The application process explained

You can obtain an application form by :

• downloading one from this site
• submitting an application here online
• asking for form PN1 and accompanying guidance from your Local Authority

Once you have completed your application you can nominate your sponsor(s) if you are a dependent student (i.e. you depend upon a parent, carer or partner for financial support). they can then submit their details online or complete a paper application form.

It is extremely important that you provide us with your National Insurance Number since this will be required to enable the collection of Student Loan repayment deductions from your salary when you enter repayment.

SLC will not make any loan payments until your Nino has been verified by the DWP. If they cannot match or/trace your details, then SLC will contact you to explain what to do next.

If you do not have a NINO, SLC may release your first payment if proof is received that you are actively trying to obtain a Nino.

You will be required to supply a range of documentation to support your application. If you were born in the UK you will be asked to provide your original birth certificate (or adoption certificate) or your passport. If you were born abroad you will be asked to provide your current passport or a letter or other documents filled in by a responsible person, confirming information about your birth. the PN1 form will provide details of the supporting evidence required from you and your family. Depending on your circumstances your LA may request further evidence from you.

If you apply on paper, you should send the application form plus accompanying evidence of identity and / or income (as outlined to you on your application) to your Local Authority. If you apply online, you should send your evidence with your Customer Reference Number to your Local Authority.

If you are applying for student finance which does not require any financial information to be provided, the deadline to submit your application is 23 April 2010 in order to ensure you receive your first payment at the start of term.

If you are applying for student finance which does require financial information to be provided, the deadline to submit your application is 28 May 2010 in order to ensure you receive your first payment at the start of term.

You should be careful to double check you have enclosed all required evidence – if you do not, processing of your application may be delayed.

If you submit your application after the deadline date you may not receive your first grant or loan payments at the start of your course.

You must apply for support every year of your course.  Details of how to apply will be automatically issued to you.

For this reason it is vital that you keep us up to date with your contact address.

The deadline for student finance applications is 23 April 2010 in order to ensure you receive your first payment at the start of term.

If you submit your application after the deadline date you may not receive your first grant or loan payments at the start of your course.

If you miss this deadline you can still apply up to nine months after the first day of your course.

When your eligibility for support is being assessed, the Local Authority (LA) will take into account the household income, that is, the income of the student and their parents or partner. If your parents or partner do not provide details of their income, you may not receive help with your fees, a grant to which you are entitled, or the maximum amount of student loan available to you.

When your sponsor provides details of their income they will also be invited to submit original documentation as proof of income, but what they are required to send will be explained when they are providing household income details.

Your sponsor can provide their income details by :

• submitting an application online
• downloading form PFF1 or PFF2 (depending upon whether they are supporting a new or continuing student) from this site 
• contacting their Local Authority to ask for form PFF1 of PFF2 

The LA will look at your sponsors’ income for the previous financial year, but if there has been a significant drop in income (15% or more), you should advise the La and they will review your sponsors' likely income for the current year instead.

If the LA decides that they should make a contribution towards your tuition fees and living costs, they will tell them directly.

An application for support can be submitted up to nine months after the first day of your course.