It's predicted that this year's Clearing window will be busier than ever, due to a range of factors, including an increase in the number of 18-year-olds heading to university or college as well as a return to a more normal academic year following Covid. SLC is encouraging students not to wait to apply for student finance, even if they don't have a confirmed course place yet.
With a processing time of up to six to eight weeks, eligible students who are applying for higher rates of maintenance loans or for additional grants may not receive their full funding entitlement at the start of term. However, in these circumstances SLC will award the Tuition Fee Loan and the minimum amount of Maintenance Loan before the start of the course, while it confirms household income and any other relevant details. Students will get the remainder of their maintenance and any other funding entitlement as a top up payment as soon as possible once those details are confirmed.
Chris Larmer, Operations Director at SLC, said: "We have around 1.5 million students expected to start or return to education this autumn and my advice to students this week is not to wait for your exams results - submit an application as soon as possible as it can always be changed and updated online at a later date."
SLC's Clearing Top Tips
-
The easiest way to apply is online:
Students in England can apply at: https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/Students in Wales can apply at: https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/discover-student-finance
-
For most students, it's straightforward to apply and should only take around 30 minutes.
This year SLC has improved the service to make it easier to use, which means that the majority can complete their application digitally - submitting evidence, updating personal details and checking on next steps via their online accounts. If they need any help, there is plenty of information available online. Students in England can apply at: https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/Students in Wales can apply at: https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/discover-student-finance
-
Once submitted, applications take up to six to eight weeks to process and we will
