Partners
& Stakeholders
Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)
The Student Loans Company is owned by the BIS and the Scottish
Executive and it administers the policies set by them under the
relevant legislation and associated regulations. The details of
what the BIS requires the Student Loans Company to deliver are set
out each year in the Annual Performance and Resource Agreement.
BIS is responsible for deciding all matters of policy within
their remit for England and Wales. All decisions relating to
eligibility, the statutory procedures of application, payment and
repayment and how the various bodies deal with the student borrower
are decided by the BIS (not by any of the participating
agencies).
The Scottish Government
The Scottish Government's Education and Lifelong Learning
Department (ELLD) is responsible for student support policy for
Scottish students. They advise the Student Loans Company of how
they wish the Company to administer their policies for relevant
Scottish students.
The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL)
DEL is responsible for student support policy for students from
Northern Ireland. The Student Loans Company administers the Student
Finance Schemes for students from Northern Ireland under their
direction.
Welsh Assembly Government - Department for Education and
Skills
The Department aims to improve children's services, education and
training provision to secure better outcomes for learners,
business, and employers as set out in our strategic document, 'The
Learning Country'. It helps empower children, young people and
adults through education and training to enjoy a better quality of
life.
HM Revenue & Customs
The majority of current lending, for fees and grants, is repaid
through the UK tax system. This system of collection is known as
Income Contingent Repayment (ICR). The role of the HM Revenue &
Customs (previously known as the Inland Revenue) is collection of
these repayments when they become due.
Those who are in the UK Tax System have their repayments
deducted at source by their employers or through their
self-assessed tax returns.
Those who are not in the UK Tax System - for example, because they
live overseas and are paying their taxes in some other country -
are nevertheless obliged to make due repayments.
All the information about a customer's repayment status is sent
by SLC to the HM Revenue & Customs.
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
UCAS is the UK central organisation through which applications are
processed for entry to full-time undergraduate courses, HNDs and
university diplomas. UCAS promotes partnership between prospective
students, universities, colleges and schools.
Funding Councils
Higher Education & Funding Council for England
(HEFCE)
The HEFCE allocates public funds for teaching and research to
universities and colleges in England and advises the Government on
higher education policy.
Scottish Funding Council (SFC)
The Scottish Funding Council was established to distribute funds
to support teaching and research in Scottish higher education
institutes and to provide the Secretary of State with information
and advice relating to all aspects of higher education.
The council creates a single body providing a strategic overview
of tertiary education in Scotland and will secure a more coherent
system of high-quality learning and research.
Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW)
HEFCW funds higher education in Wales, using funding made
available by the Welsh Assembly Government to support education,
research and related activities at twelve higher education
institutions. HEFCW also funds the teaching activities of the Open
University in Wales and higher education courses at further
education colleges.
HE Representative Bodies
Association of Colleges (AoC)
AoC is the national representative body for colleges of further
education, including sixth form colleges in England and Wales. AoC
provides a national framework and a wide range of advisory services
to its members and maintains a programme of lobbying relevant
agencies.
Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education
(AMOSSHE)
AMOSSHE brings together those who have responsibility for the
leadership, management or co-ordination of a range of learner
support and guidance services for students.
Association of University Administrators (AUA)
AUA is a network of higher education professionals across the UK
and Eire. Members share extensive experience and promote good
practice through an annual conference, courses, networking,
electronic media, publications and a continuing professional
development award.
British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG)
BUFDG aims to promote good practice in university financial
management by organising training courses and conferences for its
members. It acts as a source of expertise that can be consulted on
all university financial matters.
GuildHE
GuildHE is the new name for SCOP (the Standing Conference of
Principals Ltd).
SCOP was established in 1978 as the representative organisation
for the colleges of higher education. Over the last few years,
membership has diversified and GuildHE now speak for HE colleges,
specialist institutions and some universities.
Higher Education Wales (HEW)
HEW's mission is to be the voice of Higher Education in
Wales.
NAMSS (National Association for Managers of Student
Services)
NAMSS develops and promotes quality standards of student service
practice. It represents the needs of students and student support
services and provides information for its members.
National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA)
NASMA acts as a focus for information exchange between
practitioners in the field of student funding. It brings together
professionals from across the sector, encouraging the free exchange
of ideas, and consultation with national decision makers on areas
concerning student finance and funding.
Universities Scotland
Universities Scotland exists to provide services to its members.
It represents, promotes and campaigns for the Scottish higher
education sector.
Universities UK
Universities UK is made up of executive heads of all UK
universities and exists to promote, encourage and develop the
universities by improving the funding, regulatory and marketing
environment of their operations.
Student Finance Sites
Student Finance England
Student Finance England provides services and information for
those in England who are interested in financial support for
students in Higher Education.
Student Finance NI
Student Finance NI provides online services and information for
those in Northern Ireland interested in the financial help
available to students in higher education.
Student Finance Wales
Student Finance Wales provides online services and information for
those in Wales interested in the financial help available to
students in higher education.
Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) provides online services
and information for those in Scotland interested in the financial
help available to students in higher education.
Other Sites of Interest
Lifelong Learning
The aim of Lifelong Learning is to provide education for adults
from those taking their first steps back into learning to
professionals updating their skills. This website contains
information designed to encourage, promote and develop lifelong
learning.
Directgov
Directgov is the UK government 's website providing public service
information and access to public sector services.
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
QCA is committed to building a world-class education and training
framework through regulation, development and modernisation of
curricula, assessments, examinations and qualifications.
Training and Development Agency for Schools
Formerly the Teacher Training Agency (TTA), the TDA's purpose is
to raise standards by improving the quality of training and
development for teachers and the wider school workforce.
National Union of Students (NUS)
NUS is a national campaigning voice for students. It carries out
educational research, offers legal advice, media work and fund
raising. The NUS organises the student identity card and arranges
thousands of discounts.
National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
National Bureau for Students with Disabilities is a national
charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with
any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and
employment.
Graduates
UK's official graduate careers website - information on finding
graduate jobs and postgraduate courses.