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Refugees and humanitarian protection
Refugee status? A degree is within reach
Refugees, people with humanitarian protection, and their family members are listed by Student Finance England for full support. We help you choose a course and get the application right.
Student finance
What you can usually get
People with refugee status or humanitarian protection, and their family members, are listed for full support (Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan).source
The conditions
- You, or the family member whose status you rely on, have refugee status or humanitarian protection.
- England is your home.
- Funding is usually for your first higher education qualification in the UK.
The same full-support list also includes stateless status, section 67 leave, Calais leave and the Afghan schemes (ARAP, ACRS and the Afghanistan Response Route). If one of these applies to you, talk to us.
Your qualifications from home may be recognised for entry. We help you work out which courses accept them.
January 2027 onwards
Starting in January 2027 or later?
Most courses that start on or after 1 January 2027 are funded through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement. You apply through an LLE student finance account, and the course must be with a provider registered with the Office for Students.source We set up the right application with you, whichever system your start date falls under.
How we help
From first call to your first day
- Check your eligibilityWe go through your status, how long you’ve lived in the UK and any previous study, before you apply anywhere.
- Choose a course you can finishUniversities and colleges with January, May and September starts, and courses that fit around work and family.
- University applicationYour personal statement and application, done with you.
- Student finance applicationWe guide you through it by screen-share, so you stay in control of your own account.
FAQ
Questions we’re asked
Do I need to have lived in the UK for 3 years?
The GOV.UK guidance lists refugee status for full support without a separate residence period for it. Your status dates and addresses are still checked, so we go through them with you.
Can my family members get student finance too?
Family members of someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection are also listed for full support.
My documents are from another country. Can I still apply?
Yes. Many universities accept international qualifications, and some offer foundation years. We help you choose.
Other statuses
Different status?
British citizens
See what you can getIndefinite leave to remain
See what you can getEU Settled Status
See what you can getEU Pre-Settled Status
See what you can getUkraine schemes
See what you can getFind out what you can study
Tell us your status and what you’d like to study. We’ll check your eligibility and tell you honestly what’s possible.
Sources (checked 12 October 2026)
This page is general information for students whose home is in England. Student Finance England makes the final decision on every application.