When is the deadline for student finance for continuing students?

[Rollergirl11]

DD thought it was in May but she’s had an email from SFE saying that the deadline is approaching and she should apply today! She’s currently in Copenhagen and not back until Sunday. Has she got the dates wrong or are SFE scaremongering? I’ve looked online and UKgov website says May but is that for new students?

My DD did hers last week for second year and she is usually pretty organised, I expect the deadline is May and the email your DD got is just trying to be enthusiastically pressuring.

Apply by 31 May 2026 to guarantee funding on time.

That isn't the deadline for finance though - you can apply later - there's just no guarantee the money will be in in the first few weeks of September.

(Edited for an errant t on the end of no)

You can actually apply up to 9 months after the start of the academic year, but obviously you won't get any money in your account during that time.

I would do it as soon as possible to guarantee funds in time for the start of the new academic year.

Student Finance obviously encourage students to apply ASAP as they don't want everyone leaving it until the day before term starts as many students are prone to do with deadlines

My DD hasn’t applied yet either as we have been abroad. She goes back to uni in a week and will have done it by then. Not feeling any urgency to do it immediately.

I think they are just trying to stagger their workload by getting students already attending to apply earlier so they can focus upon new students by end of May.

She’ll definitely submit it early next week but the email made it sound like it had to be done yesterday!