evidence cover letter student finance

What is a Student Finance Cover Letter?

In General , University by Think Student Editor January 11, 2023 Leave a Comment

When you start applying to university, you will come across the term “student finance” a lot. Especially if you’re the first in your family to attend university, this term can be confusing. Since you have to apply for student finance before you start university, the process of applying can seem quite complicated. One of the parts of this process is a student finance cover letter. However, if this term is new to you, you’ll definitely be asking: what exactly is a student finance cover letter?

A student finance cover letter can also be referred to as an evidence cover letter. You can be asked to send the letter as part of your application along with the evidence you are submitting. Your evidence cover letter can be brief but will need to have your Customer Reference Number (CRN), your name as well as your current address. This makes it easier to link the evidence enclosed to your student finance account.

The above provides a brief summary of what a student finance cover letter is. To find out more about the evidence you must enclose and how you can send the cover letter, I recommend you read on.

Table of Contents

Where is your evidence cover letter on your student finance account?

After you have submitted your evidence, you can be asked to attach the evidence cover letter from your account. In this case, you should submit the letter online or in through the post to Student Finance England.

Uploading the evidence cover letter should be done the same way that you upload your other documents of evidence. You can download the evidence cover letter when logged into your student finance account .

You should only upload a cover letter or any other types of evidence to your account when asked to. If uploaded otherwise it can cause a delay in your application.

To start uploading evidence, you must first sign into your student finance account. You must then select the type of application. This will most likely be the ‘Undergraduate student finance applications’.

This is a separate application to the Disabled Students’ Allowance application which requires a different form and an additional cover letter. You can find out more about this on this gov.uk page here .

After you have selected this, you can view all the current undergraduate applications in your account. Choose your most recent application unless the evidence is for a specific year.

Under the section heading ‘Manage your student finance’, you will find the option to ‘Upload supporting evidence’. This is where your evidence can be uploaded and submitted.

As well as uploading evidence, you can use your student finance account to change any details in your application. This video here from Student Finance England shows you how.

What evidence must be submitted for student finance applications?

There are two types of evidence that must be submitted when you apply for student finance for the first time. These are proof of identity and household income information.

Proof of identity is the first step to checking if you are eligible for student finance. You will normally submit a copy of your valid passport details when you apply.

If you are an international student, you can send your valid non-UK passport. You may also be asked to submit Home Office documents.

If you do not have a valid UK passport, you will need to send your UK birth or adoption certificate. When sending your certificate by post, you will need to include your name and address as well as your customer reference number.

Once you have your student loan confirmation letter, you can use it to prove your address. Check out this article here on Think Student to find out more ways of proving your address.

How does household income affect your student finance application?

Your household income details are very important when determining how much maintenance loan you are eligible for. You can find out more about maintenance loans here on Think Student.

What is considered as household income changes based on your individual circumstances such as your age and who you are dependent on.

For most undergraduate students, household income includes your parents’ income and any income from your own savings or investments.

To give details of your household income, your parent must create a separate student finance account to you. You can create an account here .

Once your parent has signed in, they will need to provide the correct information about any personal taxable income and any income you may receive from savings/investments. Your parent will most likely have to send photocopies of their P60 or payslips.

This information will then be reviewed by the HMRC and will take about two weeks.

What evidence is needed to apply for CPR support?

CPR stands for Compelling Personal Reasons. CPR refers to when a student has to suspend their studies or change their course due to a personal situation like bereavement or health issues. If you are eligible for CPR support, you can receive additional funding.

To apply for CPR funding, you must submit both a covering letter and a form of evidence from a professional. You will need to reapply each year for compelling personal reasons in order to gain the additional year of funding.

Your CPR application acceptance is highly dependent on your cover letter. This cover letter will be structured very differently to the evidence cover letter and should not be as brief. The purpose of the cover letter is to explain why your CPR should be taken into consideration and why you should receive funding as a result of it.

When writing your cover letter, you should remember to include the following details:

• Your personal details – this includes standard information like your full name, date of birth and your CRN as well as your contact details.
• Key dates – this refers to which year/years you would like to be considered for CPR support and when you suspended your studies and when you plan on resuming your studies.
• Your CPR – this can be due to health issues, family issues or more but it is important to state your reasons clearly so SFE can assess the complete situation.
• Changes to your circumstances – if there is progress in your circumstances, you are more likely to be successful when you return to your studies.

The evidence from a professional as well as the cover letter confirms the difficulties you have experienced and how they have disrupted your studies.

Cover Letter For Student Finance Sample: Free & Customizable

In this article, I will guide you through a step-by-step process to create an effective cover letter for your student finance application, including a handy template and tips from my personal journey.

Key Takeaways Purpose : Understand the importance of a cover letter in your student finance application. Structure : Learn the standard format of a cover letter and what to include in each section. Personalization : Discover how to tailor your cover letter to your individual circumstances. Evidence : Find out how to back up your claims with concrete examples. Professionalism : Get tips on maintaining a professional tone while showing your personality. Template : Use the provided template as a starting point for your own cover letter. Final Tips : Benefit from personal insights and experiences to enhance your cover letter.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Cover Letter

Step 1: start with your contact information.

Like any formal letter, begin with your name, address, phone number, and email at the top. Ensure this information is accurate and up-to-date.

Step 2: Address the Recipient Properly

If you know the name of the person handling your application, address them directly. If not, “Dear Sir/Madam” is a suitable alternative.

Step 3: Open with a Strong Introduction

Start by stating the purpose of your letter. Mention the specific student finance package you’re applying for and briefly introduce yourself.

Step 4: Explain Your Educational and Career Goals

Detail your academic achievements, career aspirations, and how the financial aid will help you achieve your goals. Be specific, and connect your goals to the financial support you’re seeking.

Step 5: Outline Your Financial Situation

Trending now: find out why.

Clearly explain why you need financial assistance. Be honest about your circumstances, but maintain a tone of optimism and determination.

Step 6: Conclude with a Call to Action

Politely request the recipient’s consideration of your application and express your willingness to provide further information if needed.

Step 7: Sign Off Professionally

End with a formal closing, such as “Sincerely,” followed by your name and signature.

Personalization Is Key

Remember, your cover letter should reflect your unique situation. Don’t just copy and paste a generic template. Use the structure as a guide, but infuse it with details that are specific to your experiences and needs.

Template for a Student Finance Cover Letter

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [Date]

[Recipient’s Name or “Dear Sir/Madam”] [Title] [Company/Organization] [Address] [City, State, Zip]

Dear [Recipient’s Name or “Sir/Madam”],

I am writing to apply for [specific student finance package], as advertised [mention where you found the listing, if applicable]. As a [your year in school] student at [your school], pursuing a degree in [your field of study], I am earnestly seeking financial assistance to continue my education and achieve my career goals in [specific career field].

During my time at [your school], I have maintained [mention any academic achievements or honors]. Despite these achievements, my financial situation is such that without additional support, continuing my education could be challenging.

[Provide a brief overview of your financial situation, being specific about your needs without oversharing personal details.]

The funding I am requesting would not only assist me in covering tuition fees but also enable me to participate in [mention any extracurricular activities or academic opportunities that require funding].

This support is crucial for me to continue excelling academically and to contribute positively to my community through [mention any community service or extracurricular involvement].

I am committed to my education and to the path I have chosen in [your field of study]. Your financial support would greatly assist me in achieving my academic and career objectives, which are [briefly mention your career goals].

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to provide any further information needed to support my case. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my application in more detail.

[Your Name] [Your Signature, if sending a hard copy]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How Do I Explain My Financial Situation in a Student Finance Cover Letter?

Answer: In my experience, being clear and concise is key. I mentioned specific financial challenges, like family income and educational expenses. 

I also provided evidence, such as income statements or bills, to support my claims. It’s important to be honest and straightforward about your financial need.

Q: What Should I Include in the Introduction of My Cover Letter?

Answer: I always start by introducing myself, stating my current educational status, and the purpose of the letter. For example, I might write, “My name is John Door, a second-year student at XYZ University, writing to apply for the ABC Financial Aid Program.” This sets a clear context right from the beginning.

Q: How Long Should My Student Finance Cover Letter Be?

Answer: Based on my experience, brevity is crucial. A one-page cover letter is usually sufficient. It’s important to be concise yet comprehensive, focusing on the most relevant details about your financial situation and educational goals.

Q: Is It Necessary to Mention My Academic Achievements?

Answer: Absolutely! I always highlight my academic achievements, as they demonstrate my commitment to education and potential for success. This can include GPA, awards, or participation in relevant projects or extracurricular activities.

Q: How Can I Make My Cover Letter Stand Out?

Answer: Personalizing the letter makes a big difference. I address it to the specific individual or committee handling the finances, if possible. Also, I share a brief personal story related to my educational journey and financial needs, which adds a unique and memorable element to the letter.

Q: Should I Discuss My Career Goals in the Cover Letter?

Answer: Yes, I find it beneficial to briefly mention my career aspirations. This shows the committee how the financial aid will contribute to my long-term goals and assures them that their support is a valuable investment in my future

MORE FOR YOU

Best motivation letter for scholarship example.

I’m thrilled to share my insights and guide you step-by-step on how to write an effective motivation letter for your scholarship application, including providing customizable…

Read More »

Urgent Application Letter for Scholarship Request Template

Unlock your scholarship opportunity with our tailored request template. Craft a compelling application effortlessly!

Acing the “Strengths and Weaknesses” Question in a Scholarship Interview

Key Takeaways: Understand the importance of addressing strengths and weaknesses in a scholarship interview. Learn how to identify and articulate your strengths with confidence. Discover…

Free Email For Scholarship Application Sample

Stand out with confidence! Access an effective email for scholarship application template. Maximize your chances of success effortlessly.

3 Proven Scholarship Letters: Secure Your Funding

Below are three detailed templates catering to different scenarios or styles. Each template is designed to highlight the applicant’s qualifications, aspirations, and need for financial…

3 Proven Application Letters for Scholarship Request

Writing a demand letter for a breach of contract involves outlining the specifics of the breach, referencing the relevant sections of the contract, and clearly…

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Student Finance England – ‘How to’ guide

This guide will provide you with answers to the most common questions that undergraduate students are currently asking us.

Applies to England

• Guidance for Wales

Check our  current timescales page  to find out when to expect an update on your application or on information you’ve sent!

Checking the status of your application

Once you’ve applied, you’ll want to keep up to date with the progress of your application.

How to check the status of your application

Visit our guidance page for more information on checking the status of your application .

Change your university, college or course details

You may need to update your university, college or course details if you change your mind about where or what you want to study, or if your circumstances change. Follow these steps if the start date for the course you initially applied for has not passed yet:

• Sign in to your online account at www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login
• Select ‘Undergraduate student finance applications’
• Select the application you wish to change
• Under the heading ‘Manage your student finance’, select ‘View and manage your applications’
• Select ‘Change your application’
• Select ‘Change your application’ again
• Select ‘University/college and course’

If the course you initially applied for has already started, you’ll need to ask your university or college to send us a request to update your university, college or course details on your application.

It can take up to 6 weeks to approve any changes to your application, so it’s important to make any changes straight away. To ensure we can process your changes as quickly as possible, we ask you do not contact us during this time.

How to change your student finance application

For more information, visit our updating your student finance details page .

If you’re asked to upload evidence for your student finance application

You should only upload evidence to your online account if we’ve asked you to do so and only upload your documents once. If you upload evidence we haven’t asked for, or we get more than one copy of the same thing, it could delay your application.

If you need to send us more than one document, it can help to upload these together. This means we can review all of your evidence at the same time and process your application quicker.

Follow these steps to upload evidence to your account:

• Select the application you wish to upload evidence for
• Under the heading ‘Manage your student finance’, select ‘Upload supporting evidence’
• Follow the instructions to upload a file from your computer or mobile phone, the file cannot be larger than 16MB

If you’ve uploaded evidence and ‘your actions to complete’ don’t update, it doesn’t mean we don’t have your documents. Once we’ve checked what you’ve sent, we’ll update your actions list.

You don’t need to contact us to check that we’ve got your documents, if we need anything else, we’ll be in touch.

How to upload evidence

For more information, visit our evidence page .

Cancel a student finance application

You may need to cancel your application if you’ve changed your mind about going to university or college, or if you’ve accidentally completed the wrong type of application.

To cancel your application, follow these steps:

• Select the application you wish to cancel
• Select ‘Cancel your application’
• Select ‘Cancel your application’ again to confirm

If you’ve already registered on your course and want to cancel your student finance application, you’ll need to contact your university or college to do this for you.

Registering on your course

You need to register/enrol on your course at the start of your first term each year, otherwise we won’t be able to send you any payments!

Check your university or college’s website or contact a member of staff who works there for information on how to register or enrol on your course. Usually, you can do this online without having to visit your university or college.

Paying your tuition fees

Your Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to your university or college in three instalments during the academic year.

We cannot make any tuition fee payments to them until they have confirmed that you’re attending your course. They will automatically send this information to us after your course has started.

If you’re studying on a distance learning course, your university or college will usually confirm your attendance two weeks after the course start date. As a result, it can take 3 to 4 weeks for your Tuition Fee Loan to be paid.

If your university or college have confirmed your attendance in error, they should send us an update confirming the error and correct the details on your application. This will not affect your future entitlement to student finance.

You do not need to contact us to confirm your attendance.

Update your bank details in your online account

It’s important to keep your bank details up to date to make sure you get your payments at the start of each term. A few points to remember before updating them:

• we can only make payments to a UK bank or building society account
• the account must be in your own name – we cannot make payments into third party accounts under any circumstance
• if you’re expecting a payment - we require 4 working days’ notice to change your bank details so that the payment is made to your new bank account. Any changes made within this time will not take effect before the payment is due

It’s quick and easy to update them online when you need to, just follow these steps:

• Select ‘Your personal details’ from the menu at the top of the page
• Next to ‘Bank account details’, select ‘Change’
• Confirm your old bank or building society details for security
• Enter your new bank or building society account details

Check your payment schedule and amounts

To help you budget and prepare for your next payment, it will help to know how much and when you’re getting paid. You can check this in your online account, follow these steps:

• Select the application for the payments you wish to check
• Under the heading ‘Manage your student finance’, select ‘View your payments’

How to check your payment schedule

For more information, visit our payment page .

Support a student finance application with your household income details

If your child or partner has applied for extra Maintenance Loan, we’ll email you to ask for details of your household income. We’ll use this to work out how much student finance they can get.

Follow the instructions in the email to give us your details.

If you don’t receive an email, or you’re supporting more than one student, follow these steps to give us your details:

• Sign in or create an online account at www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login .
• Select ‘Undergraduate student finance applications’.
• Choose the academic year you’re giving your details for.
• Under the heading ‘Start something else’, select ‘Support a student’s application for student finance’.
• Scroll down and select ‘Support an application for student finance’.
• Type in your child or partner’s details so we can link you to their application.

Get more information on providing your household income details .

If you’re asked to upload evidence to support a student finance application

After you’ve provided details about your household income, we may contact you to ask for evidence. If this happens, you can upload the evidence to us through your online account. Follow these steps if we request evidence from you:

• Select ‘Upload evidence’

Keep in mind, you should only send evidence to us if we’ve asked you to do so, otherwise it could delay the student’s application!

Visit our guidance page for more information on supporting an application .

Find out who can get student finance, how much you can get and how to apply

Visit www.gov.uk/student-finance for information on:

• who can get student finance
• how much you can get
• extra funding available for students with a disability or dependants
• how to apply

For further information on student finance, visit studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/ .

Reset your log in details

If it’s been a while since you signed in to your online account, you may have forgotten some details. Don’t worry, you can reset or recover these details quickly and easily online:

• Visit www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login
• Select the green ‘Start now’ button
• Select ‘Forgotten your email address or CRN?’ or ‘Forgotten your password?’
• Then just follow the instructions to recover or reset your details

How to reset your password and secret answer

Update your contact details

It’s important you keep your contact details such as your email address and mobile number up to date in case we need to get in touch with important information about your account. It’s quick and easy to update this through your online account, just follow these steps:

• Select ‘Change’ next to whichever details you wish to update
• Enter your new contact details and select ‘Continue’

How to update your personal details

For more information, visit our updating your student finance details guidance page .

Updates to this page

Added link to current timescales page

Updated link to 'How to check your payment schedule' film

Updates have been made to 'If you’re asked to upload evidence for your student finance application' section

Added guidance on supporting more than one student.

Updates have been made to the 'Change your university, college or course details' section

Added new section, 'Paying your tuition fees'.

Added YouTube film to Payment schedule section

A YouTube walkthrough film has been added under 'Change your university, college or course details'

When uploading evidence for a student finance application, you can now upload files up to 16MB in size.

First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content, is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .