Student Money Advice

Are you worried about your student finance application?

http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/moneyadvice

Information for full-time students eligible for funding who live in England

If you have started your course but your student funding has not yet been paid into your account, it can be a worry. Remember that it usually takes 3-4 days for your student loans and grants to be paid into your account once you have enrolled on your course (and if you are a new student you have completed your ID check).

Students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland see:

Reasons why your Student Finance could be delayed

Late Application

If you haven’t applied for your funding yet, perhaps because you were accepted on a course over the summer, or through clearing – don’t worry it’s not too late to apply.

You need to apply online as soon as possible. www.gov.uk/student-finance

Studied before in Higher Education?

If you have previously studied on a Higher Education course then funding for your new full-time course may be limited. You could find that you are responsible for paying your own tuition fees and living costs for at least part of the course. Seek advice from the Student Money Advice Team as soon as possible if you are unsure about this.

All Students

After Student Finance England have received your application and evidence you should be sent a ‘Student Finance Entitlement’ letter. In some cases this will not show your full award, it may be that only the ‘basic Maintenance Loan’ has been paid. This could be because they require further information to calculate an ‘income-assessed’ award.

No matter what expected date the ‘Student Finance Entitlement’ letter gives for your first payment of student support it will not be paid to you until the University has confirmed to Student Finance England that you have enrolled onto and are attending your course.

Make sure that you have completed the enrolment process so that your loans and grants can be paid.

Once SFE have received confirmation from Leeds Beckett that you are enrolled and attending your course, the first installment takes 3-4 days to reach your bank account.

If you have not received any information or letters from SFE about your application for funding and are unsure at what stage of the application process you have reached then check your details online or contact SFE on 0300 100 0607.

Other reasons why funding can be late

Check your online account, or phone Student Finance England to find out why your funding has been delayed. Reasons could include:

  • Not signing and returning your ‘Declaration Form’. If you don’t have the form, you can print one – it is in the ‘check and submit’ section of your online account.
  • If your circumstances have changed, such as where you are going to study, or new bank account details. You can tell SFE online or by calling 0300 100 0607.
  • If you haven’t got a National Insurance number go to https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number... or phone the Jobcentre Plus on 0345 6000643.

What to do if your funding has been delayed

  • Arrive at university with some money to help you manage the first few weeks.
  • Open a Student Bank Account with an interest free overdraft facility.
  • If you already have a bank account which does not have an interest free overdraft contact your bank and ask to convert your account to a student account.
  • Explain to your bank that your finance has been delayed. They may extend your overdraft or offer a temporary facility until your student finance instalment arrives.
  • If you’ve set up a direct debit to cover your rent and you don’t have enough money in your account to cover it, ask your bank to cancel your direct debit to avoid bank charges, contact the Accommodation Team or landlord to explain the situation and ask to set a new payment date.
  • Contact SFE on 0300 100 0607 or log-on to your online account to find out when you will be paid, and if you need to do anything else before you get paid.
  • Apply to the university for a Short Term Loan from the Hardship Fund – contact the Student Hub about this, or email moneysupport@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
  • Find some part-time work by registering with the Job Shop
  • Prepare a budget and plan your income and spending until your next funding instalment. See the budgeting section on our website.
  • If you think the Student Finance England funding decision is wrong then you can appeal their decision. Or, if you are dissatisfied with the service that you have received from Student Finance England then let them know. For a leaflet about how to appeal a decision or complain about the service you have received go to:www.gov.uk/contact-student-finance-england
  • Take a look at the information on our website:leedsmet.ac.uk/moneyadvice