Eligibility Guides

Student finance answers for people already living in the UK.

Plain-English guides for visa holders and returning students who need to know whether Student Finance England may fund their course. Every guide is written around the actual eligibility route, not guesswork.

Spouse / Partner Visa

Can you get student finance on a spouse visa?

Many people are told they need ILR first. The real answer may depend on whether your partner is settled and whether you have 3 years' UK residence.

Read the guide
No Recourse to Public Funds

Can you get student finance with NRPF?

NRPF is not an automatic refusal. The real answer depends on your SFE residence category—and whether it gives tuition only or full support.

Read the guide
Pre-Settled Status

Pre-settled status and student finance

The common trap is tuition-only support versus full maintenance support if the worker route applies.

Read the guide
Settled Status / ILR

Settled status, ILR and student finance

Being personally settled can unlock tuition and maintenance after the 3-year residence test.

Read the guide
Refugee Status

Refugee status and student finance

Recognised refugees have a special residence route that does not use the standard 3-year wait.

Read the guide
Humanitarian Protection

Humanitarian protection and student finance

Full support may be available, but the 3-year ordinary-residence rule normally applies.

Read the guide
EEA / Swiss Worker

Migrant worker student finance

Work can unlock full support when EUSS status, residence and evidence meet the category.

Read the guide
Family of a Worker

If your partner or parent works in the UK

Eligibility may flow through a worker, but both statuses, the relationship and work evidence matter.

Read the guide
EU Maintenance

Maintenance Loan for EU students

Pre-settled status alone is tuition-only. Work — yours or a family member's — can unlock living costs.

Read the guide
Dependant Visa

Student finance on a dependant visa

A dependant visa is not an SFE category. The honest answer, and exactly what changes it.

Read the guide
BN(O) Visa

BN(O) visa and student finance

Permission to study is not automatic SFE eligibility. Settlement timing and other routes decide the answer.

Read the guide
Funding Comparison

Maintenance loans by immigration status

Compare full-support, tuition-only and non-automatic routes before planning your course costs.

Compare the routes
Returning Students

Going back to university after dropping out

Previous study does not always mean your funding is gone. The gift-year and CPR rules matter.

Read the guide

Not sure which rule applies to you?

You do not need to diagnose your own case. Tell us your situation and we will give you a straight answer. If your route looks promising, we can also talk through partner university options and help with enrolment and the SFE application if you choose to go ahead.

Start a free eligibility and study options check