Issue 3

Postgraduate Loan
Applications available from late June.

In the last issue of Exchange we told you about the new Postgraduate Loan that will be available for students starting a postgraduate Master’s course in 2016.

We know students have been asking when and how they can apply, now we can let you know more about the application process.

How and when to apply

Students will be able to apply for a Postgraduate Loan from late June, for postgraduate Master’s course starting on or after 1 August 2016.

The quickest and easiest way to apply will be online at www.gov.uk/postgraduateloan

You should encourage your students to apply as soon as possible once the application service launches so their Postgraduate Loan is ready for the start of their course.

They don’t need to have accepted a place on a course to apply, like undergraduate students they should use their preferred choice and can update the course and university details later if they need to.

Evidence

UK students can provide their valid UK passport details to confirm their identity and won’t need to send any documents to us. So for most students the application process should be quick and easy.

If we do ask for more information or evidence, like a non UK passport, they should send this as soon as possible so it doesn’t delay their application.

What next?

Students should make sure they send us a signed declaration form. They’ll be able to download this once they’ve completed their application.

Once we’ve assessed the application, we’ll send the student a letter confirming how much Postgraduate Loan they’ll get and the dates we’re expecting to make payments to them.

Getting paid

Students will have to register with their university before we can make the first payment.

The Postgraduate Loan will be paid directly into their bank account at three times during each academic year.

The Postgraduate Loan is a contribution towards their costs while they’re studying. This means they can spend it however they like, although we suggest using it for tuition fees or living costs.

New Postgraduate Loan resources are available now

Our new dedicated Postgraduate Loan playlist has films explaining how to apply for a Postgraduate Loan and how the loan will be repaid. This is available on our YouTube channel and our practitioner website

We also have a new range of ‘Ask SFE about’ Postgraduate Loans films which includes more detailed information about evidence, Disabled Students’ Allowances and how to repay.

You can order printed copies our new ‘How to apply’ and ‘Repayment’ Postgraduate Loans quick guides. This handy pack is designed to be handed out to your students and will sell out fast, so get your orders in now!

There’s also a suite of helpful factsheets with more information about applying, eligibility and repaying Postgraduate Loans on our practitioner website – www.practitioners.slc.co.uk

For more information about the new Postgraduate Loan, send your students to www.thestudentroom.co.uk/studentfinance. This is where they’ll find the most up to date information and regular updates.

2016 All rights reserved. Created by Student Loans Company.

Disclaimer ‘Exchange’ contains facts, views, opinions, statements and recommendations of third party individuals and organisations. The Student Loans Company Limited (SLC) does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information written by guest columnists. Any reliance on any such opinion, advice, statement or information shall be at your own risk. SLC reserves the right to remove or alter content or take down this eMag at any time without notice.
Links to third party information This eMag includes links to third party web sites. These links are used to provide further information and are not intended to signify that SLC endorses such websites and/or their content.