Student loans and grants are for full-time students only. As soon as you have applied for your course you should send in your application for loan too. You need not wait for your course application to be confirmed because if it is not it’s very easy to cancel your loan. On the other hand if your loan application gets delayed the money you need might not arrive in time for enrolment, which would cause you a lot of trouble.

The first step in your loans application process is the submission of the application itself. Make sure that all the required details are filled in and that your parents or spouse, who will also be required to fill in the application form for their income details, have also filled in all of the necessary details. Make sure that all the details are accurate as well since any inconsistencies can result in your application being turned down.

Upon submission of your application form your local authority will then review your information and assess the amount of financial help you are entitled to.

After being assessed your Local Authority will then submit their recommendation of just how much you are entitled to loan to Student Finance Direct. Student Finance Direct will then be responsible for contacting you and giving you the details of regarding the amount to be paid to you and the date in which you can expect to receive your loan.

The date when you will receive your loan depends on the accuracy of the bank details you have submitted to Student Finance Direct as well as the date for your course’s registration. Confirmation of loan approval usually arrives within 6 to 8 weeks after the submission of loan application but may be delayed if there are any difficulties encountered in the loan process like incomplete details in your form.

When you register for your course all you need to bring is the Financial Assessment which will be mailed to you by your local authority and the Payment Schedule Letter, which will come from Student Finance Direct. Your place of study will then contact Student Finance Direct to have the first payment released. Release of payment is automatic and takes about 3 to 5 working days to be cleared.