Student Finance: University Change Timeline And Process Explained

If you need to change your university or course choice on your student finance application, you can do so by updating your application via your online account. The time it takes to process these changes varies, with some students reporting waiting times of 20 working days, while others have stated that it took just a day or two. It is recommended that you make these changes as soon as possible, as it could affect your funding. Applications can take at least six weeks to be processed, so you may not receive your funding before the start of your course.

University Change Timeline

Before your course starts

If you need to change your university or college, you can do so before your course starts by logging into your online account and updating your details. You can change your course, university or college, the amount of loan you're applying for, and your personal details and living situation.

Within the first few days of updating your details

Once you've updated your details, Student Finance England will re-assess your application and contact you if there are any changes to the amount you'll get.

Within 6 weeks of updating your details

Applications can take at least 6 weeks to be processed, so you might not get all your money straight away. However, Student Finance England will try to give you some initial funding as close to the start of your course as possible.

Within 18-29 working days of updating your details

According to a Student Finance England employee, processing timescales for Change of Circumstances (CoC's) are currently taking 18 working days. Another employee states that changes made via your online account are taking 20 working days to process, while another says that changes will appear on your online account after 29 working days.

Finance Application Amendments

If you need to make changes to your student finance application, you can do so by updating your application via your online account. Changes can be made to your course, university or college, the amount of loan you're applying for, your personal details, and where you'll be living.

It's important to note that you should inform Student Finance England of any changes as soon as possible, as it could affect your funding. The processing time for changes can vary, with some students reporting waiting times of up to 29 working days. However, others have reported that it only took a day or two for their application to update after making changes.

Steps to Change Your Application

If you're from England and studying full-time, you can change your application by following these steps:

• Sign in to your online account.
• Click 'Undergraduate student finance applications'.
• Select the application you wish to change.
• Under 'Manage your student finance', click 'View and manage your applications'.
• Click 'Change your application' and then click again.
• Click 'University/college and course'.
• Click 'Submit' once you've entered and confirmed your changes.

Student Finance England will then re-assess your application and contact you if there are any changes to the amount you'll receive.

Part-time Students and Students from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man

If you are a part-time student or from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, you will need to update your details through your local government or education authority. You may also need to complete a change of circumstance form, which can be submitted online or by post.

Impact on Loans/Grants

If you need to change your university or course, you can do so by updating your student finance application. This can be done by logging into your online account and clicking on "Change your application". You will then need to select the application you wish to change and click on "University/college and course". It is important to make these changes as soon as possible, as they could affect your funding.

The time it takes to process a change of university or course can vary. Some sources indicate that it can take up to 6 weeks, while others suggest that it usually takes around 18-29 working days. In some cases, it may only take a day or two for the changes to be reflected in your student finance account.

If you are from England and studying full-time, you can update your student finance application by following these steps:

• Sign in to your online account
• Click on 'Undergraduate student finance applications'
• Select the application you wish to change
• Under 'Manage your student finance', click on 'View and manage your applications'
• Click on 'Change your application' and then click again
• Click on 'University/college and course'
• Click 'Submit' once you have entered and confirmed your changes

Student Finance England will then re-assess your application and let you know of any changes to the amount of student finance you will receive.

If you are from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, you will need to update your details through your local government or education authority. If you are a part-time student or from the EU, you will need to complete a change of circumstance form, which can be submitted online or by post.

It is important to note that if you change your course or university, your funding may be affected. Student Finance England will reassess your application and inform you of any changes to the amount you will receive. Additionally, if you change your living situation, such as moving away from home or vice versa, you will need to update this on your application as it can also impact your funding.

University Communication

Dear [Recipient],

We are writing to inform you about the process of changing your university details with Student Finance and how long this typically takes. It is important to note that any changes to your student finance application are separate from updating your UCAS application.

If you are an English student studying full-time, you can update your university details by following these steps:

• Sign in to your online account
• Click 'Undergraduate student finance applications'
• Select the application you wish to change
• Under 'Manage your student finance', click 'View and manage your applications'
• Click 'Change your application', and then click again
• Click 'University/college and course'
• Click 'Submit' once you have entered and confirmed your changes

Student Finance England will then re-assess your application, and this typically takes up to six weeks to process. During busy periods, such as Clearing, processing times can take up to 18-29 working days. Therefore, it is important to update your details as soon as possible to ensure you receive your funding on time.

If you are from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, you will need to update your details through your local government or education authority. Part-time students or students from the EU will need to complete a change of circumstance form, which can be submitted online or by post.

Please note that any changes to your course or university should also be communicated to your university or college so they can inform Student Finance.

Kind regards,

[University Name]

Student Finance Customer Support

If you need to update your student finance to reflect a change of university, you can do so by following these steps:

Before the start of your course

• Sign in to your online account.
• Click 'Undergraduate student finance applications'.
• Select the application you wish to change.
• Under the heading 'Manage your student finance', click 'View and manage your applications'.
• Click 'Change your application' and then click again.
• Click 'University/college and course'.
• Click 'Submit' once you’ve entered and confirmed your changes.

Alternatively, if you haven't applied for a student loan yet, you can do so by entering your first choice of university. If you decide to change your university, you can update your application as outlined above. The application process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

It's important to note that applications take at least six weeks to be processed, so you may not receive your funding before the start of your course. However, Student Finance England will endeavour to provide you with some initial funding as close to the commencement of your course as possible.

After the start of your course

You can use your online account to change your personal details, but if there are any changes to your course, you should contact Student Finance England and inform your university or college so they can notify Student Finance England as well. If a change to your details results in an overpayment, you will be required to repay any money you are not entitled to, and the repayment threshold may not apply.

If you have any questions about the process, the Student Finance England team is available online Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm. You can also reach out to them on Twitter (@SF_England) or Facebook (facebook.com/SFEngland).

Frequently asked questions