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Immigration status changes

My immigration status has changed whilst at university. What should I do?

If you receive refugee status after starting your course, you should usually be eligible to receive student finance for the following academic year. For example a student who is granted refugee status whilst studying in Year 1 of their course will normally be eligible to receive student finance at the beginning of Year 2.

 

If you are still awaiting the results of your asylum claim and there is a development whilst you are studying at university, it is best to discuss this with legal advisors such as your solicitor and CORAM Legal Centre.

There a few important steps to take when you find out your immigration status has changed

1. Speak with an educational advisor at university so they can guide you on steps to take and people to contact. This can include Student Services and the Widening Participation team at your university, as they are a good point of first contact. You may also want to speak to an organisation like UKCISA who can provide advice about education entitlements.

 

2. Seek legal advice from your solicitor or an advisory group such as CORAM Legal Centre about the implications of the changes of your status.

 

3. Inform the university of the change because this can affect your fee status and entitlements.

 

4. Inform Student Finance or any organisation that is funding your studies e.g. charitable trusts, grants and scholarship networks.

1. Speak with an educational advisor at university so they can guide you on steps to take and people to contact. This can include Student Services and the Widening Participation team at your university, as they are a good point of first contact. You may also want to speak to an organisation like UKCISA who can provide advice about education entitlements.

 

2. Seek legal advice from your solicitor or an advisory group such as CORAM Legal Centre about the implications of the changes of your status.

 

3. Inform the university of the change because this can affect your fee status and entitlements.

 

4. Inform Student Finance or any organisation that is funding your studies e.g. charitable trusts, grants and scholarship networks.

If you receive refugee status after starting your course, you should usually be eligible to receive student finance for the following academic year. For example a student who is granted refugee status whilst studying in Year 1 of their course will normally be eligible to receive student finance at the beginning of Year 2.

 

If you are still awaiting the results of your asylum claim and there is a development whilst you are studying at university, it is best to discuss this with legal advisors such as your solicitor and CORAM Legal Centre.

Here's more information

Click here to return to our main Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for more information about higher education

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Join our training to understand the barriers to university for refugee and asylum-seeking students and to get the skills and confidence you need to move forward.

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