• Apply online: All students (new or renewal) will be able to apply online from March 2008. Parents, partners, spouses of a student, who are required to provide their financial details in support of a student's application will also be able to do so online from March 2008.

• Paper application forms for new students: If you are a new student and would prefer to apply using a paper form, these will be available from March 2008. If you are currently in Further Education (FE) forms will be available at your college.

• If you will be a second year student in 2008/09: You will be sent a letter during March inviting renewal application online. If you would prefer to apply using a paper form, the letter will explain how to get one.

• If you will be a third or fourth year student in 2008/09 who applied for non-means tested support in 2007/08: You will be sent a letter during February/March inviting you to complete your renewal application online. If you would prefer to apply using a paper form, the letter will explain how to get one.

• If you will be a third or fourth year student in 2008/09 who provided full financial details for means tested support in 2007/08: Paper application forms will be sent to your home address during February/March 2008. If you prefer to apply online an application form will be available during March 2008.

Applying online or on a paper form: We ask that you get your application to us as soon as possible. This will allow us plenty of time to process your application and make sure that your first loan or grant instalment can be made at the start of the autumn term. In any case, make sure your application reaches us by the following dates:

• 25 April 2008 - if you are a new or renewal student applying for non-means tested support only

• 23 May 2008 - if you are a renewal student applying for income assessed support

• 27 June 2008 - if you are a new student applying for income assessed support.

Who is eligible for student support?

Applications for student support are considered under the Education (Student Support) Regulations.

The Regulations are reviewed each year and are laid down by statute. The Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) sets the Regulations.

Under the Regulations, as a new student, in order to be eligible for student support you must:

• Satisfy residence requirements.

• Study a ‘designated’ course.

• Complete an application and provide all necessary supporting evidence.

Satisfy residence requirements

On the first day of the first academic year of your course you must:

• have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period preceding that date, other than wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education

• be ordinarily resident in England and Wales

• be settled in the United Kingdom under the terms of the Immigration Act 1971. In other words ordinarily resident here without being subject to any restriction on the period for which you may stay.

If you are a European Union (EU) national or a child of an EU national, see information below.

Study a designated course

• Study a course which is designated for funding under the Education (Student Support) Regulations. Normally this will be courses offered by maintained universities in the UK. However, some private establishments also offer courses that are designated.

Complete an application form and provide all necessary supporting evidence

• You must do this, even if you do not intend to take out a maintenance or tuition loan. You must send proof of identity eg your original birth certificate or passport with your application.

EU students

If you are an EU national or a child of an EU national, you may get support for your tuition fees on a similar basis to UK students. If you are an EU student, and applying through UCAS, they will send you an application form for help with tuition fees when you are offered a place on a course. If you do not apply through UCAS, you will be able to get an application form from the EU Team at:

Department for Education and Skills
European Team
Mowden Hall
Staindrop Road
Darlington
Co Durham
DL3 9BG

email: EU Team

Phone: 01325 391199

You should send the filled-in form direct to the above address. As an EU student you will not be eligible for a student loan, other grants, and the Access to Learning Fund.