Student Finance England - Maintenance Loans

What the Maintenance Loan gives you

You will receive a government loan paid straight into your bank account to cover your living costs whilst studying: rent, food, books, travel costs and everyday expenses. You will need to repay this money, but only after you have completed or withdrawn from your course and once your income exceeds a set threshold. There is no fixed amount. This depends on your household income and where you are studying; you can get an estimate using the government’s ‘Student Finance Calculator’. The loan is usually paid out at the start of each term. It is administered by ‘Student Finance England’, and Blackburn College advises its students accordingly.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are studying at the University Centre at Blackburn College in the United Kingdom.
• Level: You are a Bachelor’s degree student, whether studying full-time or part-time, including PGCE students (teacher training).
• Residence: You are resident in the United Kingdom or have ‘Settled Status’ under the EU Settlement Scheme. You must also have lived in the United Kingdom for the three years prior to the start of your degree programme.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Household income: The amount depends on your household income, so households on lower incomes receive more support.

How to apply

You submit your application online via ‘Student Finance England’, which will check whether you meet the eligibility criteria and calculate the amount of your funding. Processing takes around four weeks, so please submit your application well in advance of the start of the term. You must reapply for each academic year. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, the Student Finance team at Blackburn College will be happy to advise you.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a grant awarded as part of a selection process, but a standard government loan. If you meet the residence and study requirements, you are entitled to it and do not need to be selected. What varies is the amount, which depends on your household income.