Apply for SFE as a Mature Student 2026/27

If you are applying to university in your 20s, 30s, 40s or later, the Student Finance England (SFE) application is the same online process as for school leavers – but a few rules work differently for mature and returning students: whose income counts, what happens if you studied before, and how age affects the Maintenance Loan. This guide covers the 2026/27 application for UK home students in England.

General information for UK home students. Not advice from Student Finance England (SFE) or the Student Loans Company. Figures and rules are taken from GOV.UK for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and may change; your SFE account and Notification of Entitlement are decisive. AF Education is not SFE and does not support international students.

Quick answer

Quick answer: Mature students apply for Student Finance England online, the same way as anyone else: set up a student finance account, complete the application, add household income if needed and send proof of identity. GOV.UK says it takes about 4 weeks to process, you don’t need a confirmed place to apply, and there is no upper age limit for Tuition Fee Loans (up to £9,790 in 2026/27). If you’re over 25 your parents’ income isn’t used, but a partner you live with is included (sources: GOV.UK – apply for student finance, GOV.UK – who qualifies, GOV.UK – new full-time students).

Step-by-step: applying as a mature or returning student

1. Check you qualify. Your course, university, previous study, age and residency all matter. Start with our free Student Finance England eligibility checker, then confirm on GOV.UK.
2. Create your student finance account and complete the online application. You can apply online if you are eligible for both a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan; tuition-fee-only applications are made by post (GOV.UK).
3. Household income. Over 25s are classed as independent students, so parents’ income is not included – but your partner’s income is if you live with them. Applications for 2026/27 use income from the 2024 to 2025 tax year (GOV.UK – household income).
4. Proof of identity. You’ll be asked for valid UK passport details; if you don’t have one, you can upload or post a copy of your birth or adoption certificate (GOV.UK – proof of identity).
5. Wait for your Notification of Entitlement. Processing takes about 4 weeks and you may be asked for extra evidence (GOV.UK – student finance step by step). Read our approval timeline guide.
6. Register at your university so your first payment can be released – see SFE payments 2026/27.

What is different for mature students?

Age

There is no upper age limit for Tuition Fee Loans or grants. If you are 60 or over on the first day of the first academic year of your course, you may get a limited Maintenance Loan (up to £4,582 in 2026/27), based on household income (GOV.UK – who qualifies, GOV.UK – new full-time students). More detail: student finance at 60 or over.

Previous study

You’ll usually only get student finance for your first higher education qualification, even if your earlier course was self-funded. If you stopped a course before finishing, any Tuition Fee Loan you are eligible for is applied to the final years of your new course, and if you left for a personal reason such as illness you might get funding for all of it (GOV.UK – who qualifies). See second degree student finance and compelling personal reasons.

Partner income and children

If you live with a partner, their income is part of your household income. If you have children or an adult who depends on you, you may also be able to claim extra grants on top of your loans – see student finance for parents and household income explained.

When to apply for 2026/27

You can apply for 2026 to 2027 now. For a course starting between 1 August and 31 December, you can still apply up to 31 May after it starts – but if you apply close to or after the start you may first get the minimum amount until your household income is checked (GOV.UK – when to apply). Applying early is safer. Courses starting on or after 1 January 2027 use a different process.

How much can you get?

• Tuition Fee Loan: up to £9,790 (up to £11,750 for an accelerated degree), paid straight to your university.
• Maintenance Loan (2026/27 maximums): £9,118 living with parents, £10,830 away from home outside London, £14,135 in London.
• Foundation year Tuition Fee Loan: up to £5,760 for classroom-based subjects, up to £9,790 for partly practical subjects.

Source: GOV.UK – new full-time students. Estimate yours with our guide how much Maintenance Loan will I get?

Courses mature students often apply for

Many of our applicants start with a foundation year or CertHE, for example BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year, BSc (Hons) Business and Data Analytics with Foundation Year, BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Foundation or CertHE Business Studies. Browse all university options for mature students.

Related: how to apply for student finance step by step · student finance for mature students · documents you need · reapplying each year

AF Education, 47 Cavell Street, London E1 2BP · 020 7377 8844 · info@afeducation.co.uk. Free help for UK home students with Student Finance England and funded undergraduate or foundation-year applications. Most courses we help with need around 1–2 campus days a week.

Frequently asked questions

Next steps

Check you qualify in 2 minutes, then apply on GOV.UK. AF Education helps UK home students with funded courses and SFE applications for free.