Higher Education

Applications for financial support for students entering Higher Education are administered by Student Finance Direct (SFD). This is a partnership between Local Authorities (LA), and the Student Loans Company (SLC), on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS).

Information on how to apply for financial assistance and direct links and contacts to all those involved in providing finance for students are covered in the following pages.

Academic year 2008-2009

Applications forms will be available from schools and colleges, and the Student Finance Team from

March 2008.

* * * * * *

Online applications can be made mid March 2008 on the Student Finance Direct website.

Timetable for 2008-09

To ensure payment of loans and grants at the start of the 2008 autumn term applications must be received by the following dates:

All students applying for non-means tested support by 25 April 2008.
Continuing students applying for means tested support by 23 May 2008.
New students applying for means tested support by 27 June 2008.

However, you are advised to apply as early as possible so that your application is processed in good time.

What financial help is available?

If you are entering higher education this year you may be entitled to:

A student loan to help pay for living costs and fees
A maintenance grant (dependant upon family income)
Additional help if you are disabled or have dependants
A bursary from the college or university if you are from a low income family

To find out exactly how much financial help students are entitled to - from both the government and from universities/colleges, access the Direct Gov website.

How to apply for support for September 2008

New applicants

If you are entering higher education in September 2008, to study a full time course you can apply for financial support either online or by completing an application form (PN1). (If you are studying part time you will need to complete form PTG1).

You can make an application for student loans and grants by the following methods:

Requesting a PN1 pack online from the Student Finance Team, or
Accessing the Direct Gov website and completing the downloadable form, or
Online from mid March 2008 by visiting the Student Finance Direct website.

Returning your application form

Your application for support should be received no later than 27 June 2008. If you miss this deadline, we will process your application, but we cannot guarantee that you will receive notification of the outcome before you start university, and this may mean that your first payment is delayed. All applications are processed in the date order that they are received.

Please Note: For paper applications (PN1) and original documentary evidence.

It is recommended that if possible your completed application form and supporting documentation is submitted by hand to the Local Authority, then your original document(s) can be handed back to you.

If you are intending to post your completed application form and documents, ensure that you send it to the Student Finance Team at Warrington. Please have your package weighed at the Post Office to determine the correct postage. We reserve the right to refuse any underpaid items because of the high surcharge levied by the Post Office, and cannot be held responsible for their safe return.

All original documentation sent as evidence with your application to the Student Finance Team will be returned to you immediately by ordinary first class post.

Continuing students

If you have already started your course you will receive a letter from Student Finance Direct (SFD), at the beginning of March 2008, reminding you to apply for support for the next academic year.

If you have not received any correspondence from Student Finance Direct by April 2008, please contact SFD for an application form (PR1) or request a copy on line. Alternatively you may wish to download a PR1 form from Direct Gov or apply on line through SFD (this facility will be available from mid March 2008).

You should return your fully completed application form to the Student Finance Team, or apply on line, by 23rd May 2008

Contacts/links

There are various contact points for assistance:

For questions about student finance and how to apply, contact either the Customer Support Office or Student Finance Team.

Customer Support Office: 08456 077577
Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9.00 am to 5.30 pm

Student Finance Team: 01925 443322
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Sat 9.00am to 1.00pm

Please note:

Advice given over the telephone is for information purposes. It can be difficult to establish the full facts over the phone, and misunderstandings can occur. Therefore if you require a definite decision please write in giving full details. Your enquiry will be considered in depth and our decision will be confirmed in writing.
If your enquiry is concerning an application that you have already submitted, you will be asked for your Art ID, password and secret password to confirm your identity (which you should have received by post from Student Finance Direct) before any detailed discussion can take place. This is for security purposes to comply with the Data Protection Act.

Address for visitors: Contact Warrington, 26-30 Horsemarket Street, Warrington, WA1 1XL

Address for correspondence: Student Finance, Children’s Services Directorate, Lower Ground Floor, New Town House, Warrington. WA1 2NH.

Email: esvstudent@warrington.gov.uk