School Essentials Loan
Need a little help with the school uniforms?
Available exclusively to existing members, our School Essentials Loans are easy to apply for, flexible and affordable.
Available between January and September, these loans can help spread the expense of new school uniforms and gym kits, as well as other essentials like computers, equipment etc.
If you don't currently have a loan with us, you may also want to check out our Family Loans, which can also be used for this purpose, as well as others.
How much can you apply for?
| Borrow | Weekly Repayments | Interest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| £100 | from £2.50 per week | 42.6% APR |
| £200 | from £5.00 per week | 42.6% APR |
| £250 | from £6.00 per week | 42.6% APR |
| £300 | from £7.00 per week | 42.6% APR |
| £350 | from £8.50 per week | 42.6% APR |
Key Features
- Available to existing members
- Apply for up to £350
- Repayments from just £6.00 per week for a loan of £250
- Spread your repayments over up to 12 months
- No loan arrangement fees, set-up costs or early repayment fees if you want to settle the loan early
Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for this loan if:
- You have been a member of Sheffield Credit Union for 6 months or more
- You have income of at least £500 per month (excluding housing benefit)
- You do not have more than 1 other loan with Sheffield Credit Union currently
- You are willing to commit to a savings plan of £1 per week
- You are not currently in an IVA (Individual Voluntary Agreement)
- You have not had a Debt Relief Order or Bankruptcy Order within the last 2 years
Before You Apply...
Either make sure you have your last 3 months' bank statements ready to send
OR if you have mobile or online banking, you can give your bank consent to transfer your last 90 days of transaction data, using the secure link provided in the application
You will also need to send:
- Proof of any income not showing on your bank statements
- If you receive Universal Credits, a copy of your breakdown showing the elements you receive
- If you are self-employed, a copy of your latest Self Assessment tax return
What Are Your Chances?
- You are More Than a Score to us, so we won’t make a decision just based on your credit score
- You will have a better chance of being approved if you don't currently have a loan with us, or have a relatively low balance outstanding
- You will have a better chance of your loan being approved if you have a good recent credit record (e.g. not missing payments elsewhere, no recent defaults, no outstanding County Court Judgements etc.)
- If you have a poorer credit file and have built up savings with us, you may be more likely to be approved for a Savings Based Loan
Frequently Asked Questions
Our School Essentials Loan is exclusive to existing members only.
Please note if you have an existing School Essentials Loan or Household Goods Loan, you are not eligible to apply, until you have repaid your balance in full.
If you are a new member why not check out our Family Loan.
Yes! We accept employment income and benefit income. As long as you receive the minimum requirement of £500 per month, and can supply proof of all your income.
No. Our School Essentials Loan has to be repaid in full. Once repaid you can apply for another School Essentials Loan.
Yes. We offer a paper loan application. You can request one by calling our telephone helpline or emailing our admin team. We will then send your loan application in the post. Alternatively you can collect one from our office.
Alongside your application form, we will also need the following:
- Your most recent three months' bank statements.
- If you receive Universal Credit, a copy of your payment breakdown, showing the elements you receive and any deductions.
- If you are Self-Employed, a copy of your most recent self-assessment tax return, or a letter from your accountant confirming your income.
- If you have any other income not shown on your bank statements, proof of income - such as a wage slip if you are paid in cash, or letters for any benefits or pensions.
Calculator
APR 42.6%
I'd like to borrow (£200 - £7500)
For loans of £7,500+ please contact the office for latest rates.
Over a period of:
Representative example
- The interest rate you pay, and the amount you are able to borrow may vary depending on your saving and loan record with Sheffield Credit Union.
- All figures given on this website are for your general information only, and give a rough guide to loan repayments. Any statements on this website do not purport to be authoritative or legally binding.
- All information contained on this web page is correct at time of publishing. Sheffield Credit Union accepts no responsibility for errors due to changes in rates or offers which have occurred after this date. You are advised to check with our offices for up-to-date rates and offers.
- All repayment values are inclusive of interest.
All loans are provided subject to status and affordability and in accordance with our Lending Policy and loan product Terms & Conditions. Please be aware that you may pay more interest and be subject to additional charges if your loan repayments are not received on time. Repayments are reported to Credit Reference Agencies including Experian which could affect your credit record if you do not keep up to date with your repayments.