• Getting your student maintenance loans paid on time

    If you haven’t received your Student Maintenance Loan / Grant yet, please read through the topics below:

  • Perhaps your loan application hasn't been completely processed yet - did you miss the Student Loans Company (Student Finance) application deadline?

    • New students: if you missed the deadline e.g. you applied when you were offered a place through Clearing, your loan’s going to be delayed.

    Remember that your loan won't be released to enrolled students by the SLC until the first day of the semester.

    This will be stated on your loan award letter. You can check this either

    (a) via your Student Loans Company (SLC) (Student Finance) portal which will have details of the loan payment dates, or

    (b) by calling the Student Loans Company (see section 7). When phoning please have your Customer Reference Number and password to hand.

    If you have applied on time for the SLC (Student Finance) application deadline, you should get your first student maintenance loan instalment within 5 working days of completing your enrolment at Oxford Brookes – see (3) below.

    If you want to make sure your SLC (Student Finance) application is correct, do contact the Brookes Union Advice Service - located in the John Henry Brookes building, Headington campus.

    • New students: You need to enrol online before you get your first payment.
    • Continuers also need to re-enrol online every year.

    If you need help, contact your Student Support Co-ordinator or visit Student Central

    If you’ve applied for a Tuition Fee loan then the SLC (Student Finance) will pay your tuition fees direct to the University after the loan is approved and when you've started studying.

    If there's a delay in your loan application being approved, you should contact Brookes Student Finance:

    Email: credit-control@brookes.ac.uk

    Tel:       01865 483940 

    The SLC (Student Finance) will pay your maintenance loan direct to you. This is for living costs including rent.

    If you’re living in University-managed Halls and the delay in your funding means that you can’t pay the first instalment of your accommodation, you need to contact Brookes Student Finance at finance-halls@brookes.ac.uk or on 01865 483866.

    If you’re living in accommodation managed by an external provider – a partnership Hall or private landlord/letting agent – you should speak to the provider to explain the funding delay and reach an arrangement about delaying payment until you've received your loan.

    Remember that the maintenance loan, which pays for day-to-day living expenses like rent, bills, food and books, is based on your household income. It’s likely that you, your parents, family or partner have to submit evidence to verify this. If the evidence isn’t submitted, you’ll only get the minimum maintenance loan. If you’re late submitting evidence, it will cause delays.

    Check your application status via your SLC (Student Finance) portal or call the SLC (Student Finance) to see if there’s a problem. Phone numbers are below (section 7). You’ll need your Customer Reference number and password to hand.

    If you do need to call the SLC (Student Finance) to sort your situation out, these are the numbers. It can be difficult to get through due to the high volume of calls in September/October. Try early morning or later in the day to increase your chances.

    • Student Finance England: 0300 100 0607
      Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm; Saturday – Sunday 9am – 4pm
    • Student Finance Northern Ireland: 0300 100 0077
      Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm
    • SAAS (Scotland): 0300 555 0505
      Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 5pm; Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
    • Student Finance Wales: 0300 200 4050
      Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm

    When dealing with your loan application, please remember:

    • Phone calls:  keep a log of all phone calls take a note of the date, time and who you spoke to.
    • Documents:  keep a copy of any documents you send to the SLC (Student Finance): use recorded or registered post and keep the receipt safe.You can check receipt via your SLC (Student Finance) portal and viewing the ‘Evidence Screen’.

    At busy times, it can take up to 6 weeks for the SLC (Student Finance) to reassess your application.

    If, after taking the above steps, you’ve still not been able to resolve any problem, you can contact the Brookes Union Advice Service, who are based in the basement of the main John Henry Brookes building at Headington. With your permission, they can talk to the Student Loans Company (Student Finance) on your behalf.
    • If you haven’t got a student bank account, consider opening one as they usually offer an interest free overdraft

  • 10.  And finally...

    Remember to ask for help if you need it!   There are lots of people at University who can advise you: