Schools and learning

Information for students not resident in the UK 2008/2009

One of the requirements that has to be met in order to qualify for student support is that you must have been 'ordinarily resident' in the British Islands for the 3 years immediately before the start of the academic year in which the course begins. Additionally, you must be 'ordinarily resident' in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland on the first day of the academic year in which your course starts.

On this date, you must also usually have settled status - which means that you must be settled in the UK within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971. In other words, ordinarily resident here without being subject under the immigration laws to any restriction on the period for which you may stay.

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE ABROAD

If you were away from this country because you or your family were temporarily employed abroad, you may be treated as if your 'ordinary residence' in the British Islands had not been interrupted. If you are living here mainly to receive full time education and you would normally have lived elsewhere, you will not usually be treated as having been 'ordinarily resident' in the British Islands.

OTHER EXCEPTIONS

If you do not meet the rules for 'ordinary residence' in the British Islands, and your course is eligible you may still be able to get support towards your tuition fees (and a student loan) if either you, your husband or wife or your parents are:

• UK nationals who have returned from work in another member country of the European Economic Area (EEA) and have got a job in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for three years prior to the first day of the first academic year of the course, or
  
• From another EEA country, if you can show that you, your husband or wife, or either of your parents have 'migrant worker' status and you have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for the three years prior to the first day of the first academic year of your course, or
  
• You are recognised by the British Government as a refugee.

HUMANITARIAN PROTECTION (HP) OR DISCRETIONARY LEAVE (DL)

If you have been granted HP or DL to enter or stay in the UK by the Home Office, you must meet the three year ordinary residence requirement in this country. However, the settled status requirement will not apply to you.


ASYLUM SEEKERS

If you are an asylum seeker in the UK, you will not normally be eligible for support towards your fees until you have been granted 'settled status' by the Home Office and meet the three year ordinary residence requirement.


EUROPEAN UNION NATIONALS

If you are a national of a European Union country you may get support for your tuition fees on a similar basis to UK students. If you are an EU student, and applying through UCAS, you will be sent an Application Form for help with tuition fees when you are offered a place on the course. Students who do not apply through UCAS can get an Application Form by clicking the Student Finance link on this page or you can contact the EU Customer Services Team on 0141 243 3570.


The completed form should be returned direct to the EU Customer Services Team, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington, Co Durham DL3 9BG. As an EU student you will not be eligible for a maintenance loan, supplementary grant or the Maintenance Grant.

However, if your are an EU National or a child of such a person and you have lived in the UK and Islands (apart from temporary absences) for three years before the start of your course, you may be able to obtain a maintenance loan and any grants for which you are eligible. If you think that this applies to you, you should contact us for advice in the first instance

by emailing us at studentfinance@hertscc.gov.uk

by phoning:01992 555772

or writing to:

Student Finance
Hertfordshire County Council
County Hall
Hertford
Herts SG13 8DF

If you have any further queries visit the Direct Gov web site by clicking on the Student Finance link on the right of this page, then following the links under the heading 'Not From England?'