Always Up-To-Date Student Loan Calendar: When Does Student Finance Come In?

Managing your money as a student can feel like a rollercoaster. One minute you’re living it large, treating yourself to nights out and takeaways, and the next you’re rationing pasta until you’re screaming “when will my student loan arrive!?” at your phone. Sound familiar? Well, you’re not alone! That’s why you need to know your student finance disbursement schedule—it’s the first step to budgeting effectively! 

We’ve all been there—blowing our budget as soon as payday hits. But without knowing your student finance payment date, it may be tricky to navigate the rest of your term. By keeping track of the key dates for your student loan, you can avoid financial stress, ensure you have enough money for essentials like rent and transport, and know exactly how much cash you’ve got left to splash each month.

We know how important it is to have up-to-date and reliable information, which is why this blog will be regularly updated with key dates in the wonderful world of student finance. So, you can check back anytime, knowing you’ll find relevant information to help you navigate student life with confidence!

When does student finance come in?

Your student loan payments tend to be disbursed in three instalments throughout the year, which usually aligns with the start of each university term:

• Payment one – September
• Payment two – January
• Payment three – April

Generally speaking, the UK student finance dates are similar in each region, but the exact dates and process can vary depending on where you live.

• Student Finance England – Payments typically arrive a few days before your course starts each term.
• Student Finance Wales – You can also expect this payment a few days before your course starts, but there are different maintenance grant options that are factored in.
• Student Awards Agency Scotland – Much to most students’ preference, the SAAS pay loans and bursaries on a monthly basis, rather than termly.
• Student Finance Northern Ireland – SFNI also pay student bursaries in three termly instalments. 

There’s no worse feeling than refreshing your bank app 100 times while waiting for your next loan to drop, so get to know when your student loan comes in! We’ve made it easy with an up-to-date table that lets you know when you can expect your payments. 

Student finance payment dates 

Term	Student Finance England & Wales	Student Finance Northern Ireland	Student Awards Agency Scotland
Term 1 (Autumn)	End of September 2024	End of September 2024	Monthly payments starting in September 2024
Term 2 (Winter)	Early January 2025	Early January 2025	Monthly payments starting in January 2025
Term 3 (Spring)	Mid/Late April 2025	Mid/Late April 2025	Monthly payments starting in April 2025

The exact date you get paid may be different to your mates, so log in to your student finance account to see your exact disbursement dates and take control of your finances!

What affects your student loan payment date?

If your payment is taking longer than expected, there’s no need to stress! There are several factors that could be causing this:

• When you applied – If you applied late, your first instalment is likely to take a little longer to process. 
• Bank processing times – Banks have different time scales to clear payments. It’s usually 1-3 business days, so it’s the luck of the draw! 
• Uni admin – Before your funds are released, your university has to confirm your enrollment, so be sure to register as early as possible.
• Changed courses or bank details? – It’s fine to have a change in heart, just be aware that updates on your application may slow things down.
• Course start dates – Your payment will depend on when your course starts. So, if it begins later in the term, so will your student loan payments. 
• Late enrollment – Missing your enrollment date affects more than just your uni options—it also has a knock-on effect on when your payment comes through, so stay ahead of the deadlines to minimise any stress!

What to do if your student loan is late

There’s no bigger disappointment than falling asleep expecting to receive a huge chunk of money in your bank account, only to wake up and find that you’ve not received your payment. If this has happened to you, there’s no need to panic. Here’s what you can do: 

1. Check your student finance account

Log in and see if your payment has been processed. If you’re greeted with the dreaded “awaiting confirmation” message, it probably means that your uni hasn’t confirmed your enrollment yet, so be sure to follow this up with the university’s finance or student support office!

2. Contact Student Finance

If your account seems to be in order but your bank account is still a bust, it’s time to call your student finance provider:

• Student Finance England – 0300 100 0607
• Student Finance Wales – 0300 200 4050
• Student Finance Northern Ireland – 0300 100 0077
• Student Awards Agency Scotland – 0300 555 0505

3. Check with your bank

As mentioned earlier on, banks can take a couple of days to clear your payments. So, before you go into full panic mode, give them a call and they’ll be able to tell you where they’re up to in the transaction.

How to budget until your student loan arrives

What’s worse than heartbreak, you ask? Realising your loan day is still miles away, and you’ll be living off instant noodles for the next month… Luckily, we’ve been there so you don’t have to! Here are our top tips for making your money work for you:

1. Create a budget planner—and stick to it! – Blowing half of your loan during Freshers’ Week might seem like a great idea at the time, but think of the future you! 
2. Make the most of student discounts – Whether it’s Totum, UNiDAYS or student beans, make the most of every penny with student discounts.
3. Try budgeting apps – With the help of Monzo, Revolut or Emma, you can set aside money for both essentials and treats!
4. Get a part-time job – If you’re finding that money is a stretch every term, there’s no harm in finding a part-time job! A few extra shifts can make a big difference.

Staying on top of your student loan payment dates makes your life that little bit easier. With no unexpected surprises or last-minute scrambles for rent money, you can enjoy the full uni experience without worrying about your finances. At Here! Students, we understand how stressful student finance can be. So if you’re looking for student accommodation that streams all of your bills into one all-inclusive payment, check out our residences and secure your place today!