Student Finance England (SFE) try to process all application in 4 to 6 weeks. However, applications may take longer if they need to request clarifications or extra information. We recommend that you apply for the Master’s Loan at least three months before your course starts in case of any delays. You can apply for your online master’s before receiving your funding confirmation from Student Finance England. It is common to complete your application and hold an offer of a place before applying to student finance. Many prospective postgraduate students apply to several universities before selecting the one they eventually enrol on.