Lori Meadows
Whether Student Finance will pay for a repeat year depends on several factors. Students are normally entitled to funding for the standard length of their course plus one extra year, which is often referred to as a ''gift year'. This gift year can be used to fund a full or partial repeat year. If you have to repeat a year or module, you might be eligible for funding, but this will depend on your individual circumstances and whether you have already used your gift year of funding. If you are funded by Student Finance England (SFE) and have to repeat a year due to compelling personal reasons, such as illness, pregnancy, or bereavement, you may be awarded an extra year of funding at SFE's discretion. However, it is important to note that Student Finance is typically only available for your first degree or higher education qualification, and repeating a year can affect your funding entitlement in relation to tuition fee loans, maintenance grants, bursaries, and scholarships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student Finance England (SFE) funding eligibility | Normally entitled to funding for the standard length of the course plus one extra year (known as a "gift year") |
| Funding for repeat years is available only for the first degree or higher education qualification | |
| If repeating a year due to "compelling personal reasons", SFE may award an extra year of funding at their discretion | |
| If repeating failed modules only, may not be a repeat of the full academic year | |
| If repeating a year, must reapply for student finance and provide evidence of personal reasons for repeating | |
| If repeating a year, may be eligible for a Maintenance Loan and any additional grants, such as Disabled Students' Allowance, Parent Learning Allowance, and Childcare Grant | |
| Tuition fee costs for repeating a year are calculated based on the number of credits repeated |
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What You'll Learn
Student Finance England (SFE) funding eligibility
Course-related Eligibility
To be eligible for SFE funding, the course must meet specific criteria. It should be a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course with a 'course intensity' of 25% or more. An exception is made for degree apprenticeships, which are not eligible for SFE funding. Additionally, the course should be based in the UK, and the student must be enrolled at a qualified university or college.
Residency and Nationality
An individual's nationality and residency status play a role in determining their eligibility for SFE funding. To be eligible, one must have continuously lived in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man for three years before the start of their academic year. Temporary absences, such as holidays, are generally accepted.
Previous Study and Extenuating Circumstances
Previous study can impact SFE funding eligibility. If an individual has previously studied at level 4 or above, their funding for a new course may be affected. SFE uses a calculation to determine funding eligibility: " [l]ength in years of the new course, plus one gift year, minus the number of years of previous study." This calculation considers partial years of study. However, if an individual had to discontinue their previous course due to medical or other personal reasons, they can apply for an exception.
Extenuating Circumstances and Evidence
Students repeating a year due to compelling personal reasons, such as illness, pregnancy, or bereavement, may be eligible for an extra year of funding at SFE's discretion. It is crucial to provide evidence, such as letters from professionals or university officials, to support these claims.
Types of Funding Available
SFE offers various types of funding, including Tuition Fee Loans, Maintenance Loans, and grants. The Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to the university or college, while the Maintenance Loan is paid into the student's bank account at the start of each term. Grants, such as the Childcare Grant, Disabled Students' Allowance, and Parents' Learning Allowance, are also available depending on eligibility criteria.
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Mitigating circumstances
If you need to repeat a year of study, this can affect your student finance. You'll normally only get student finance for your first degree or higher education qualification, even if you studied a long time ago, or if the course was abroad. The number of years that you can get a Tuition Fee Loan for is calculated as: length of the current course + one year – years of previous study.
If you have to repeat a year or module on your course, you might be eligible for funding. Student Finance England (SFE) usually refers to this as a 'gift year'. The gift year can be used to fund a full or partial year repeat. During this time, you continue to be eligible for all the SFE loans and grants you usually receive.
However, if you did not have mitigating circumstances or 'compelling personal reasons' for needing to repeat, or if you do not have independent evidence of your circumstances, you will be required to pay your own fees for the repeat year. If you are funded by SFE, you will not receive the Maintenance Grant or the Special Support Grant (if you normally receive these). You will, however, be eligible for the Maintenance Loan and any additional grants, such as Disabled Students’ Allowance, the Parent Learning Allowance, and the Childcare Grant. If you are funded by the Student Finance EU Team, you will not receive any funding for the repeat year in this situation.
If you had personal or medical problems that affected your performance during the previous year and can provide independent evidence (e.g., a doctor's letter), you can ask SFE for repeat funding on the grounds of 'compelling personal reasons' (CPR). Other acceptable reasons for applying for an extra year include illness, pregnancy, or bereavement. Student Finance England will review each application on an individual basis.
As soon as you've applied for student finance, you should upload evidence of your personal reasons for repeating a year or leaving your course. It is crucial to upload a cover letter that includes your Customer Reference Number (CRN) and explains the situation and how it affected your studies. Examples of evidence you can upload to prove these personal reasons include a letter on headed paper from a professional, such as a doctor or a social worker, who can confirm the situation, or a letter from someone at your university or college who can confirm your situation and when you left the course. If you do not have any of the evidence listed, you should upload a cover letter explaining your situation in detail, along with any evidence you believe supports your application.
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Compelling personal reasons
If you are repeating a year, you will need to check that you have enough funding entitlement to cover the year. If you don't, you may need to self-fund.
If you are funded by Student Finance England (SFE), you will not receive the Maintenance Grant or the Special Support Grant. However, you will be eligible for the Maintenance Loan and any additional grants, such as Disabled Students' Allowance, the Parent Learning Allowance, and the Childcare Grant.
If you are funded by the Student Finance EU Team, you will not receive any funding for the repeat year unless you can prove 'compelling personal reasons' for needing to repeat.
- Illness: If you suffered from an illness that affected your performance in the previous year, you can ask for repeat funding on these grounds.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy is considered a compelling personal reason and can be used to apply for an extra year of funding.
- Bereavement: Bereavement can also be a reason for applying for an extra year of funding.
- Other circumstances: Any other circumstances that may have affected your studies can be considered.
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Tuition fee loan eligibility
Tuition fee loans are paid directly to your university or college and you must repay them. The amount of loan you can get depends on your household income. Usually, you can only get student finance for your first degree or higher-education qualification, even if you studied a long time ago or if the course was abroad.
You could get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,535 if you're studying at an eligible university or college. If you're studying an accelerated degree course, you could get up to £11,440. For Foundation Years, you could get up to £5,760 or £9,535 depending on your course. If you're not sure if a course qualifies for student finance, check with the university or college.
You are normally entitled to funding for the standard length of your course plus one extra year, which is often referred to as a ''gift year'. The gift year can be used to fund a full or part-year repeat. During this time, you continue to be eligible for all the SFE loans and grants you usually receive. If you need to repeat a year of your course more than once or you've previously studied on a higher education course in the past, you may have used your gift year of funding already. Therefore, you will not be entitled to a Tuition Fee Loan for your repeat year, and you will have to pay your own tuition fees for that year.
You might be eligible for funding if you have to repeat a year or module on your course. If you had personal or medical problems that affected your performance and you have independent evidence of these, you can ask SFE for repeat funding on the grounds of 'compelling personal reasons' (CPR). If you are repeating the year because of compelling personal circumstances, such as illness, pregnancy, or bereavement, Student Finance England may, at their discretion, award an extra year of funding to you.
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Maintenance loans and grants
If you're a full-time undergraduate student repeating a year or module of your course, you may be eligible for funding from Student Finance England (SFE). SFE typically provides funding for the standard length of your course plus one extra year, often referred to as a "'gift year'". During this gift year, you remain eligible for all the usual SFE loans and grants.
If you need to repeat a year of your course more than once or if you've previously studied on a higher education course, you may have already used your gift year of funding. In this case, you will not be entitled to a Tuition Fee Loan for your repeat year, and you will have to self-fund your tuition fees. However, you will still be eligible for a maintenance loan and any applicable grants for dependants.
The amount of maintenance loan you receive depends on various factors, including the start date of your course, your living arrangements, household income, and whether you receive state benefits. You will usually receive your maintenance loan in three instalments directly into your bank account at the start of each term. It's important to keep your details up to date, as changes in your circumstances, such as household income or living arrangements, can impact your loan payments.
If you are repeating a year due to compelling personal circumstances (CPR), such as illness, pregnancy, or bereavement, you may be awarded an extra year of funding at SFE's discretion. You will need to provide evidence of your circumstances, such as a doctor's letter, and upload it to your student finance application.
It is recommended to contact SFE to discuss your individual circumstances and seek advice regarding funding for a repeat year.
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Frequently asked questions
Student finance will usually pay for a repeat year, but this may depend on your circumstances. If you are repeating due to compelling personal reasons, such as illness, pregnancy or bereavement, you may be awarded an extra year of funding.
You will need to provide evidence of your personal reasons for repeating a year. This could be in the form of a letter from a doctor or social worker, or a letter from your university confirming your situation. You should also include a cover letter with your Customer Reference Number (CRN) and an explanation of how your situation affected your studies.
If you cannot provide evidence for your current repeat year, you can use your "gift year" of funding. You are normally entitled to funding for the standard length of your course plus one extra year, known as the "gift year".
Yes, you will have to pay back any loans you get for your repeat year. The repayment plan you are on will determine when you start repaying and how much you repay.
Student Finance England does not award additional years of funding for repeat part-time study, even if the repeat was caused by compelling personal reasons. The Tuition Fee Loan is available for a maximum of 16 years of part-time study.
