The Central England Law Centre and Warwick Law in the Community have released a new toolkit to explain recent developments in the law which should make it easier for students in England with humanitarian protection to claim ‘home fee’ status and to access student finance.
Following a successful legal challenge, students with humanitarian protection status no longer need to show that they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years before starting their course in order to receive home fee status and access to student finance. However, as universities and the Student Loans Company (SLC) adjust to the new guidance, there is a risk that the new rules may not be evenly applied. If you have been granted humanitarian protection and want to attend university in England, the toolkit can help you to understand:
- Your eligibility for home fee status and access to student finance;
- How to respond to your university if you feel they are applying a 3-year residence test for eligibility for home fee status;
- How to apply for student finance;
- What to do if you have been denied student finance because of a 3-year residence test;
- When and how to access specialist legal help.
If you are currently facing difficulties and feel that the 3-year residence test has been applied, Central England Law Centre may be able to provide you with the advice you need. Send an email with the details of your situation to studentfinance.hp@centralenglandlc.org.uk.
As the guidance may be subject to change, you can keep up to date with any developments on UKCISA’s website.