The advice contained within this page applies to undergraduate students only.
- What are Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR)?
- What evidence do I need for a CPR application?
- Can I apply for CPR for previous academic years?
- Where do I send my evidence?
What are Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR)?
Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR) allow you to explain to Student Finance England (SFE) why you took longer than expected to complete your course or needed to repeat, restart, suspend or withdraw from your studies.
You may be able to receive an extra year of Student Finance if circumstances beyond your control affected your studies.
Examples include:
- A physical or mental health condition
- A personal or family crisis
- Bereavement
- Other significant circumstances that affected your ability to study
CPR decisions are made by Student Finance England and are not guaranteed. It's important to provide clear evidence showing how your circumstances affected your studies.
What evidence do I need for a CPR application?
Your evidence must clearly show:
- What happened
- When it happened
- How it affected your ability to study
You should provide:
Professional evidence
Evidence from a professional who can confirm your circumstances, such as:
- GP or hospital letters
- Medical certificates
- Letters from a social worker
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
Supporting statement from your tutor or lecturer
If your tutor or lecturer was aware of your circumstances, they can provide a letter explaining how the situation affected your ability to study.
Personal statement or covering letter
Include a letter explaining:
- Why you are applying for CPR
- What circumstances affected you
- How your studies were impacted during that time
Can I apply for CPR for previous academic years?
Yes. You can ask Student Finance England to consider CPR for previous academic years if you have evidence to support your claim.
Where do I send my evidence?
CPR evidence should be sent by post.
To make sure you send your documents to the correct address, contact Student Finance England before posting your evidence:
Contact Student Finance England
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