Higher education

There is a range of financial support available to students to help with study costs:

• A student loan to help pay for living costs and fees
• A maintenance grant (dependent upon family income)
• Additional help if you are disabledor 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 - visit the DirectGov website.

New arrangements for processing of Student Finance Application 2009 onwards. 

Student Finance England (formerly Student Finance Direct) is now responsible for providing information , advice and guidance, and for processing applications from students who started a new course from September 2009 onwards. Local Authorities will no longer be involved with the processing of these applications.

Student Finance England is a partnership between the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Student Loans Company.

All enquiries should be made to

                        Student Finance England. Tel: 0845 300 5090

                        Opening Hours:  Monday-Friday 8.00am - 8.00pm

                                                Sat & Sun        9.00am - 5.30pm

Website:DirectGov 

Academic Year 2010/2011

 It is necessary to apply for student finance in each academic year for which financial support is required.  

Continuing Students* - apply for student finance

*Continuing Students who started before academic year 2009/10

If your application for 2009/10 was processed by Warrington Local Authority, and you are continuing on the same course, your 2010/2011 academic year application will be processed by the Warrington Student Finance Team. You can apply online, or complete a PR1. Completed PR1 Forms should be returned to the Warrington address detailed below.

Contacts/links

New Students/Continuing Students

All enquiries from students for 2010/11 academic year should be made to:

Student Helpline:    0845 300 5090

                                Mon to Fri,      8.00am - 8.00 pm
                                Sat and Sun,   9.00am - 5.30 pm

Or, for information check the website: www.directgov.co.uk 

For those Continuing students who will be applying to Warrington LA, there is an additional local contact point - Contact Warrington.

The Local Authority is not able to assist Students whose applications are processed by Student Finance England

ContactWarrington:Tel: 01925 443322

Phone lines are open:

                              Monday to Friday                         8.00am to 6.00pm

                               Saturday                                   9.00am to 1.00pm

Please note
1. Advice given over the telephone by Warrington Local Authority 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.

2. If your enquiry is concerning an application that you have already submitted, you will be asked for your customer reference number (formerly Art ID) 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. 

Visitors Address:   

Contact Warrington   26–30 Horsemarket Street,

                       Warrington, WA1 1XL

Opening hours:         Monday, Wed - Friday  9.00am - 5.00am

                                        Tues                 9.00am - 4.00pm

                                     Saturday              9.00am - 1.00pm

Correspondence Address: 

Student Finance Team, Children & Young People's Services, Lower Ground Floor, New Town House, Warrington. WA1 2NH.

Email:esvstudent@warrington.gov.uk

Other useful links:

• Student Finance Direct 
Provides services and information about financial support in higher education
• Student Loans Company 
Information about student loans and the Student Loans Company
• DirectGov 
The government website for information and advice on all stages of learning
• Universities & Colleges Admissions Service 
Apply for full time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges
• National Bureau for Students with Disabilities (SKILL)
A website promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK.
• NUS Online
The website of the National Union of Students - information and help for students attending university or college
• Career Development Loans
Assistance for students not eligible for financial support from local authorities and other sources
• Open University 
 Offers courses by distance learning
• Teacher Training Agency  
 Information for those interested in a career in teaching
• National Health Service For information on careers in the National Health Service and the financial support available