Income Assessed:

This is an assessment where we look at the income into the household for the previous tax year 2007.

We use this to determine whether a student is entitled to receive a Maintenance Grant and Maintenance Loan.

Non-Income Assessed:

This is an assessment where we do not require any household income details, but the student can only receive 75% of the Maintenance Loan entitlement only.

The student, will not be entitled to be assessed for the Maintenance Grant and full Maintenance Loan.

What is the difference between an independent and a dependent student?

A dependent student is a someone who is regarded under the conditions of the Student Support regulations as financially dependent on the parental/guardian household income.

If a student is dependent and wants to be income assessed to receive a Maintenance Grant and a full Maintenance Loan, we require parental/guardian household income for the tax year ending 5^th April 2008.

An independent student is a student who is not financially dependent on the household income under the following conditions:

Over the age of 25 (before the 1^st September 2008)
Have been working full time for 3 years prior to starting course. (Must not have been in full time education during the work period)
Married before the start of the 1^st September 2008
Have a child of their own
Both parents are deceased
Student has been in Care of the Local Authority.
Student can provide a statement from an independent source that there is permanent estrangement from their parents.

What happens if I change the course or university I originally applied for?

If you change your course or university/college before the academic year has started,

please contact us by e-mail at studentfinance@sheffield.gov.uk

or download the 'Change of Circumstances' form on the Student Finance Direct website.

If you change your course or university after you have enrolled on your course, please notify us in writing. We also require a 'notice of transfer' from your new university/college.

How and when will I receive my student loan?

If you have applied by the deadline, and have registered at your university your student loan will be paid straight into your bank account.

This is why it is important that you provide us with your bank details on the application form.

When do I have to start paying back my student loan?

You start repaying your loan when you have graduated and are earning at least £15,000.

The repayments are arranged by the Inland Revenue and are taken straight from your salary.

Any loans that have not been paid off after 25 years are written off.

You can download an application form from the Student Finance Direct website or e-mail us at studentfinance@sheffield.gov.uk for an application form.

Can I get any extra help or bursaries from the university itself?

Universities offer various bursaries. As each university offers different amounts or incentives you will need to contact the university where you will be studying or check out their website.

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