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Right about now, you should be thinking about your student finance for next year. So if you haven’t completed your application, do it very soon. Although right now there is, of course, some changes to the process in light of the Covid-19 situation. ​

These are the most important changes to know if you're applying for Student Finance in the middle of a pandemic.

Can I still apply for student finance?

If you’re going to be a full time undergraduate student then in a word, yes.

Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can continue to apply as normal and your application will be dealt with as fast as the current working conditions allow.

However if you’re a part-time undergraduate student or postgraduate then these will open later in the year so keep an eye on the governments student finance page and their various social media channels.

Ok I’ve applied or I am about to. Will there be a delay in processing my application?

While we can’t say 100% that there won’t be any delays with your application. Student finance is currently processing any applications as soon as they can and tell us they don’t anticipate any delays. If they get snowed under with applications however it might take slightly longer to hear back from them.

I need to post some evidence to support my application. What if I’m not able to because I'm sick?

Student finance have said that your safety is the number one priority. If you send evidence later than normal then this won’t go against your application and you’ll still be entitled to your money.

My parent/guardian has lost their job due to Covid-19. How is this going to affect my application?

Part of your application is based upon your parent/guardians income and they’ll have to submit evidence of this. However student finance is aware that circumstances can change and have procedures to allow for that. So you shouldn’t lose any of the money you’re entitled to!

If your parent/guardian is earning less than they were last year Student finance allows you to base your application based on their ‘current year income’ (CYI).

To find out more about the specific rules that allow for that you can go to the relevant countries link below.

• Student Finance England
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance Northern Ireland
  
  

I still need help, can I contact Student finance during the pandemic?

Yes you can.

Student finance are now operating a partial services in their contact centres although they are prioritising urgent enquiries and asking not to call for general queries. The numbers for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are on their respective pages.

You can also contact them on their social media pages regarding your funding.

​For Student finance England you can go to their Facebook or Twitter. If you’re looking for Student Finance Wales then their Facebook and Twitter pages are there too.

If you want more advice and tips on living in the Covid age have a look at our daily minute motivations here that are uploaded to our Instagram account and subscribe to our youtube channel advice videos, and our monthly newsletter.

Author

ARON TENNANT is  the Talks and Editorial manager for Push. He is originally from South Yorkshire and has a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Sheffield. He also has an MA in Creative Play and Screenwriting from City, University of London and came runner up in Nickelodeon's international screenwriting competition in 2018. Alongside Push he does screenplay work for independent production companies and is working on his own independent film projects