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Tel: 01522-552222 | Contact the County Council

Student Funding for Higher Education

Important news for prospective new students

The new Student Finance England Service launched in February 2009 for students wanting to enter higher education from 2009/10 and beyond. The new service is delivered on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS) by the Student Loans Company (SLC).

This new centralised service provides customers with information and advice on the student finance available to support them in their studies and then help them through the application, assessment and repayment processes using a 'one stop shop' approach.

The Local Authority is not responsible for receiving and processing applications from Lincolnshire students entering higher education from September 2009 onwards. The Local Authority is unable to offer help or advice in respect of new students.

Applications to the new Student Finance England Service:

• Students can apply online for their financial support for higher education via Student Finance England from February 2009 onwards
• Students can register via www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance 
• Students can telephone the new service on 0845 300 5090

For Continuing Students (pre 2009 entry)

The Local Authority continues to receive and process applications for students who started a course of higher education prior to September 2009. These students should continue to apply for funding to the Local Authority who manages their application. Renewal application forms will be sent out automatically to the relevant students by Student Finance England (previously known as Student Finance Direct)  on behalf of the Local Authority. Applications will be assessed and passed to Student Finance England for administration and payment in the usual way.

The Local Authority will continue to handle enquiries from continuing students and their sponsors on the application and assessment processes. All queries relating to the administration of loans will be handled by Student Finance England. These arrangements will continue for pre-September 2009 entry students until completion of their course of higher education unless their course of study is not completed by 31 March 2011, in which case these students will transfer to the new centralised service when the Local Authority's responsibility comes to an end on 31 March 2011. This will affect continuing students studying for four or more years.

Continuing students can contact the Lincolnshire Student Support Team during office hours using the contact details supplied on this page.

Alternatively the Student Finance England Customer Support Office can be contacted on  08456 077577  Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm. Students should ensure that they have their ART ID/ Customer Reference number available and relevant password information supplied by Student Finance England.

Last Updated: 30 December 2009