STUDENT FINANCE FOR MIGRANT WORKERS

 

The general rule for EU nationals is that they can only apply for a Maintenance Loan and any supplementary grants in the same way as a UK student (the same way that a UK student would apply for a Tuition Fee Loan) if they have lived in the UK for all five years prior to the start of their course. If you are enrolled in a course that starts in September 2019, for example, you need to have lived in the UK for the entire period of time between 1st September 2014 and 1st September 2019 if you want to be eligible for the course.

However, there is a way you can qualify for help towards your living costs even if you have not lived in the UK for 5 years before your course – this is by applying for student finance migrant worker (or as a relevant family member – e.g. child – of an EEA migrant worker).

Eligibility criteria for the student finance migrant workers

Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be considered:

• The candidate must be an EEA or Swiss national with a minimum of 3 years of residence in the EEA or Switzerland before the start of the course.
• As of the first day of your first academic year, you must be living in England in accordance with your course requirements.
• Looking into studying a course that is eligible for student finance as part of your studies
• Working in the UK as a self-employed person or as an employee
• During the course of your studies, you should work enough to be able to support yourself reasonably

What’s available?

If you are an undergraduate student enrolled in a full-time course at a university or college

It is possible to get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250 to help you with the cost of tuition fees charged by your university or college, as well as a Maintenance Loan to help you with living expenses such as rent and books when you attend college.

Furthermore, if you are disabled, or if there is a child or other adult who depends on your financial support, you may be entitled to extra help.

It is possible to study part-time if you are an undergraduate student

To cover the costs of tuition fees in your university or college, you may be eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £6,935 if you’re starting a part-time course on or after 1 August 2018. If you need help with living costs, such as rent and books, you may also be able to qualify for a Maintenance Loan.

Disability-related assistance is also available if you are in need of it.

When you are enrolled in a postgraduate course, you may be eligible for a scholarship

It is possible for you to apply for a loan of up to £11,222 to contribute towards living costs for postgraduate students studying a Master’s course at a postgraduate level.

There is an option to get a loan of up to £26,445 if you’re studying a postgraduate Doctoral course in order to contribute to the costs of your course and living during your studies.

In addition, if you are disabled, there is also extra help available to you.

How to apply for the student finance migrant workers

To make sure that you continue to receive student finance in the event that you become a migrant worker, you can apply for student finance online

A migrant worker who has previously been a student if they have previously been a resident, can apply for student finance online if they have previously been a resident while enrolled in the course they want to study.

As a migrant worker, this is the first time you are applying for a position

In the event that you are a migrant worker seeking student finance for the first time, you should use a PN1 form in order to apply for student finance.

In order to apply for Student Finance England, you will need to send your original passport or National Identity Card along with your application form along with your passport or National Identity Card. It will also be necessary to provide proof that you work in the UK together with your application in order to be considered.

 

If you’re employed

The following documents should be sent with your application:

• • The employment contract must contain the following information:
    • This document needs to be signed and dated by a manager or a member of your employer’s human resources department
    • Indicate the date on which your employment began
    • Indicate the number of hours that you have been contracted to work per week
  • A copy of your pay slips for the past three months
  • The most recent P60 form that you have received

If you’re self employed

The following documents should be sent as a copy:

• • The last three months’ invoices or accounts should be attached
  • The last three months’ bank statements should be submitted
  • The most recent tax return you have filed

If you’re an agency worker

You should send a copy of each of the following documents:

• • As part of your employment contract:
    • It must be signed and dated by your manager or by a representative of your employer’s human resources department
    • The date when you started your new job should be shown on your resume
    • Indicate how many hours per week you have been contracted to work
  • Last three months’ payslips for the period of the last three months are required
  • The latest P60 form that you have received from your employer

It is possible for the employer to refer to the first date of assignment instead of the first date of employment in your employment contract or letter from your employer.

If you’re the director of a company

The following documents should be included in your submission:

• • There are a few things that must be included in your employment contract, such as:
    • This form must be signed by your manager or the HR department of your employer and must be dated by that person
    • It is important to show the date on which your employment began
    • Indicate how many hours per week you are contracted to work
  • A copy of your last three month’s payslips
  • Ensure that you have your latest P60 to submit

When you are paid a salary by your company, you will be treated as an employee.

If you’re on a zero-hours contract

All of the following documents should be sent along with your request:

• • As part of your employment contract, you must provide the following information:
    • Ensure that you get your manager’s signature and that your employer’s HR department signs and dates your memo
    • It is important to display the date that you started working for the company
    • Indicate how many hours you have contracted for each week in your contract
  • Payslips for the past three months of work
  • The most recent version of your P60 should be attached

Additionally, Student Finance England may also request additional payslips in order to make sure that the information is accurate.

Where to send your application form and evidence

The application form and supporting documentation should be sent to the following address:

EEA Migrant Worker Team
PO BOX 89
Darlington
DL1 9AZ

Once you have received approval for your application,

For migrant workers to continue to be eligible for student finance during the course of their course, they must continue to be employed for the duration of their course. It is your responsibility to inform Student Finance England as soon as possible if you stop working or change your employment.

There will be an email from Student Finance England requesting you to provide evidence that you are still employed during the academic year.

As long as you are employed (including employment through an agency or employment on a zero-hours contract)

• The payslips that you have received during your studies should be kept as evidence of your employment during your studies.

You will no longer be able to get student finance if you change jobs, as you will have to continue to work enough to support yourself reasonably, or you will lose your right to apply for student finance as a migrant worker. You should keep your P45 and your contract of employment from your new job.

If you’re self employed

Your invoices and bank statements that prove that you are self-employed will be needed during your studies in order to prove that you are self-employed. Student Finance England may also ask to see the financial records of your business in the event that they request to see them.