We are certified to provide Federal Direct Loans and private student loans via Sallie Mae and Earnest. The information on this page refers to students studying at least half time taking an undergraduate degree, postgraduate masters degree or PhD.
New federal direct loan changes
Major reforms to the federal student loan system take effect for periods of enrollment beginning on or after 1 July 2026.
These changes arise from the FY2025 budget reconciliation law (Public Law 119‑21), known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on 4 July 2025.
The reforms significantly alter who can borrow, how much can be borrowed, and lifetime borrowing caps, while introducing transitional (“legacy”) protections for existing borrowers.
For details, please go to our FAQs and ‘what loans can I get section’ Students who began their course at Westminster before September 2026 are protected as long as they adhere to certain rules
Student visa
You must wait for your Student visa to be issued before you travel to the UK and you must not travel to the UK before the start date of your Student visa or before your visa is issued.
If you travel to the UK without your Student visa you will either be refused entry or enter the UK as a visitor. If you enter the UK as a visitor, you will not be able to enrol on your course and you cannot switch to a Student visa while in the UK.
You will need to leave the UK and enter again once you have a valid Student visa and you must ensure you have enrolled with a valid Student visa before the last date to enrol.
If you have any questions about this, please contact our Student Advice team via [email protected].
GI Bill/ Veterans affairs
We are no longer participating in the GI Bill program.
Pell Grants
Pell Grants are not available to students studying at a foreign school.
Study Abroad
If you are a Study Abroad student we are unable to originate loans for you because you can receive financial aid from your home school in the US.
Please email [email protected] for more information.
Data protection/GDPR
At the University of Westminster, you have the right to have all records and data submitted with your application for financial aid treated as confidential information, as prescribed by the US Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For more details, please look at our GDPR privacy statement:
Consumer information
Federal Direct Loans:
Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae loan application and solicitation disclosures
Earnest
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
All students receiving US Federal Direct Loans must progress satisfactorily towards completion of their course to remain eligible. Please see our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy:
Refund policy
Please inform the Student Funding Office at [email protected] as soon as possible if you decide to suspend your studies or withdraw from your course. The University is required by Federal Law to complete a Return to Title IV Refund, which recalculates your financial aid eligibility based on your actual period of attendance.
You will also be required to complete Exit Counseling. For more information, please go to Federal Student Aid.
For more information, about our Refund Policy (PDF) please go to:
Contact information
Student Funding and Scholarships Office
T: + 44 (0) 207 911 5730
E: [email protected]