My experience with student finance

Hi everyone, my name is Yulianna, and I have successfully completed my first academic year as a law student at the University of Northampton. This blog shares insight into my experience with student finance.

My Experience

The opportunity to study at the university was available to me due to the access to student finance. In the middle of Year 13, I had applied for student loan and got entitled to student loan that covered my first-year tuition fees and maximum maintenance loan which I distributed to cover accommodation rent expenses, groceries and food, bills, gym membership, phone fees, and other essentials. Overall, access to student finance enabled me to start my law degree and moreover, maintain my day-to-day expenses to live in Northampton and therefore be able to continue my studies.

My top tips for those who apply for student finance

• You do not need a separate application for maintenance loan – all is done automatically when you complete your student loan application.
• Keep an eye out for deadlines and apply as soon as possible to ensure there is extra time to amend your application, send out requested evidence etc.
• In advance, make sure to sort out all the documents you might need such as national insurance number, passport number, immigration status, P60, proof of address, etc.
• Speak to your parents/carers to make sure they can provide all the evidence of their incomes such as national insurance number or P60 and their ID.

When your application is approved, check your bank details carefully to make sure you have received the maintenance loan if you are entitled to it.

Also, do not forget to complete online enrolment at the start of each academic year as this is the evidence which the university sends out to Student Finance England to get funding for your place.

Don’t hesitate – apply early!

Overall, do not hesitate to apply for student finance to make sure you get it on time before the start of academic year. As for me, I cover all my day-to-day expenses with my maintenance loan, I still do manage to save up some money as a fallback for the future which is usually quite unstable for all graduates. I know with the condition of the cost-of-living crisis, it might be difficult to set aside money into savings, however it is reasonable to do so regardless of the amount.

Find out more about how UON can support you with your finances

Reach 0ut to the Finance Team

Yulianna Skakun

Yulianna is a Law student. She is a tutor of English and a musician, and in her spare time, she is keen on producing qualitative and aesthetic content to inspire and motivate others.