Student Support

The Student Support Section is responsible for funding 2,000 existing students and expects to receive about 1,700 new applications from students starting courses in September.

We are a small but efficient section, which has held a Charter Mark for 'Excellence in public service' since 1999.

In December 2005, the Student Support Section became part of Contact Islington and relocated to 222, Upper Street N1 1XR. This move provided access to a vastly improved and upgraded technology and customer service facility. The section is now in a position to build further on its excellent record, currently recognised in its holding of a Charter Mark for 'Excellence in public service' since 1999.

We will do our best to ensure that all students who submit a fully completed application by the closing date, receive any financial support they are entitled to at the start of their course. Since 1993-1994, over 99% of students who submitted an application by the closing date received their payment on the first day of term. Since 1997-1998, 100% have received their payment on the first day of term.

We try to improve our performance and the service we offer each year, but there may be times when you think we get it wrong. When this happens, we want to hear about it so that we can put things right as quickly as possible. Complaints about our service are important and we treat them very seriously. If you are unhappy about any aspect of our service, please let us know. We can only put things right if you tell us when they have gone wrong.

New students - higher education applications for student finance 2009/10

This is an important notice for all new students starting higher education courses from September 2009.

Student Finance England will now be dealing with all new Student Finance applications, starting with new students commencing their studies from September 2009.

For all 2009/10 related information and applications, please visit the Student Finance page on the Directgov website.

Alternatively, you can contact the Student Finance England customer support office by telephone on 0845 300 50 90.

Applications and documentation relating to 2009/10 will now need to be sent directly to Student Finance England at this address:

Student Finance England
PO Box 2100
Darlington
DL1 9HU

Please note: Islington Council are not permitted to photocopy and certify any original documents that Student Finance England may need. All documents should be sent directly to the above address.

Transport for students aged 16-19

Young people in full time further education under the age of 18 who live permanently in Islington can travel free by London buses and trams. In addition, there are concessionary fares and reductions available on London Tube trains, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and some national rail services.

You can also apply for travel support If you have significant special educational needs or disability

For further details about help with travel between home and school/college for young people aged 16 to 19 please see the policy 2009/10 at the bottom of the page.

If you are unhappy about any aspect of our service

If you are refused support and you believe that our decision is wrong, or if you believe that the level of support you are offered is wrong, you can appeal. If you want to appeal, please complete an Appeal Form. Your appeal will be dealt with by a senior member of staff, and you will receive a response within ten working days.

You can download a copy of the Appeal Form below.

If you are unhappy about the way we deal with your application or any aspect of the service we provide, or if you have any comments or suggestions on how we could improve our service, please write to:

The Head of Contact Islington
222 Upper Street
London
N1 1XR
Tel: 020 7527 2000
Email: contact@islington.gov.uk