Where/When do I start???

Okay I have to complete the correspondece course at SSHM BEFORE I can even get an interview to apply to their BSc(Hons) degree program. That will take about 10 months (hopefully less). I have been doing research on the requirements for student visas and student loans. My real question is when should I really start delving into all of this? In order to get a student visa I have to be accepted into the school, right? Okay, so can I start contacting places that offer student loans on the hope that I get in? Or do I have to wait to get accepted? If I do get accepted I won't have all that much time before the term starts, and reading some of the posts on here it seems that the process takes a long time. Any advice would be much appreciated!! I know I have more than a year to go but I don't want to leave things to the last minute, especially since I have no idea what I'm doing!!

Ok, first step is get accepted to a proper degree programme.  Part of the acceptance process means proving you can finance your education.  So, you will need to apply for your loans, etc. after you get your preliminary acceptance.  You will get a 'final offer of placement' letter when you can prove your financing.  After you get your final offer letter, you can apply for your student visa.  You will need bank statements, final loan approval papers and your final offer letter from your uni in order to apply.  I started the process of applying, etc. about a year before I left.  It takes a while to organize it all and the wheels move slowly re: loans, etc. 

What's SSHM? if you don't mind me asking.  And terms start here usually in October or the last week of September. 

Thanks for the advice!! 
No I don't mind you asking at all! It's the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine. I guess I'm just anxious and want to be proactive. I hate having to wait for all this. But really, I don't think I can do anything until I've completed their correspondence course (they want you to have a background in science and the like, but mine's in business). That will insure that I at least get an interview. From there I will have to rely on my charming personality  and persuasion skills to get me into the program over all the rest of the applicants.   
But this website is one of the BEST research tools I've found!!

Best of luck to you...and welcome to UK Yankee!  This board has been an amazing source of information (and inspiration) for me--you'll find answers to all your questions here, I'm sure!