SCHOOL leavers in North Yorkshire are urged to apply now for a student loan, rather than waiting until they get their A-level results.

The student support section at North Yorkshire County Council says prospective students should apply sooner rather than later, to help it process applications as quickly as possible.

Last year the section used flexible working arrangements to take advantage of the Government's new computer system to process student loans and tuition fees. These arrangements helped ensure the section met all its targets.

Councillor John Fort, the county council's executive member for lifelong learning, said: "After last year's testing time we're hoping that things won't be so challenging this time around. Our target is to process as many applications as soon as possible. To do that we need to have students applying as soon as they can."

Loan applications should be made by post to: Student Support Section, County Hall, Northallerton DL7 8AD, or by phone on 0845 345 2153.

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, July 20, 2005