Student Loans

Need help accessing your student loan? Whether you’re a new student, coming back for another year, or starting postgrad study, here's the information that you need.

Payment information
A person sat on the floor surrounded by papers and a laptop, using a calculator.

Payment Information

Your Student Finance payments will be released after your course begins and you’ve completed the online enrolment process — so make sure that’s all sorted to avoid any delays!

Complete Enrolment

When can I expect my payment?

Once the University confirms your registration with the Student Loans Company, you should get your payment within 4 to 6 working days — though this can vary slightly depending on your bank.

Just to note, your Student Finance application needs to be approved before we can confirm your registration.

New Students

Before we can confirm your registration with the Student Finance Company, new students must also log into Blackboard for the first time once you have completed the online enrolment process.

Blackboard provides access to the Learner Development Service and Maths support modules as well as course information for the majority of students.

This will trigger a notification advising us that you are engaging with USW and will allow us to confirm your registration with the Student Loans Company.

Returning Students

You are only required to be enrolled on your course for the registration confirmation to be sent for your student loans. 

If your application for a loan has been approved at least four working days before the start date of your course then you should receive the loan in your bank account on the first day of your course.

If your application for a loan has not been approved before this it will take three to five working days after confirmation has been sent for you to receive your loan.

Joining through Clearing or Insurance choice

Once you have completed the online enrolment process,

If you've already applied for funding:

But have changed your course or university, you need to update your details with the Student Finance team as soon as possible. You can do this by logging onto your Student Finance account and update your course or university information, you can only do this before term starts. If you have difficulty doing this or it is after term has started, please contact the University of South Wales Student Records team via the Advice Zone. Please include your Student Finance Student Support Number (SSN) if known.

If you haven't applied for funding:

In addition to enrolling online, you need to apply now to give yourself the best possible chance of receiving your first payment in time for starting your course. You can apply for funding via Student Finance Wales, Student Finance England, Student Finance Scotland or Student Finance Northern Ireland.

Postgraduate Funding and RPL/APL credits

You will not be eligible for postgraduate funding if:

  • You have Prior Learning (RPL) or Accredited Prior Learning (APL) credits,
  • You have a lower level qualification and want to top up to a Masters degree
  • You are eligible for an NHS bursary
  • You are in receipt of Research Council Funding e.g an allowance, bursary or an award

For the Master’s loan you need to be enrolled on 180 credits before the university can confirm your registration with student finance.

Also, please be aware that if during the application stage or after enrolling your student finance application is found to be ineligible, we are required to inform the SLC and your student funding will be withdrawn.

Please note if you are enrolled on a different mode of study (e.g. FT or PT) to your approved Postgraduate Masters loan application, we will have to update the Student Loans Company with this information before we can confirm your registration, which can take up to a further five to ten working days.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve gathered answers to the questions students ask most often, so you can feel confident that you know everything that you need to know about your money.

If your student loan hasn’t arrived yet, don’t worry! Before getting in touch with the Advice Zone Online, take a look at the Student Finance Flowchart which will help you figure out if there’s anything else you need to do to get your payment released.

If you need additional help and support, please contact the Advice Zone Online.

While many universities across the UK will have the same student finance payment dates, there will be discrepancies between some and also depend on your personal circumstances (for example, bank delays or wrong bank info).

To ensure you’re prepared for the student finance dates, make sure to check your personal payment schedule with Student Finance. Follow these steps

  • Head to the Student Finance login on the Goverment website and sign into your account.
  • Click ‘Undergraduate student finance applications’.
  • Select the relevant application you need.
  • Click ‘view your payments’ (below ‘manage your student finance’).

Checking details
We’re checking your National Insurance number before we can pay you. If you haven’t done so already, enter your National Insurance number by heading to ‘Your actions to complete’.

Scheduled
Your student finance payments have been scheduled. Before we’re able to pay you, your university needs to confirm to us (student finance) that you’ve enrolled/registered with them. This is done when you start your course.

Awaiting confirmation
We’re waiting for your university to tell us that you’ve enrolled/registered.

Ready to be paid
There’s nothing for you to do but wait. Your payment will be made on the date shown.

Payment in progress
Your student finance payment is on its way. It may take up to three working days to appear in your bank account though.

Paid
Yay! We’ve made a payment into your bank account — go check!

Blocked
We can’t pay you. You should already know this but if not, contact us.

Cancelled
We have cancelled your payment. You should know about this but if not, contact us.

Failed
Your payment has been returned to us. Check ‘your personal details’ on your account to check your bank details are correct

COST OF LIVING SUPPORT

We understand the rising cost of living will impact students in unique ways, so we’re here to help. From financial support and advice to general welfare support, we want to make sure nothing impacts your studies, student experience, mental health and general wellbeing.

Cost of Living Support

Preparing for Student Life
Common University Myths
Campus Maps
What to expect