Education 'n' Work

Student finance

There are definite advantages in gaining a higher education qualification, but it's important to make sure that you know about the financial support, available for undergraduate students before applying for a course.

Applying in 2010-11

The application process for 2010-11 will probably begin in November 2009.

For more info, and to apply for grants, bursaries and student loans, visit:

Student Finance England or call 0845 300 50 90.

Tuition fees

  • The maximum tuition fee for a full-time course will be £3,290 for 2010-11
  • Full-time higher education students in England no longer have to pay any fees before starting their course, or while they are studying. Instead, you will now be able to put off paying tuition fees by taking out a "student loan for fees"
  • The fees will be paid direct to your university or college
  • Repayment of the student loan will not start until you’ve finished and are earning over £15,000.

Help towards other Higher Education expenses

There is a range of financial help available, but the actual amount you will be entitled is dependent upon personal and household income.

Maintenance grant

A maintenance grant up to £2,906 is available per year to pay for living costs for students whose family income is up to £25,000.

This does not have to be paid back. If your household income is between £30,000 and £50,000 you will be eligible for a partial grant.

In addition, students who are receiving the full maintenance grant, and also attending courses with tuition fees of £2,765 or more, will also be eligible for a bursary from their university/college, of at least £300. You will not have to pay this back either.

Special Support Grant

This grant worth up to £2,835 is specifically for new full-time students who already receive some form of means-tested benefit e.g. Income Support or Housing Benefit.

Neither Job Centre Plus nor HM Revenue and Customs will include this grant when working out your entitlement to benefits or tax credits.

The special support grant is based on your household income and does not have to be paid back. Plus you can still apply for a student loan for maintenance. But you would not be eligible for a maintenance grant.

Bursaries

Universities and colleges who charge more than £3,145 a year for a course will have to provide additional financial support of at least £305, to students on their courses who are receiving the full maintenance grant or special support grant.

This extra funding may take the form of a bursary or some other type of financial help, but that will depend on the university or college.

However many are providing more than £305. And the important point is that you will not have to pay it back. So it's important to speak to the university or college that you're interested in to find out what they offer.

Army Further Education Bursary Scheme

Want to get paid while you learn?

Army Further Education Bursary Scheme is a chance for young people leaving School and going to a Further Education College to study a vocational subject with a Bursary of up to £5,000 on offer!

It doesn't affect the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and is also available to any person up to the age of 32.

Find out more at the Army Jobs Website Further Education Bursary Scheme

Student loan for tuition fee

Eligible full-time students can get a student loan for tuition fee. The amount that you can borrow does not depend upon your household income.

The loan will cover the full amount you are charged for tuition fees up to £3,290 in 2010-11.

Student loan for maintenance

The student loan for maintenance is there to help with accommodation and other living costs and does not depend upon your household income.

If you’re living away from home, the maximum loan is £4,950 for 2010-11.

Figures and information available at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance or call 0845 300 50 90.

The same conditions apply for student loans for maintenance, as with student loans for fees. In short you don’t pay it back until you have finished your education.

PLEASE NOTE: if you receive a maintenance grant, then the maximum student loan for maintenance you can get will be reduced by up to £1,230. This is because that part of the maintenance grant is actually paid as a substitute for the student maintenance loan.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

Many young people do note realise the amount of help available through the Disabled Students' Allowance.

This is available to help with the extra costs that students have as a direct result of their disability and is not dependent on household income. Here are some of the areas it covers:

  • Dyslexia
  • Dyspraxia
  • Epilepsy
  • ADD
  • Diabetes
  • Sensory impairment
  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical disabilities

There are a range of allowances available to cover the cost of equipment or specialist support. This is available whether you are studying full-time or part-time.

Student Finance - Disability Support

Contact the Student Support Office on 01473 584600 for more information, and advice about how you can get an assessment for DSA.

Part-time study

Eligible part-time students are entitled to the following help:

  • Help with fees - You can get a non repayable grant for fees of up to £1,230.
  • Help with course costs - A non-repayable grant of up to £265 is available to help meet the cost of books, travel and course expenditure. Both of these grants are available to students from lower income households who are studying the equivalent of at least 50% of a full-time course.

Other financial help

For students in particular circumstances the government does provide additional financial help, speak to the Student Support Office for more information.

These include:

  • Childcare Grant
  • Dance & Drama Awards
  • Care Leavers’ Grant

For information on healthcare bursaries, please contact the Department of Health on 0845 358 6655.

Further sources of funding

  • Company traineeship/sponsorship: actual employment by a firm that supports you through higher education and includes in–house training.
  • Educational/charitable trust, bursaries and scholarships: available for particular courses or for people in certain circumstances. Look in prospectuses or funding directories for details. The Youth and Connexions centres in Bury, Ipswich and Lowestoft have a Funderfinder database which you can use to research charitable and educational trusts.
  • Access to Learning Funds (previously hardship loans and funds): you can only apply for these when you are actually at the university or college.

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Connexions Links



Helplines

  • Student Finance England
    0845 300 50 90
  • Student Finance - Disability Support
  • Suffolk County Council Student Support Office
    01473 584600
  • Essex County Council Student and Pupil Financial Support Service
    01245 245900
  • Cambridgeshire County Council Student Finance Service
    01223 717942
  • Norfolk County Council Student Support
    01603 222119


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