Student Visa Question

As part of the requirements for a student visa is that I have 7200 pounds set aside for living expenses. I know that this must be in my account for 28 days before I apply for a visa. What I am wondering is if I am planning on using a student loan for living expenses, can I show a loan statement from the school to pass that requirement? Or do I actually need to have money in an account? I appreciate any help!!

I will be using a Federal Stafford Loan to pay for my course fees as well, and my Uni has told me that they will issue a Loan Letter that I can provide to the UKBA as proof. From what I have read on the UKBA website, as long as it is an original letter stating that the funds will be dispersed to the school, it is acceptable. You can read more in this document, on page 57 to be exact. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier4migrantguidance11.pdf

can I show a loan statement from the school to pass that requirement? Or do I actually need to have money in an account? I appreciate any help!!

Just to confirm what aBlessing has said-- Yes, to show proof of funding in my visa application from last year, I used a Loan Letter from my University that followed a specific UKBA format and it was fine. As long as you have proof of enough funds to cover fees & maintenance, you will be fine. 

If you plan to supplement your loans with your own personal money, then you will have to actually have that money in your account for the 28 days. (For example if you have $20,500 in loans, but the course fees + maintenance = $37,500, you will need to show an additional $17,000 in your account)

Thank you both!! Did either of you have an issue getting the extra funds for living expenses? I know the cap for stafford is at 20,500 and then I will have to try to get a stafford plus loan but i'm still waiting for my transcripts to come through so i'm a bit anxious. I don't have a spare $12,000 or so hanging around to have in my bank account so it is very nervewracking!!

I am also already in the UK on a prospective student visa so i'm hoping it wont be hard to work all this out from here!!

I am also already in the UK on a prospective student visa so i'm hoping it wont be hard to work all this out from here!!

I'm not quite sure how the rules work for prospective students in the UK. I am applying in from States.

 

Thank you both!! Did either of you have an issue getting the extra funds for living expenses? I know the cap for stafford is at 20,500 and then I will have to try to get a stafford plus loan but i'm still waiting for my transcripts to come through so i'm a bit anxious. I don't have a spare $12,000 or so hanging around to have in my bank account so it is very nervewracking!!

In regards to the extra money for maintenance/living expenses, not only did I have to cover that, but I had to supplement part of my course fees as well as PickledSakura mentioned. Luckily, I received my offer letter in April, which gave me time to save up plus save a little more due to the exchange rate fluctuation.

I plan on applying for the Stafford PLUS loan for the extra amount-sorry I wasn't specific. I know that it is based on your credit score so i'm just wondering if people have found it difficult to obtain those loans.

I plan on applying for the Stafford PLUS loan for the extra amount-sorry I wasn't specific. I know that it is based on your credit score so i'm just wondering if people have found it difficult to obtain those loans.

It was easy enough for me, but I had my mother co-sign everything which is probably what made it so easy. I applied for both a federal and private loan. I didn't have much of a credit history, but since my mother did, my private loan interest rates have been much lower. Sorry... that's probably not of much help!

I am also already in the UK on a prospective student visa so i'm hoping it wont be hard to work all this out from here!!

I don't know how easy/difficult it is to qualify for the Grad PLUS loans, but as far as I recall, I think all the "paperwork" for Stafford Loans was done electronically..so from confirming the amounts I wanted to take with the University to completing the MPN & Entrance counselling--it was all done online.  Like I said, I'm not sure about GradPLUS though..

Thanks for your help, I guess I will just have to wait and see as always!! 

I had no problems getting a GradPlus without a cosigner - and I'm only 22, without a huge amount of credit established. It's all positive - nothing bad on my record, but I feared it'd be considered "insufficient". All was well though, so don't worry too much if that's part of your concern. Good luck!