Student Guides & Insights

Following today's debate in the House of Commons, the focus has shifted to solutions. If your university has added a mandatory weekday session to your timetable, you are no longer a "distance learner" under the new DfE rules.

Confirming Your CO7 Status

To restore your maintenance loan, your university must submit a Change of Circumstances (CO7) form to SFE. This proves you are "in-attendance" during the Monday-Friday window, making you eligible for full funding again.

The crisis surrounding weekend-only university courses reached the House of Commons today, April 20, 2026, as MPs demanded answers regarding the aggressive debt recovery actions facing thousands of students.

Last month, the Department for Education (DfE) ruled that weekend-only courses must be classified as "distance learning". Because of this, an estimated 22,000 students have abruptly lost their eligibility for maintenance loans.

The "Overpayment" Trap

The situation has escalated from frozen payments to active debt collection. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has been instructed to recover past maintenance payments, classifying the money students have already used for rent and food as "irregular overpayments". This has left working-class students and parents holding the bill for an administrative misclassification.

Today, parliamentary pressure mounted as the Secretary of State for Education was formally questioned on the devastating impact these SLC recovery plans will have on students who enrolled in good faith.

The Office for Students Steps In

If you are affected, you have rights. The Office for Students (OfS) has stated that universities must treat students fairly under consumer law.

• Institutions must not leave students with unexpected additional costs.
• Where solutions cannot be agreed upon, students are entitled to appropriate redress, which may include financial compensation.

The "Hybrid" Solution Starts This Week

To protect student funding, many universities are rushing to alter their timetables. Starting this week (the week of April 20, 2026), several providers are introducing a "Hybrid" model, adding at least one mandatory weekday evening session to officially classify the course as "in-attendance".

At One Guide, we are receiving many questions about why maintenance loans are being blocked for weekend students. Here is everything you need to know about the current situation and how to protect your funding.

The Problem: "In-Attendance" vs. "Distance Learning"

The issue isn't a brand-new law, but a strict new interpretation of existing regulations. Under the Education (Student Support) Regulations, a student is only eligible for a maintenance loan if their course is classified as "in-attendance."

In March and April 2026, the DfE clarified that to count as "in-attendance," a course must require you to be physically present at the university at least once during the standard working week (Monday to Friday).

The Official Position

The Office for Students (OfS) has published a formal notification regarding this shift. If your university claims that weekend courses are still eligible based on "hours," you should refer them to the official guidance:

👉 View the Official Policy: Maintenance loan eligibility for students studying at weekends

Why is this happening now?

The government has identified a "systemic issue" where some providers incorrectly registered weekend courses as full-time "in-attendance" programs. As of April 2026, the SLC has been instructed to:

• Stop all future maintenance payments for students on weekend-only timetables.
• Recover "overpayments"—this means the money you have already received this year might be treated as a debt that needs to be paid back.

Is my University right when they say "it's about the hours"?

Many colleges, including providers like Regent College London (RCL) and others, have told students they are "OK" because they provide enough "Guided Learning Hours" (usually 15+ hours).

Be careful: The DfE has explicitly stated that hours do not matter if those hours only fall on a Saturday or Sunday. The legal requirement for a maintenance loan is now strictly tied to weekday attendance.

What should you do next?

If you are a weekend student, you need to act fast to secure your financial future:

• Request a Timetable Change: The easiest way to stay eligible is to have at least one mandatory class moved to a weekday (Monday–Friday).
• Check for "Hardship Funds": Ask your university about emergency support. The OfS has told universities they must support students who have been misled about their loan eligibility.
• Know Your Consumer Rights: If you were promised a maintenance loan for a weekend course, the university may be liable for "redress" or financial compensation under consumer law.

As we reported recently, Student Finance England (SFE) and the Department for Education have been heavily scrutinizing students enrolled in franchised colleges, 2-day schedules, and weekend courses. Many students have had their Maintenance Loans temporarily frozen while their attendance is investigated.

If your funding is currently active, or if you are planning to apply soon, you cannot afford to be complacent. Here is our updated guide on how to protect yourself and ensure your Maintenance Loan remains safe.

1. 100% Attendance is Crucial

SFE is directly asking universities for attendance logs. If you are scheduled to be on campus for two days a week, you must be there. Make sure you always swipe your student ID card when entering the building, as this digital footprint is the strongest proof that you were physically present.

2. Engage with the Online Portal (VLE)

Physical attendance is only half the battle. Universities track your digital engagement. You must regularly log into your student portal (Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, etc.), download the lecture slides, and participate in online forums. SFE looks for regular, consistent digital activity.

3. Keep a Paper Trail

If you ever need to appeal a frozen loan, evidence is everything. Take screenshots of your submitted assignments, keep copies of emails communicating with your tutors, and save your grades. Never leave room for doubt.

4. Transfer to a Safe, Fully Approved Course

If your current university is under heavy investigation and your funding has been suspended for weeks with no end in sight, you have the right to transfer. At One Guide, we partner with fully accredited universities that offer secure, fully-funded 2-day schedules that are not affected by the current franchise crackdown.

In an ever-changing economy, one degree consistently stands the test of time: Business Management. Whether you dream of launching your own startup, managing a team in a global corporation, or working in the non-profit sector, the skills you gain in this program are universal.

At One Guide, we help students enroll in Business programs that don’t just teach theory—they teach you how to succeed in the real world.

1. A Skill Set for Any Industry

A Business Management degree isn't just about spreadsheets. You will master critical areas such as Leadership & Strategy, Financial Literacy, Marketing & Branding, and Human Resources. These are skills that every employer in the UK is looking for.

2. Flexible Study Schedules

We know many of our students have full-time jobs or families to care for. That is why we partner with universities that offer 2-day campus schedules, evening classes, or blended learning options, allowing you to balance your education with your personal life.

3. Foundation Year Options

Don't have traditional entry qualifications? No problem! Many of our Business degrees include a Foundation Year. This extra year is designed to build your academic confidence and study skills, ensuring you are fully prepared for the full degree.

4. Full Funding Support

Eligible students can access Student Finance England (SFE) funding to cover 100% of their tuition fees and receive a Maintenance Loan of up to £15,000 per year for living expenses. Best of all, you don't pay anything back until you are earning a stable salary.

The digital world is moving faster than ever. Whether it’s Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, or Cyber Security, businesses in the UK and globally are desperate for skilled tech professionals.

At One Guide, we see more students choosing Computing than almost any other subject. Why? Because it offers some of the highest starting salaries and the best job security in the modern economy.

1. Careers That Matter

A degree in Computing isn't just about "coding." It opens doors to various high-level career paths:

• Cyber Security: Protect companies from global digital threats and data breaches.
• Data Science: Help businesses make smart decisions using big data and analytics.
• Software Engineering: Build the apps, websites, and platforms that run the world.
• Game Design: Turn your passion for gaming into a highly paid professional career.

2. Flexible Study for Busy Lives

You don’t have to sit in a library 5 days a week to get a high-quality IT degree. Many of our partner universities offer highly flexible schedules designed for adults:

• 2 Days a Week: Study on campus for just two days, allowing you to work or manage family life the rest of the week.
• Foundation Years: If you don't have the right grades yet, you can start with an Integrated Foundation Year to build your skills before starting the full degree.

3. Second Degree Funding

Did you know that even if you already have a degree in a different subject, you might still be eligible for full Student Finance funding to study Computing? Because it is considered a "shortage occupation" skill, SFE often provides funding for students to retrain in this field.

4. No Experience? No Problem.

Many students worry they aren't "techy" enough to start. Foundation programs are specifically designed to take you from a total beginner to a confident professional over the course of four years.

Recently, thousands of university students across the UK opened their bank accounts only to find that their scheduled Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England (SFE) had not arrived. Shortly after, they received a letter stating their funding was frozen or suspended.

If you are studying on a weekend schedule, a 2-day-a-week program, or at a franchised college, you are at a much higher risk of facing this issue. But don't panic. Here is what is happening and the steps you need to take.

Why is SFE Freezing Loans?

The Department for Education (DfE) and the Student Loans Company recently launched a massive crackdown to prevent funding fraud. They discovered that some institutions had students enrolled on low-contact-hour courses (like weekend-only classes) who were not actually attending lectures.

To protect public money, SFE has temporarily paused Maintenance Loans for thousands of students on these specific schedules until they can prove genuine attendance and engagement. Furthermore, SFE is strictly enforcing the rule that Full Online or Distance Learning courses do not qualify for Maintenance Loans—only tuition fee loans.

Tips & Tricks: What to do if your loan is frozen

What if your course loses its funding?

In some cases, SFE may decide that a specific weekend course no longer meets the criteria for a Maintenance Loan. If you rely on this money to survive while studying, you have the right to transfer to an approved, fully-funded course.

Thinking about starting a university degree but stressing over the costs? You are not alone. The good news is that if you live in the UK, you likely don’t have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

At One Guide, we help hundreds of students navigate the Student Finance England (SFE) system every year. Here is a simple breakdown of what you need to know.

1. The Tuition Fee Loan

SFE provides a Tuition Fee Loan that covers the full cost of your university course (up to £9,250 per year). This money is paid directly to your university. You never have to touch the money or worry about transferring it yourself.

2. The Maintenance Loan

Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for a Maintenance Loan of up to £15,000 per year. Unlike the tuition loan, this money is paid directly into your bank account! It is designed to help you with living costs, rent, travel, and books while you study.

3. Do I qualify?

Eligibility depends on a few factors, including your residency status. Generally, you can apply if you are a British Citizen, or an EU/EEA national with Settled or Pre-Settled Status (working or non-working, depending on specific rules).

4. When do I pay it back?

This is the best part: it’s not like a normal bank loan. You only start repaying your student loan the April after you graduate, and only if you are earning over a certain amount (currently £25,000 a year). If your income drops below that threshold, your repayments stop automatically.

Congratulations, you've submitted your application and secured a university interview! It is completely normal to feel nervous, but with the right preparation, you can walk into your interview feeling confident and ready to impress.

Many universities ask "behavioral" questions to see how you handle real-life situations. These questions usually start with "Tell me about a time when..." or "Give an example of how you..."

To answer these perfectly without rambling or forgetting details, we recommend the STAR Method. Here is how it works:

Practice Makes Perfect

By structuring your answers this way, you show the interviewer that you are organized, capable, and ready for higher education.

At One Guide, we provide full, free interview preparation for all our students. From Ability Assessments to Case Studies, we make sure you are 100% ready.

If you are considering applying to university after taking a few years (or even a decade) off, you might be asking yourself: "Am I too old for this?" or "Will I be able to keep up?"

Let us stop you right there: It is never too late to invest in your future.

Every year, thousands of mature students across the UK return to education to change careers, boost their earning potential, or simply pursue a lifelong passion. Here is why returning to education might be the best decision you ever make:

1. Universities Love Mature Students

You bring real-world experience, focus, and dedication that younger students often haven't developed yet. Your life experience is a massive asset in classroom discussions and coursework.

2. Flexible Study Options

You don't have to quit your job to get a degree. Many of our partner universities offer highly flexible schedules designed for working adults. You can choose courses that require just 2 days a week on campus, evening classes, weekend schedules, or even 100% online learning.

3. You Don't Always Need A-Levels

If you don't have traditional qualifications like A-Levels or a Baccalaureate, don't panic. Many universities offer Foundation Year programs. These 4-year courses start with a preparatory year designed to build your academic skills before you start the main degree. We can also help students apply based on their work experience alone!

4. Financial Support is Available

Age does not disqualify you from Student Finance England. You have access to the exact same Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans as younger students to help support your family and living costs while you study.