Transferring to a New Course at Loughborough University After Starting Your Studies

When you transfer to a new course with a fresh start in the subsequent academic year, you should still receive a Tuition Fee Loan as long as: 

• this is the first transfer you have made 
• you have not had any previous periods of repeat study 
• you are currently in your first year of study

Generally, Student Finance only provide Tuition Fee Loans for the ordinary length of your course plus one year. 

Tuition Fee Loans will normally be paid only for one additional year of study beyond the standard duration of the degree programme. The extra year is often referred to as a “gift year”. If the gift year has already been used due to previously changing course or an earlier repeat year and any period of repeat study is due to health or personal difficulties, you can request an additional year of funding.  You will need to provide an explanation and evidence of the difficulties having affected your studies to Student Finance. Student Finance England decide such a request under their Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR) procedure. SASS can advise and assist with preparing such a request.

Any previous years of study at higher education on a different course or at a different institution will affect entitlement. 

If you are able to transfer within the same academic year (normally only possible if you arrange the transfer very early in the academic year) then your Tuition Fee loan will not be affected as you are not adding any extra years of study. 

If your situation is more complicated we suggest you speak to an adviser.

Maintenance loans are available for all years of study, even if you do not qualify for fee support.

Your loan entitlement will be recalculated if you leave partway through a term as the payment is made with the expectation that you will attend for the whole term. Student Finance will ask you to repay any overpaid amount.

If you are waiting to begin your new course in the next academic year you will not normally get any further instalments of your current year loan. But if you withdraw or take LOA shortly before the due date of your next payment, there is the possibility that you may receive the money because of a delay in Student Finance England updating your record. Be warned that this may result in an overpayment that will probably have to be paid back directly rather than when you finish your course. 

If you are transferring course you will need to: 

• Notify Student Finance of your change of circumstance. For Student Finance England, you can normally log onto your online account to change your details. 
• In some cases you will have to complete a Change of Circumstances form (available from your online account) to notify Student Finance of the changes. Upload your completed Change of Circumstances form to your Student Finance online account.
• The University must also confirm to Student Finance any changes to your course. 
• Keep checking your online account for any updates (under the ‘Letters and emails’ section). 

Any year you start will count as one year’s previous study, even if you withdraw very early in the year. 

If you are from Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland then you will need to contact the relevant funding body for your country.

• Complete the accommodation cancellation request form for the Student Accommodation Centre 
• Hand back your keys when you vacate your room.

You will be charged hall fees up to the LOA date, plus an admin fee equivalent to 4 weeks rent/fees. This fee might be waived if you leave or suspend for medical reasons. 

If you have already paid your hall fees you can ask for a refund of any overpayment if your account is in credit. 

Students sometimes wish to stay in halls whilst on LOA – this is not normally permitted but check with the Student Accommodation Centre for their up to date information. 

If you are due a refund of your room bond deposit, it is normally refunded within 30 days.

If you have signed a contract for a private hall or private house/flat you will probably be liable to pay rent to the end of the contract whether you live there or not. But if you do not wish to live in the accommodation, you can: 

• Check to see if there is an early release (break) clause in your contract. 
• Try to find a replacement tenant – The landlord or managing agent needs to agree to the transfer to release you from your contract. It is strongly recommended that you sign a deed of surrender or assignment. We can advise you further on this. 

If you want to stay in privately managed halls or accommodation whilst waiting to join a new course: 

• If you have withdrawn you lose your student status for Council Tax. If you live at the property you will become liable for council tax for the whole property (subject to a 25% discount on the full rate if you are the only non-student living in the property). 
• If you have arranged to take Leave of Absence you retain your student status for Council Tax and would not normally be liable to pay it.