Whether you’re already holding an offer for an Initial Teacher Training programme in September, or still going through the interview process, it’s time to start getting your student finance sorted! As you prepare yourself for a transformative year of learning and growth, understanding the ins and outs of student finance is crucial. Here's everything you need to know to secure your funding smoothly and efficiently for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Applications Are Open!
Great news—applications for student finance for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open! It doesn’t matter whether you will be undertaking a PGCE or a SCITT course like our primary specialist REAch Teach programme, it’s time to get your finances in order.
Before You Apply: Get Prepared
To ensure your student finance application goes as smoothly as possible, start by using the Student Finance England toolkit. This toolkit is designed to help you gather all the necessary information and documents needed to complete your application quickly.
What You Need to Know:
- Explore the different types of funding available. This might include tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, and potentially other grants or bursaries depending on your circumstances.
- Use the Student Finance Calculator available on the SFE website to get an estimate of how much maintenance loan you might receive. This can help you budget for your living expenses during the programme.
- Confirm your eligibility for student finance on GOV.UK. It’s important to verify this early to avoid any surprises down the line.
- Check which identity documents you need. For most students, a valid UK passport number will suffice. Make sure your passport is up to date to avoid any delays.
- If your funding application depends on your household income, you will need to provide details such as your parents' or partner’s National Insurance numbers. It's a good idea to inform them early so they can have the information ready.
- Don’t be put off by the language used to apply for your Initial Teacher Training (ITT) student finance. Even if you are on a Postgraduate programme of ITT, you You’ll need to apply for undergraduate student finance to get funding for your teacher training.
Deadline: 17 May 2024
Mark your calendar for Friday 17 May 2024. This is the deadline for new students to apply for student finance (continuing students have until 21 June). Applying by this date ensures that your funding is in place before the programme starts, allowing you to focus fully on preparing for your ITT year, without financial stress.
Remember, you don’t need a confirmed place on an ITT programme to apply for student finance. So, even if you are still waiting for your place to be confirmed, it's wise to start the finance application process now. This proactive approach will save you time and give you peace of mind as the start of the course approaches.
Securing student finance might seem daunting, but with early preparation and understanding of the process, it can be straightforward. Make use of all the resources available, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the REAch Teach team for guidance if you need it. We are excited for you to join us on this journey and are here to support you every step of the way. Stay proactive and good luck with your application!
Learn more about our Initial Teacher Training programme for 2024/25