If your Student Finance payment has not arrived, please work through the steps below to identify and resolve the issue.
In addition, see GOV.UK for more information about Getting Your First Student Finance Payment.
1. Check whether your Student Finance application is approved
Log in to your Student Finance account and confirm that your application is fully approved.
Check the “Emails/Correspondence” section to ensure you have provided all required evidence, such as:
- Identity documents
- Household income evidence
- Any additional documents requested by SFE
If evidence is missing, upload it as soon as possible.
The Student Advice Team can provide tailored guidance on your eligibility, help resolve application issues, and liaise with SFE on your behalf if needed.
2. Confirm that your application is linked to the University of Westminster
If your application is still linked to another university:
- Log in to your SFE account.
- Update your university and course details to the University of Westminster.
After you enrol, the University must confirm your transfer. Please provide your Student Support Number (SSN) or Customer Reference Number (CRN) via:
- Student Centre Chat, or
- A Compass enquiry
3. Provide Westminster with your Student Support Number (SSN)
Your SSN:
- Usually begins with SFDU or SFWU
- Appears on your online Student Finance account
If you did not enter your SSN during the Student Virtual Enrolment Task, please send it to us via either:
- Student Centre Chat
- A Compass enquiry
Missing SSNs delay confirmation of your registration, which delays your payment.
4. Check that you are fully enrolled
SFE will only release your payment after Enrolment, once the University confirms both:
- Your attendance – for tuition fee payments
- Your registration – for maintenance loan payments
If you are not fully enrolled, your payments cannot be released. See our Enrolment information.
Payments typically arrive 3–5 days after full enrolment. If it has been longer than 5 days, please contact the Student Centre Team via chat or Compass.
5. How previous study can affect your Student Finance funding
Student Finance England (SFE) may reduce or refuse your funding if you have already studied at higher education level, even if you did not complete your previous course. This is known as Previous Study. SFE normally funds the length of your new course plus one additional year, minus any years of previous study. If you have used up your entitlement, you may receive reduced SFE funding.
Previous study issues can delay the processing of your application, as SFE must review your full study history before confirming your entitlement. If you think previous study may affect you, please contact the Student Advice Team urgently before enrolling on your course.
6. Further Support
If you need additional help understanding your SFE account or resolving delays, you can book an appointment with the Student Advice Team through Engage – Appointments or the Student Centre.