﻿ Clearing: Make sure your finances are in order!
Going through Clearing? Make sure your finances are in order!
With A-levels results being announced on Thursday and Scottish Highers results already out, it’s time to make sure your finances are in order in time for the start of term in September.
If you have already applied for a loan but have decided to go through the Clearing process, then you’re application details will need to be changed. If you’re funded by Student Finance England, this can be done easily and quickly at www.gov.uk/studentfinance by logging into your student account, or by contacting the relevant funder if you live elsewhere.
Applying to university through Clearing but haven’t applied for a loan yet?
Unfortunately, the official deadlines for student finance applications have past. But all is not lost! You can still apply for finance but please be aware that the funding body may not be able to process your application in time for the beginning of your course.
Whatever happens, the funding body will make sure you have some money as close to the beginning of your course as possible. They’ll do this by initially assessing how much money you would be entitled to without taking household income into account. Once they’ve got all the application details they need they’ll complete the assessment in full.
Don’t forget to sign and return the declaration you receive from your funding body or you won’t receive any payments at the start of term!
Your finances will be put into your account within three working days of you registering with your university or college. Unfortunately, you won’t get any money before the course starts.
Please remember that the maintenance and any grants you may be getting are paid straight into your account, but any loans or grants for student fees will be going straight to the university or college.
NUS Vice President (Welfare) Colum McGuire explains going through Clearing could mean you miss out on the best student accommodation, but you can still have the best student experience.
Which type of accommodation is right for you?
The type of accommodation you live in when you're studying makes a difference to the student experience you will have. Be ready to research the choices available to pick the right one for you.
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