EU Nationals and Student Finance in England

The following statement applies to EU nationals who are currently in receipt of student loans from the Student Finance England (SFE), and to EU nationals who intend to begin studying from this autumn, and to EU nationals applying to study from autumn 2017.

Existing students

EU nationals or their family members, currently in higher or further education, and who are eligible to receive loans and/or grants from SFE will continue to receive these loans and grants until they finish their course. This applies to all student finance provided to eligible EU students by SFE. This includes loans to cover tuition fees (for those resident in the EEA for at least three years), loans and grants for maintenance (for those resident in the UK for at least three years or who are EEA migrant workers), and some other grants and allowances. These students are also entitled to home fee status.

Students beginning study in the 2016/17 Academic Year

The rules applying to EU nationals, or their family members, who have applied to study a course which started or starts in the 2016/17 Academic Year and which attracts student support, are unchanged. The SFE will assess these applications against existing eligibility criteria, and will provide loans and/or grants in the normal way. EU nationals, or their family members,  who are assessed as eligible to receive grants and/or loans from the SFE in the 2016/17 Academic Year will be eligible for this support and for home fee status for the duration of their study. The eligibility criteria set out that for students beginning study from August 2016, EU nationals must have been resident in the UK for at least five years or be EEA migrant workers in order to apply for a maintenance loan.

Students beginning study in the 2017/18 Academic Year

The rules applying to EU nationals, or their family members, who are applying to study a course which starts in the 2017/18 Academic Year and which attracts student support, are also unchanged.  The SFE will assess these applications against existing eligibility criteria, and will provide loans and/or grants in the normal way. EU nationals, or their family members, who are assessed as eligible to receive grants and/or loans by the SFE in the 2017/18 Academic Year will be eligible for this support and for home fee status for the duration of their study.  These eligibility criteria set out that for students beginning study from August 2017, EU nationals must have been resident in the UK for at least five years or be EEA migrant workers in order to apply for a maintenance loan.

Students should consult their institution’s student finance office, or the GOV.UK website, for information on what support they may be able to receive.