This post first published: 23 March 2026
Here's everything you need to help students apply on time and access the support they're entitled to.
Key dates
- Applications are open now for September 2026 starters
- Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) applications take up to 14 weeks
- Students starting courses from January 2027 onwards will apply for the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). Applications for LLE are expected to open in September 2026. Find out more about LLE (opens in a new tab).
Encourage early applications
SFE process over one million applications each year. Students should apply early to ensure funding is in place before their course begins. Remind students that they don't need a confirmed university or college place to apply – they can use their preferred choice and update course details later if needed.
If a student decides not to go to uni or college, they can cancel their application online at any time.
What students need to apply
New students should create an online account and have the following ready:
- Passport details
- Bank details
- National Insurance number
Continuing students can log into their existing account to reapply.
Extra help
Students applying for extra help such as Childcare Grant (opens in a new tab), Parents' Learning Allowance (opens in a new tab) or Adult Dependents’ Grant (opens in a new tab) may face longer processing times. Encourage them to submit applications and any supporting documents as soon as possible.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) (opens in a new tab) is assessed separately from main funding applications, so applying for DSA won't delay their main student finance. However, it can take up to 14 weeks to process a DSA application, so it’s important to apply early.
Useful resources to share with students
Before applying, students can check:
- our guide to understanding Student Finance England (opens in a new tab)
- what student finance is available (opens in a new tab)
- if they're eligible for student finance (opens in a new tab)
- how much they could get (opens in a new tab)
You should also share the cost of living and student finance support guidance (opens in a new tab) to help students maximise their entitlement and access additional support during their studies.
Stay connected
Student Finance England will be promoting the applications opening on social media. Follow them for updates:
