FAQs weekend study and funding eligibility

The Student Loans Company (SLC) informed the University on the 17^th April that we could begin submitting our first updates to confirm your previous weekday teaching, and that when they had processed these they would inform us we could submit the second update about your changed timetable.

On 29 April, the SLC then confirmed a change to the process. This means we no longer need to confirm the updates one after the other. We can now send your timetable change directly to the SLC, which should allow them to release your expected maintenance funding more quickly than before. We are now undertaking this process, and the SLC expect to release funding by the end of May for students who have changed their timetables.

The SLC changed the process for the release of maintenance funding on the 29^th April, and informed the University. If you’ve chosen to change your timetable to include weekday teaching, we are now sending your details directly to the SLC. They’ve told us that, once this is processed, they expect to release maintenance funding to students by the end of May.

The Student Loans Company have asked us to update your course record. This is done through a process called a Change of Circumstance (CoC). It is the process by which any amended course details are communicated to the SLC.

Because of the DfE decision, we are required by the SLC to update your record so that the weekend teaching you received is shown as ‘distance learning’ for the academic years you have already studied.

If you have moved, or will move, onto a version of your course that includes in‑person weekday teaching, your record will then be updated again. This happens in a number of administrative stages through the SLC’s systems, which is why you may receive more than one letter.

Stage 1 – Your in-person weekend teaching

1. We have submitted a first Change of Circumstance (CoC1) to the SLC to change your record to be ‘distance learning’ for each year you have studied so far.
2. A separate update is needed for each academic year, so the SLC sends a separate reassessment letter for each year. This is why you may receive multiple letters.

Stage 2 - What if I’m studying (or moving to) in-person teaching on a weekday?

If you are studying, or have chosen to move onto, a version of the course with in‑person weekday teaching, we will then submit a second Change of Circumstance (CoC2). We have been asked to follow this process by the SLC.

None of these decisions or processes relate to your status as a full-time student.

The DfE decision only relates to your course classification as Distance Learning or In-Attendance, and you remain a Full-Time student throughout this process.

The Department for Education confirmed on 20 April 2026 a change to how "overpayments" will be handled. Instead of asking for money back straight away, any repayments will now be made through the usual student loan system. This means that you won’t be required to pay anything back immediately. Repayments will happen after you finish your course, and only if you’re earning above the threshold.

Repayments for childcare and other grants are paused until at least September.

If you agree to an alternative timetable which includes weekday teaching, you should still be eligible for maintenance loan payments (subject to Student Loans Company processes).

This change reflects the sustained pressure from students, universities, and the National Union of Students to address the unfairness of this situation.

We will keep you updated when we get further information from the SLC. You can also contact the SLC direct and their contact details are below.

Some students who only have their in-person teaching delivered at the weekends may see on their SLC account that the next instalment of their maintenance loan has been blocked.

If you have opted to move your teaching to be delivered on a weekday, we are working to update your SLC course records to release your maintenance loan.

If you stay on weekend-only study, you won't be eligible for future maintenance loan payments under the current approach adopted by the SLC.

If your teaching pattern has recently changed but you used to have your in-person teaching only at the weekend, you may have seen your funding blocked.

We are undertaking a review of the student data held by the SLC to ensure this is as complete and accurate as possible and represents the teaching pattern you have studied on and are currently studying on. We will be in touch with any impacted students separately about this.

No, tuition fees are not impacted.

No, both distance learning and in-attendance courses attract Disabled Students’ Allowance so that should not be affected.

The Department for Education announced on the 20 April 2026 that repayments for childcare grants or other grants are paused until at least September.  For specific advice on childcare grants you can also contact the SLC direct and their contact details are below.

Council tax exemptions are for students studying full time courses (the ‘load’ of study) and are not usually based on the method of delivery (online or face to face – the ‘mode’). Your eligibility should therefore not be affected by the DfE’s decision to reclassify weekend only attendance courses as distance learning, because you remain a full-time student.

Your local council website will provide specific information about the eligibility for council tax discounts for the area you live in. 

We are working with the SLC to understand if and how any previous students are impacted by this decision; including what this means for them and how these previous students will be contacted. 

We understand that the current circumstances may have impacted your
ability to complete and submit your assessments. Because of this, you will be eligible to re-submit any of your assessments or reassessments that are due between 23 March 2026 and 7 July 2026 for an uncapped reassessment without the need to submit any exceptional circumstances or appeal.

If you’re not able to submit your assessment or you submit your assessment and don’t pass it, we will apply your uncapped reassessment to your assessment record. You will see this when you get your results. This applies to all first attempts and resubmissions.

Please do contact us if you need support. If you feel like you might not be able to continue with your course, please do talk to us first. We can discuss a study break, transfer to another location, the academic award you would leave with now and any other support that might make a difference to your individual circumstances. Please contact us on our dedicated MyServices page for support.

If you are concerned about continuing with your course please contact us first on our dedicated MyServices page we may be able to offer support or find alternatives. 

Withdrawing may have financial and academic implications, and we want to help you understand these before making a decision. If you do withdraw, the SLC rules on tuition fee liability periods and maintenance loan repayments will still apply. 

Your wellbeing and ability to continue your studies are our priority.

 If you need to reset your password, use this link: https://password.bathspa.ac.uk/

We will contact you by email using both your BSU email account and the personal email address we hold for you. Please check your inboxes regularly to ensure you do not miss important updates. Please also check our website as we update these pages regularly.

Wellbeing services and support is available. If you are studying with one of our educational partners, staff there will be able to help signpost you to appropriate wellbeing support.

Students studying directly with the University at Canary Wharf or Hackney have access to the Student Assistance Programme 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Provided by Health Assured in partnership with Student Wellbeing Services, students can speak with a mental health counsellor and access advice on a range of subjects, including accommodation, finance and legal, in over 100 different languages.

Students can call the Student Assistance Programme helpline: 0800 028 3766, and download the Wisdom App:

• Wisdom – Google Play store
• Wisdom – Apple Store

You need to enter the Wisdom unique code to access the App:

• Hackney students – MHA173635
• Canary Wharf students - MHA351146

Student Wellbeing Services staff are based at Canary Wharf and Hackney. You can arrange a time to speak with an Advisor through MyWellbeing: https://mywellbeing.bathspa.ac.uk/

We understand that you are likely to have questions during this time. We will be contacting you by email (to your BSU email and to the personal email address we hold for you) with further information when it is available. Please do check your email inbox regularly.

We have set up a dedicated MyServices support page for students affected by this decision, where you can access the latest information and request support by logging a call with us.  

We value your patience at this time to help us ensure our staff time can be focused on developing changes to timetables and working closely with our educational partners to resolve these issues for you.

Yes. As a registered Bath Spa University student, you are a member of Bath Spa University Students’ Union (SU) unless you choose not to be. The SU is an independent charity, separate from the University, and its role is to support and advocate for all Bath Spa University students.

One of the key services the SU provides is its Independent Advice Service. This service is confidential and impartial, and the team can help you with:

• understanding the information you’ve been given
• clarifying terminology or processes
• navigating University systems, policies, and support routes
• exploring your options if you are unsure what to do next

If you would like independent guidance or simply someone to talk things through with, the Students’ Union is here for you. You can contact the SU Advice Service at su-advice@bathspa.ac.uk

There are many countrywide services that provide information, advice and guidance, including:

Citizens Advice: Citizens Advice - advice, information and guidance on a range of subjects, including housing, money, benefits and food insecurity.

Shout – The UK’s free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope: text 85258

Contact the health service you are registered with, or use the NHS to find your local services: Find services near you - NHS

If you are struggling to afford food, the following website explains how you can access a food bank referral: How Do You Qualify to Use a Food Bank?

The Student Loans Company can be contacted directly by calling their helpline on 0300 100 0607 or via their website here: Contact Student Loans Company.