If you’re considering interrupting your studies study, speak to your Student Advice Centre as they will be able to advise you about the interruption process.
We can provide advice on the implications that interrupting has on your student funding. Please book a 15-minute Quick Query appointment with us.
When you interrupt, we will let SFE know that you are taking a break from your studies. Your interruption date is taken from the last day that you attended university. When we do this, your student funding will stop and any Maintenance Loan that you receive after this date will need to be repaid to SFE.
SFE are likely to recover any overpayment of the Maintenance Loan when you return to study. If the deduction of the overpayment causes you financial hardship, you can apply to SFE to request that they defer the overpayment to the next academic year. You can then apply each academic year if the overpayment will cause you financial hardship.
If you interrupt because of illness, pregnancy or another serious personal reason, you may still be able to get student finance while you’re not studying. In these circumstances, SFE can award the Maintenance Loan up to 60 days after you interrupt your course. If, after the 60 days, you are experiencing financial hardship, SFE may offer further support. This is called Discretionary Payments. Please refer to the question "Student Loans Company have said I've been overpaid. What if I can't afford to repay it?" on this FAQs page for more information.
When you are ready to return to study, you need to contact your faculty to let them know that you intend to return. You will then need to make an application to SFE for the academic year that you intend to return. Please refer to the other FAQ "I need to repeat a year of study, what do I need to do?" for information about the number of years of funding entitlement for a repeat year.