FAQs weekend study and funding eligibility

The Student Loans Company (SLC) and the Department for Education (DfE) have stated that university courses where in-person teaching is only delivered at weekends are being classed as distance learning. Under current rules, distance learning students are not eligible for maintenance loans.

Tuition fee loans are not affected.

We are taking legal advice as the University does not agree with the action taken by the Student Loans Company (SLC) and the Department for Education (DfE) and we are concerned about the impact on students.

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. We are making representations for a review of this decision to try to ensure that our students are not negatively impacted.

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.

The DfE and SLC have referred to repayments. We are very concerned about this, and we are taking legal advice to protect your position. We will provide further information as soon as possible.

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 SLC and DfE currently take the view that courses taught in-person only at weekends do not meet the criteria for “in-attendance” required for maintenance loan eligibility. This is a national interpretation being applied across the sector. We are taking legal advice on the actions of the SLC and DfE and considering what other options will be best for students.

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. The DfE and SLC have referred to repayments. We are very concerned about this and we are taking legal advice to protect your position. We will provide further information as soon as possible.

We are concerned that the Student Loans Company (SLC) has already started blocking maintenance loan payments and contacting students about this direct.

The University does not agree with the action being taken by the Department for Education and the Student Loans Company and we continue to do all that we can to challenge it, however, we do also need to take urgent action now in case they don’t change their position to give you the best chance of being eligible for future maintenance loans.

Most April maintenance loan payments were expected between 16 and 20 April. However, the SLC has currently blocked some accounts. We are establishing information on the timing and process for payments to be reinstated.

We are collecting all timetable changes so we can update your SLC funding record as soon as possible. However, as of 15 April, we have not been able to make updates to your SLC funding records as we are waiting for the SLC to confirm we can proceed.

When we have this confirmation, the SLC are requiring us to make two change requests to reflect both your weekend-only teaching and then any subsequent updates to your timetable, so you may receive multiple letters from the SLC before your record is fully updated.

We will share further updates as soon as more information becomes available.

We are doing all we can to challenge the actions of the Department for Education (DfE) and the Student Loans Company (SLC) and will keep you updated. We are working with other universities whose students are also affected. We have sent a formal Pre-Action Protocol Letter to the DfE and SLC and our lawyers have also written again to the DfE and SLC to stress the urgency and the impact their actions are having on you.

We are very concerned about references to repayments by the Department for Education (DfE) and Student Loans Company (SLC). We are asking the SLC for clarity on how this will impact students and we are also taking legal advice to challenge the actions of the SLC and the DfE. We are concerned that SLC have told students that they will be reclaiming payments. We do not think this is fair and we are seeking to challenge this legally. We understand that the SLC have stated that if you have chosen to move to a timetable with weekday attendance you will be able to apply to the SLC Hardship Overpayment Deferral Scheme once your record shows your updated timetable.

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.

We understand that eligibility for child-care grants is linked to your maintenance loan so this is likely to be affected. For specific advice on child-care grants you can also contact the SLC direct and their contact details are below.

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 23rd March 2026 and 7th 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. 

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

Whilst legal challenge is ongoing, we do also need to consider what steps we can take to support you now. We do not agree with the position of the Department for Education that your course is distance learning, but we need to make some changes to your timetable now so that you have the best chance of having your maintenance loan reinstated more quickly.

It is very important that you continue to attend your scheduled classes in accordance with your timetable so that you continue to meet the University’s attendance requirements.

Yes. You will receive an important email outlining the options available to you, including the option to change your timetable. You must respond to this email and select an option by the specified deadline.

• If you are studying directly with the University at Hackney or Canary Wharf, you were sent an email from the University on 1 April 2026. If you have replied you will receive your timetable this week. If you have not replied please respond to our follow-up email urgently.
• If you are studying with an educational partner, you will have received an email about your timetable options or an update from your educational partner on when you will receive that. Thank you to those who have already replied. If you have any questions, please use the contacts set out in that email.

We are very sorry that the deadline for choosing an option is so short. We are having to work to deadlines set by the DfE and SLC to try to reduce any disruption to you.

For students studying directly with the University at Canary Wharf or Hackney you may be eligible to apply for Bath Spa University Access Fund Weekend Study Hardship Support. Please see our website here for more information on how to apply. Please ensure you have submitted your application by 1 May 2026.

For students studying with an Educational Partner you will shortly be provided with details about how to apply for financial hardship support and who your contact is for this at your campus.

All campus student support and wellbeing teams will be able to direct you to food support services and food larders. Where possible, campuses will also be providing some food free of charge while you are studying. 

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/

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. We can be contacted here for other 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 overpayments will still apply.

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

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.

The NUS has started a petition to tell the government to continue giving students their maintenance loans and have published details here.

We are working hard to support you and hope that you can give us some time to do what we can to help. We are also doing all we can to challenge the actions of the Department for Education and the SLC and will keep you updated.

We have been in touch with the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) regarding our approach to managing and responding to complaints about this situation. If you have a complaint, this should be sent directly to Bath Spa University’s Complaints Team: ComplaintsOfficer@bathspa.ac.uk

The University will be managing all Stages (including Stage 1) of the Student Complaints Procedure including for our students studying with educational partners.

Free and independent support is available from the SU Independent Advice Service.