Question Re. Maintenance for Student Tier 4 Visa App. HELP!

[Melanie87]

Hi All,

I've just got accepted as an international student for a UK university and I need to apply for a student Tier 4 visa. I'm solely relying on student loans to help fund my education, but I'm concerned about the Points-Based-System. I know I need to have proof of funding (in my case, a loan in my name) to apply for a visa, but my loan disbursement date isn't until October 3, 2011. The PBS requires me to have money in my bank account for at least 28 days before I even start applying for the visa. I have received confirmation that I will be covered by student loans, but the effective disbursement date is months away. How am I supposed apply for a Tier 4 visa if I don't have the actual funds in the bank?

Can someone, ANYONE, help me out?? I'm really confused/concerned about what to do.

[Greenie]

Is the loan from a private company e.g. A bank or is it from your government?

[Melanie87]

Thanks so much for responding!

They're all government issued loans (ie. PLUS and Stafford loans). I've already gotten confirmation from the PLUS that they've approved my loan of a generous amount, but I'm still so confused how this works. The whole point of me taking out loans is because I obviously cannot afford to supply my own funding for overseas education; how am I supposed to receive money in the bank 28 days prior to if the loans are disbursed until 3 months from now? Please tell me you have insight!

[Greenie]

If they are US federal loans you don't need to show you have had the funds for 28 days. You just need to make sure the funds are enough to cover your fees and living costs as specified in guidance. Read tier 4 policy guidance it explains about loans from your government.