The short answer is: it depends on your immigration status. Most international students on a student visa do not qualify for Student Finance England. However, a significant number of students who arrived in the UK from other countries do qualify, and many of them do not realise it. This guide sets out exactly who is eligible, what they can receive, and how to apply.
Who Qualifies for Student Finance England?
Student Finance England is funded by the UK government and is primarily available to UK nationals and those with settled status who have been living in the UK for at least three years. The full eligibility rules cover several categories beyond standard UK citizens.
| Category | Eligible for Student Finance? | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|
| UK nationals | Yes | Must have lived in UK for 3 years before course start |
| Irish citizens | Yes | Must have lived in UK or Ireland for 3 years |
| EU Settled Status holders | Yes | Must have lived in UK for 3 years before course start |
| EU Pre-Settled Status holders | Partial | Tuition fee loan only in most cases. Check individual circumstances. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Yes | Must have lived in UK for 3 years before course start |
| Refugee Status | Yes | No 3-year residency requirement |
| Humanitarian Protection | Yes | No 3-year residency requirement |
| Stateless persons | Yes | Must have lived in UK for 3 years |
| Student visa holders | No | Not eligible for Student Finance England |
| Skilled Worker visa holders | Partial | Depends on individual circumstances |
| Family members of eligible persons | Possibly | Complex rules apply. Check individual circumstances. |
Eligibility rules for Student Finance England are detailed and individual circumstances vary significantly. If you are unsure whether you qualify, AEC Consultant can check your eligibility and advise on your specific situation.
EU Students and Student Finance England
The position for EU students changed significantly after the UK left the European Union. The rules now depend on when you arrived in the UK and what immigration status you hold.
EU Settled Status
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national who applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and received settled status, you are generally eligible for Student Finance England on the same basis as a UK national. You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years immediately before the first day of your course.
Settled status means you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. If you arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and have been living here continuously, you should have applied for settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme.
EU Pre-Settled Status
If you hold pre-settled status rather than settled status, your eligibility for student finance is more limited. In most cases, students with pre-settled status are eligible for the tuition fee loan but not the maintenance loan. The rules in this area have been subject to legal challenge and have changed over time.
If you hold pre-settled status and are considering applying to university, contact AEC Consultant before applying for student finance. The rules around pre-settled status and student finance are complex and your individual circumstances will determine what you are entitled to.
EU Students Who Arrived After 31 December 2020
EU nationals who arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020 are generally not eligible for Student Finance England unless they hold another qualifying immigration status such as settled status through a different route, refugee status or humanitarian protection.
Refugee Status and Humanitarian Protection
Students who have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK are eligible for Student Finance England. Importantly, the usual three-year UK residency requirement does not apply to this group.
This means a student who arrived in the UK recently as a refugee and is starting university can still qualify for full student finance, including both the tuition fee loan and the maintenance loan, from their first year of study.
Family members of refugees who have been granted leave to enter or remain in the UK may also qualify. The rules in this area are specific and AEC Consultant can advise on individual cases.
Students on a Student Visa
International students who are in the UK on a student visa are not eligible for Student Finance England. This applies regardless of how long you have been in the UK or which country you are from.
If you are a student visa holder, tuition fees and living costs must be covered through other means, such as personal savings, family support, scholarships, or bursaries offered directly by universities.
What Can Eligible International Students Receive?
Students who qualify for Student Finance England can receive the same support as any other eligible UK student. This includes the following.
Tuition Fee Loan
Up to £9,790 per year for the 2025/26 academic year. This is paid directly to your university and covers your course fees in full for most undergraduate courses. You do not handle this money directly.
Maintenance Loan
A loan to cover your living costs, paid directly into your bank account in three instalments each academic year. The amount depends on your household income and where you live while studying.
- Living away from home in London: up to £14,135
- Living away from home outside London: up to £10,544
- Living at home: up to £7,110
The maintenance loan is means-tested, which means students from lower household incomes receive more. If your parents or partner are unable or unwilling to provide income information, you may still be entitled to a flat-rate maintenance loan.
The Three-Year Residency Requirement
Most students who qualify for Student Finance England must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years immediately before the first day of their course. This applies to EU settled status holders, ILR holders, stateless persons and most other qualifying categories.
Time spent in the UK solely for the purpose of receiving full-time education does not count towards the three-year period in some circumstances. This is a complex area and individual cases vary. Contact AEC Consultant if you are unsure whether your residency history qualifies.
As noted above, the three-year residency requirement does not apply to refugees or those with humanitarian protection.
How to Apply for Student Finance as an International Student
The application process is the same as for UK students. You apply online through the Student Finance England portal at gov.uk/student-finance. When completing your application, you will be asked about your nationality and immigration status. This determines your eligibility category.
You will need to provide evidence of your immigration status as part of the application. For EU settled status holders, this means providing your share code from the UKVI online service rather than a physical document, as EU settlement status is entirely digital.
For a full guide to the application process, read our guide on how to apply for Student Finance England.
AEC Consultant has processed over £60M in Student Finance England applications and has helped many students with complex immigration backgrounds navigate the eligibility and application process. Contact our team to check your eligibility and get guidance on your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have EU settled status. Can I get student finance?
Yes, in most cases. EU settled status holders are eligible for Student Finance England provided they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before their course starts. Contact AEC Consultant to confirm your specific eligibility before applying.
I have EU pre-settled status. Can I get student finance?
Eligibility for students with pre-settled status is complex and has changed following legal challenges. In most cases, pre-settled status holders can access the tuition fee loan but not the maintenance loan. Individual circumstances vary, so seek advice before applying.
I am a refugee. Can I get student finance?
Yes. Students who have been granted refugee status in the UK are eligible for full Student Finance England, including both the tuition fee loan and the maintenance loan. The three-year UK residency requirement does not apply to refugees.
I have a student visa. Can I get student finance?
No. Student visa holders are not eligible for Student Finance England regardless of how long they have been in the UK. You would need to fund your studies through other means such as scholarships, personal savings or university bursaries.
I have Indefinite Leave to Remain. Can I get student finance?
Yes, provided you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before your course starts. ILR holders are eligible for Student Finance England on the same basis as UK nationals.
Do I need to provide my immigration documents to apply?
Yes. You will need to evidence your immigration status as part of your student finance application. For EU settled or pre-settled status, you provide a share code from the UKVI online service. For other statuses such as ILR, refugee status or humanitarian protection, you provide relevant documentation as requested.
Can I get student finance if I have lived in the UK for less than three years?
In most cases, no. The three-year ordinary residency requirement applies to most eligibility categories. The main exception is students with refugee status or humanitarian protection, for whom the residency requirement does not apply.
My parents are from outside the EU. Does that affect my eligibility?
Your parents' nationality does not directly affect your eligibility. What matters is your own nationality, immigration status and residency history. If you are a UK national or hold a qualifying immigration status and have lived in the UK for the required period, you are likely eligible regardless of your parents' backgrounds.
"Not Sure If You Qualify for Student Finance? AEC Consultant checks eligibility for students with all types of immigration status. Get in touch today."
Phone: +44 7946 279253 · Email: info@aecconsultant.co.uk · aecconsultant.co.uk/contact/
