Full Time Undergraduate student finance applications are now open for the 2025/26 academic year.

This includes applications for new and continuing students. It also includes some postgraduate courses that are funded as undergraduate. If you are not sure what you should be applying for, check with us.

It is imperative to apply for your funding as soon as possible. It can take several weeks to process applications for funding, so the earlier you apply, the more chance there is of your funding being in place ready or the start of the academic year.

However, if for some reason you don’t applying straight away, you have up to 9 months from the start of the academic year in which to apply for funding – but we wouldn’t recommend leaving it that late!

If there are any doubts about where or what you plan to study, you can still complete the application for funding – it can be changed or cancelled later if necessary.

You can apply at gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance.

Once you have submitted your application, keep a check on your online SFE account, as there may be requests for further information. The longer you take to supply this, the longer your application will take to process.

You can find lots of useful information from SFE at: studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk

You can also get at ideas of SFE application and evidence processing times at: gov.uk/guidance/sfe-current-application-timescales. (This page will continue to update, throughout the year).

If you have any queries about applying for funding, please contact us upsu.com/advice

We can talk to you about eligibility for funding, signpost you to further guidance, and check any evidence/documents. However, we cannot assist with completion of SFE applications.

Once your finance is in place, please check your award to make sure all appears in order. If you have any concerns that things have not been assessed accurately, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can help you look into this.

*If you are funded by a different funding body, please check their information for guidance on application information and deadlines.

Access free financial advice at the SU:

As a University of Plymouth student, you have access to the University of Plymouth Students’ Union SU Advice team who are highly experienced and can offer free, impartial, and confidential financial advice to any student who needs it. 

This includes advice on budgeting, discounts, travel, healthcare, welfare benefits and childcare costs to help make sure you are getting the best value for money. 

SU Advice can also help you to navigate and understand Student Finance England (SFE), including your tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, and if you qualify for any bursaries or additional grants. 

Our SU Advice team are here to support all University of Plymouth students, whether they are a new student, returning student, postgraduate or international student: we are here to offer information and guidance to ensure you understand your outgoing fees and available financial support.

Get in touch by emailing advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk, by calling us on 01752 588373 (and leaving a voicemail if we cannot get to the phone), or by completing the online enquiry form here.