Levitate Student: Deadlines Money B's

Twitter was abuzz with the word "deadline" last week in relation to student finance applications.

There were that many dates being tweeted our headz were in a spin!!

So here are 5 Deadline Money B's to help.....

Be the first to apply 

We blogged this before and if you didn't listen - grr why not?! 

Really, the earlier you apply for funding the better. This gives the funder time to process your application and you and your sponsors time to supply all the required evidence and time to challenge any decisions you may not satisfied with.

The funders use the deadline as a last day in their view that a completed application can reach them and still hope to be processed in time for the start of the academic year.

The truth is that some of these advertised deadlines are soft deadlines - by which we mean they are not the last day applications will be accepted. In fact applications can be accepted by up to 9 months or 6 months after the academic year begins (usually taken as 1st September for autumn starters). Always check these deadlines yourself with the applicable funder - Be safe not sorry

So don't worry just apply as soon as possible, but if the deadline has passed do be prepared for your funding to be late.

Be aware of the different funder deadlines

This table may help but always check the relevant funder websites and literature yourself.

Funder	New Students starting Autumn 2016 Application Deadline	Continuing Students in Autumn 2016 Application Deadline
Student Finance England	27th May 2016	24th June 2016
Student Finance Northern Ireland	15th April 2016	30th June 2016
Student Finance Wales	13th May 2016	10th June 2016
Student Awards Agency Scotland	30th June 2016	30th June 2016
Student Awards Agency Scotland – Nursing and Midwifery	30th June 2016	30th June 2016
For all the above funders	(absolute deadline 9 months from the start of the academic year)
NHS Business Authority – NHS Courses - not dentistry/medicine	19th August 2016 (absolute deadline 6th months from start of academic year)	Depends see table
NHS Business Authority – dentistry & medicine	29th July 2016 (absolute deadline  6th months from start of academic year)	Depends see table
NHS Business Authority – Social Work	1st November 2016 (absolute deadline applications received after this date are rejected)	1st November 2016 (absolute deadline applications received after this date are rejected)

Be ready to seek advice 

Always seek advice if you are struggling in any way with your student finance application. Most Universities and colleges have advice services themselves and or Student Union Advice services. Don't be afraid to contact them for help pre-entry if you are finding the application process challenging and can not easily resolve the matter by contacting the funder yourself.

It's a good idea to become familiar with the higher education institution's website to know what support services they offer and where they are located and how to contact them when and if required.

Bursaries and other support

The university or college of your choice may have bursaries or scholarships for which you could apply pre-entry. If this is the case they will no doubt provide details on their websites or in their Office for Fair Access Agreements . It is likely that these also include application deadlines, so don't delay, check them out and apply if you think you may be eligible.