Don't know if this helps anyone but the system for applying for student loans seems to have changed AGAIN and they now want people to apply online BUT if you want a paper PR1 (application form), these can no longer be provided by your local education authority but it is necessary to contact Student Finance Direct to request one.   The information in the database is, therefore, no longer strictly correct, LEAs just give the 0845 6077577 no but I have found a freephone number 0800 405010 which, after a very complicated menu, does get through to a person who was, in fact, very helpful.   Perhaps this info could be added to the database in the correct form, I was not sure how to input the additional info.