Student finance and Clearing

If you've applied to university through Clearing, you'll need to change or apply for student finance.

Here's what to do:

If you need to change your student finance application

You will need to change your student finance application if you have:

  • Applied to a different university
  • Changed course
  • Changed whether you're going to live at home or university

You should change your student finance application as soon as possible, so that it can be processed. Follow Student Finance's instructions on how to change your application.

If you haven't applied for student finance

You should apply for student finance as soon as possible. You will need information about your university, course and household income. Find out more in our student finance guide.

Student Finance can take weeks to process your application, so you may not get your money in time for the start of term. You may need to rely on family, a job or savings to help with costs at the start of term.

Speak to our financial support team

Our financial support team can help you as soon as you apply through Clearing. You can:

We've helped many students change their student finance applications. That means we should be able to resolve any problems you're facing. We can even contact Student Finance on your behalf.

If you've already started university, you can come and see us in person on the lower ground floor of the Student Centre.

Student Finance delays

Student Finance can get very busy around Clearing. It may take them longer to process your application. If you've changed your application, this should be approved quicker than applying for the first time.

If you have applied for student finance during Clearing, it may take longer than six weeks to process your application. This means that you may not have your maintenance loan by the start of term. You should make sure that you have money from family, a job or savings to cover this period. Our financial support team can issue emergency vouchers if you need them.

Sometimes, Student Finance will approve the minimum amount so you can get some money by the start of term. Then, they will backpay you the rest of the money if you are entitled to more.

Remember that you need to be registered at the university to receive your money. Complete your enrolment as soon as possible.