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Student Finance - International

Before Coming to the UK

For information about scholarships and other funding before coming to the UK, please see the British Council leaflet, Sources of Funding for International Students.

EEA or Swiss nationals, or their family members, can find information here.

International Students Already in the UK

Prior Agreements

If you are in the UK with student immigration status, you will be aware that there are certain immigration rules which you had to meet to obtain a student visa or entry clearance to come to the UK and also to extend your stay in the UK as a student. You had to show the immigration authorities that you could pay for your tuition fees and living expenses (and those of any family with you here) without working in the UK and without claiming government benefits. This applies during all of your time in the UK.

Working in the UK

If you are in the UK in the immigration category of student, you will probably have a stamp in your passport which says, 'Work and any changes must be authorised'. This allows you to work 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during vacations.

See the UKCISA Information Sheet: Working During Your Studies. However, working must not be your only source of income. You still need to have other funding or sponsorship.

Circumstances change

Sometimes, however, students can have unforeseen financial problems after they have arrived in the UK. For example, a parent might have business problems in the home country, and may not be able to continue sponsoring their child’s studies in the UK. This can mean that, through no fault of their own, students find themselves without enough money to pay their tution fees and living costs. They need help to find enough money to continue to meet the UK immigration rules and to complete their course.

If you find yourself in financial difficulties during your course, the help that you can get will depend very much on:

  • the cause of your financial problem

  • how much money you need

  • how long you will need help for

  • what the money is needed for

The difficulties of finding help

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find new sponsorship or other financial help once you are in the UK. If the problem will be long-term, or if a very large amount of money is needed (for example, to pay university tuition fees), realistically, there is not much that can be done to help. You may have to consider returning home to look for new funding before you can return to UK to finish their studies.

Many institutions will allow students to defer for a year and return to their home country to work for a year or find new sponsorship. However, please note that taking a year out from your studies to work in the UK is not allowed under the immigration rules.

What Can I Do If I Have Money Worries?

If you are worrying about money problems, this can have a very negative effect on your studies. You should tell your institution that you are having difficulties. The first step is to explain your problem to your International Student Adviser, Academic Tutor, Welfare Officer or Student Union (whichever is available in your institution). They may be able to suggest ways of dealing with the problem and give you helpful information and advice. You can link to information about the the support available at your University – see under the Student Finance – Resources page.

It is important that you speak to an experienced adviser as early as possible, and especially before you try to obtain financial help yourself, as their advice could help you avoid wasting time trying unrealistic sources and from endangering your immigration status as a student.

Advisers do not have large amounts of money available to help students pay their tuition fees or rent. There may be an institutional Hardship Fund, but the amount of money students can receive is usually very low and limited to one payment per student.

If the financial hardship has been avoidable, for example, if you started the course knowing that you did not have enough money, or that the funds from home would not last, then there is probably nothing an adviser or anyone else can do. You may have to consider the possibility of returning home.

If, however, something unexpected has happened, particularly in the last few months of a course, then the adviser can discuss your situation with you and help you choose the best alternative out of a limited range of options.

Institutional Help

If you can't pay your tuition fees, you could ask the institution whether you could delay your payments or extend them over a longer period.

  • It's very important to keep the institution informed, from the very beginning, of your difficulties, and to try to negotiate a way round the problem.

  • Do not ignore fee invoices: discuss them.

  • In addition, there may be a student union or institutional hardship fund which could offer short-term help. Be sure to ask.

  • Many private charities will not consider an application from you if you have not asked your institution first.

  • A concession on fees or another positive commitment from your institution will also greatly improve your chances of receiving financial help from a trust or charity.

Private Trusts & Charities

There are some private trusts or charities that can deal with student financial hardship, but they can usually only offer small amounts of money (between £200 and £500).

  • Most will only consider students in the final few months of study. Your student adviser (see the sources of university information on the Student Finance – Resources Page) may know of local trusts or charities that you could approach, and may also be willing to help you with procedures and application forms.
     
  • Trusts and charities will usually expect you to have explored all other funding possibilities before writing to them. Your student adviser may be able to help you fill in application forms or write letters.

  • Trusts and charities receive a huge number of applications for help - more than they could possibly fund - and applications that are incorrectly completed or give inadequate information are more likely to be rejected.

  • When writing an application letter to a trust or a charity, be brief but be sure to include the following information:

      1. Your name, age, gender, nationality, institution, level and subject of study.

      2. Why your financial problems happened.

      3. Details of your income, spending and debts and why you are asking for money.

      4. A list of applications you have made to other sources, including your institution.

      5. The percentage of your total financial needs that the money requested in this application represents.

      6. An academic reference, indicating your previous performance and your potential.

Debt Counselling

Your University's adviser or your local Citizens Advice Bureau might be able to advise you on how to manage your spending and debts more effectively. They can look with you at the money you have coming in and what you need to pay out, and help you to work out a realistic budget for your current income.

Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau or, in Scotland, or use your local telephone directory. Their advice is free of charge.

  • Welfare Benefits: See the UKCISA Information Sheet Welfare Benefits for information about welfare benefits and what 'No recourse to public funds' means.

  • Support from your Local Education Authority: See the relevant UKCISA Information Sheet about Student Support.

Is there anything else I can do?

If you think your Embassy or High Commission can help, then do contact them.

You should also contact anyone else you think may help, but only after speaking to an adviser about it. Without proper advice you may find yourself spending all your time and energy chasing resources from organisations who cannot help with your particular problem.

Is there anything else I should not do?

Yes! Do not write to the Home Office and ask to study part-time because you have run out of money.

If the Home Office believes that you do not have enough money to support yourself and your family, you could be refused permission to stay in the UK.

Websites

Organisations

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) 020 7107 9922

Please note that they do not make the rules on fees,immigration and other legislation, but give advice on them. Their Advice Line is open from Monday to Friday 13:00 - 16:00 hours (UK time). Advice is only available by telephone, not on a drop-in basis or by email:

Outside the UK: +44 20 7107 9922

The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) 020 7254 6251

EGAS has an online database of grants you can find by going to Grants and Information at www.family-action.org.uk. The organisation can help international students who are coming to the end of their studies. Its website has useful information about applying for grants and who is most likely to be able to find funding.

501-505 Kingsland Road
London E8 4AU.
Telephone helpline operates 1400 - 1600 Tues, Wed, Thurs

See also the Student Finances – Resources page for more links