A GUIDE TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FOR HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS
2008/09
Contents
1 Introduction
4
5 Extra help available from your college
25
• Where to apply
4
• The Access to Learning Fund (in England)
25
• Students who want to study abroad
5
6 Help if you are studying on a full-time
26
• Changes to student finance from 2008
6
distance learning course
2 When and how to apply for financial help
7
7 Help if you are studying on a part-time course 27
for full-time courses
8 Other help available
29
3 Financial help for new full-time students
10
• Training bursaries for teacher training
29
(students starting their course in
in England
September 2008 or later)
• National Health Service bursaries for health
29
• What help is available?
10
profession courses
• Tuition fees
11
• National Health Service bursaries for
30
• Help towards tuition fees -
11
medical and dental courses
Student Loans for Fees
• Help for students studying approved
30
• Maintenance Grant
12
social work courses
• Special Support Grant
13
• Thinking about a career in a profession?
31
• Bursaries 14
• Help for students on designated dance
31
• Student Loans for Maintenance
15
and drama courses of higher education
• Other financial help for full-time students
17
at private institutions
• If you have children and adult dependants
17
• Postgraduate funding
32
• If you have a disability, mental health
18
• Research councils
32
condition or specific learning disability
• Educational trusts and charities
32
• Help available if you have to pay extra
18
• Benefits
33
travel costs as a result of your course
• Tax credits
33
• College Fee Loans for specific second
19
• European study
33
degrees at Oxford and Cambridge
9 How to find out more
34
4 Financial help for existing full-time
20
• Contact points and other information
34
students (students starting their course
before September 2008)
• Other sources of funding information
35
• Students who started their course between
20
• Useful publications
36
1 September 2006 and 31 August 2008
10Repaying your student loan
37
• Maintenance Grant
21
• Special support Grant
22
11 What to do if you are not satisfied
39
• Students who started their course before
22
• What you should do if you want to complain
39
1 September 2006
• What you should do if you want to appeal
40
• Help towards tuition fees
23
• Student Loans for Tuition Fee Contributions
23
• Higher Education Grant
24
3
1 Introduction
This booklet sets out the financial help the
But, if you live in any of the LAs listed below, you
Government has put in place for 2008/2009 for
will need to contact the SLC's Customer Support
students whose homes are in England (whether
Office on 0845 6077577 to make your initial
they are studying in England, Wales, Scotland or
application for support. Your LA will not be involved
Northern Ireland). It applies to the 2008/2009
in the application process for this year and you will
academic year only.
need to contact the SLC if you have any questions.
This booklet is for guidance only and does not
• London Borough of Brent
cover all circumstances. It is not a statement of
• Darlington Borough Council
the law. Students should speak to their local
• London Borough of Hackney
authority (LA) student finance office (or in some
• Hartlepool Borough Council
cases the Student Loans Company (SLC) - see
• North Yorkshire County Council
'Where to apply' below) or their university for more
• Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
information.
• South Tyneside Council
In this guide, your 'college' means the institution
• Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
where you are taking, or thinking of taking, a
• London Borough of Southwark
course of higher education. This can be a college,
• Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
a university, or a lead school if you are following a
• York City Council
course of School-Centred Initial Teacher Training
(SCITT).
Your entitlement to support will not be affected
by this change.
Where to apply
If you normally live in Wales, you should contact
UK nationals
the local authority (LA) for the area you normally
There are different arrangements depending on
live in.
where you normally live.
You can find the contact details for LAs, along with
If you normally live in England, the local
other information about student financial support
authority (LA) whose area you normally live in will
services, on the Student Finance Wales website.
usually consider your application, even if you study
• www.studentfinancewales.co.uk (in English)
outside that area.
• www.cyllidmyfyrwyrcymru.co.uk (in Welsh)
Or, you can call the Student Finance Wales
Contact Centre on 0845 602 8845.
4
1 Introduction
If you normally live in Scotland, you should
Students who want to study abroad
contact the Student Awards Agency for Scotland
(UK and other EU nationals)
(SAAS) for information about arrangements in
If you are planning to study abroad as part of your
Scotland. Their address is:
course, you may be able to get help through the
The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Erasmus exchange programme if the country in
Gyleview House
which you want to study is part of the new Lifelong
3 Redheughs Rigg
Learning Programme.
You should contact the
South Gyle
European Office in your university or college
Edinburgh EH12 9HH.
for more information. The scheme in the UK is
Phone: 0845 111 1711
currently administered by the British Council.
E-mail: [email address]
Please note that they cannot answer other
Website: www.saas.gov.uk
questions about student finance. Their address is:
If you normally live in Northern Ireland, you
British Council Wales
should contact the Education and Library Board
28 Park Place
(ELB) in whose area you normally live.
Cardiff
CF10 3QE.
You can find the contact details for the ELBs at
Phone: 029 2039 7405
www.studentfinanceni.co.uk
E-mail: [email address]
Website: www.britishcouncil.org/socrates-
Other EU nationals
erasmus.htm.
If you are an EU national (that is, a national of
a member state of the European Union) or the
family member of an EU national, you can get
information about the financial support
arrangements while you are studying at college
in England from the SLC EU Customer Services
Team. Their address is:
EU Customer Services Team
PO Box 89
Darlington
England DL1 9AZ.
Phone: 0141 243 3570 (10am to 4pm)
Website: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance-eu
E-mail: [email address]
5
Changes to student finance from 2008
The Government plans to introduce the following
•
Support for Students on full-time distance
changes to the student finance system from
learning courses. From September 2007
September 2008.
students on ‘designated’ full-time distance
learning courses. can apply for a fee grant of
•
Increase in loan and grant amounts for full-
up to £1,180 a year and a course grant of up to
time students. For full-time students, loans and
£255 a year. They may also qualify for Disabled
grants for tuition fees, and loans and grants for
Students' Allowances. Disabled students who
living and other costs, have been increased in
are doing a full-time course by distance learning
line with inflation (but see ‘increases in Disabled
because their disability prevents them from
Students' Allowances (DSAs) for full-time,
attending the institution may be eligible for the
part-time and postgraduate students’ below).
full-time student support package.
•
Increase in grant amounts for part-time
•
Fee loans for students on flexible
students. For part-time students, the amount
postgraduate courses for the initial training
of fee grant available has been increased. For
of teachers. New students starting flexible
example, those studying the equivalent of 75%
PGCE courses from September 2008, including
or more of a full-time course may get up to
courses lasting from six weeks to one year, will
£1,180 a year, as well as a course grant of up
be eligible for a fee loan to cover the cost of
to £255.
their fees.
•
Increases in Disabled Students' Allowances
•
Repayment Holidays. Students due to start
(DSAs) for full-time, part-time and
repaying their student loan on or after April 2012
postgraduate students. From September 2008,
may be entitled to take a break from their loan
the maximum amount of DSAs for ‘non-medical
repayments for up to five years. This means a
helpers’ and for disabled postgraduate students
student starting a three-year course from
will be increased by around 60%. The maximum
September 2008 and leaving higher education
allowance for non-medical helpers is being
in 2011 (or later) may qualify for a repayment
increased to £20,000 for full-time disabled
holiday. Students due to start repaying their loan
undergraduate students and to £15,000 for
before the April 2012 qualifying date will not be
part-time disabled undergraduates. The
eligible for a repayment holiday.
maximum DSA for postgraduate students is
being increased to £10,000
•
Loans for long courses For new full-time
students starting their course from September
•
Increase in Maintenance Grant income levels
2008, the Long Courses Loan has been
for new full-time students. For new full-time
introduced. The income level for eligibility for this
students starting their course from September
means-tested loan is £39,780 and is based on
2008, household income levels for the
the length of the course being more than 30
Maintenance Grant have been increased so that
weeks and three days in the academic year.
more students qualify for a grant. New full-time
This loan will be paid at the same time as any
students will be eligible for a full Maintenance
maintenance loan is paid.
Grant if their household income is £25,000 or
less, or a partial Maintenance Grant if their
household income is between £25,000 and
£60,005. These changes will also apply to new
full-time students who are eligible for the Special
Support Grant.
6
2 When and how to apply for financial help
for full-time courses
Summary
This section gives details on the steps you need to take to apply for help, when you should make your
application, and what happens when you've made it.
New students
If you are starting a higher education course
in or after September 2008, the table below sets out what you
need to do to apply for financial support for a full-time course or a part-time initial teacher-training course.
Your application will generally take six to eight weeks to process.
Please check 'Where to apply' in section 1 to see whether you need to apply to your local authority
(LA) or to the Student Loans Company (SLC).
If you plan to study part-time, please see section 7 of this guide.
Step 1
You should start thinking about applying for financial help as soon as you have applied for
a place on a course.
If you want to find out what help you might be entitled to, visit the calculator on-line at
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Do not wait until you have a confirmed place on a course before applying for financial
help - simply quote the course that you think you are most likely to attend. If your
course changes after you apply, tell your LA (or the SLC if you have made your
application there) straight away.
Step 2
You can apply on-line at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance from March 2008. The website will
have information about the exact date the on-line service will be available.
You can also get a paper application form by contacting your LA (or the SLC). Paper
application forms will be also be available from March 2008.
Step 3
Fill in your application form.
You can get further information about student loans in the guide 'Student loans - A guide to
terms and conditions' which you can download from www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. You
can also get a copy from your LA or by calling Student Support on 0800 731 9133 (textphone
0800 328 8988). 'Student loans - A guide to terms and conditions' is also available on audio
tape, in Braille and in large print.
Step 4
Return your application form. Make sure you send all the information you are asked for when
you return your application.
If you decide to take out either a Student Loan for Tuition Fees, or a Student Loan for living
costs (or both),
make sure you provide your National Insurance number. If you do not
provide your National Insurance number, or you provide an incorrect one, your loan
instalments may not be paid.
To guarantee you get a payment at the start of the first term of your course, make sure you
and your family fill in and return your application, along with all the necessary proof, by the
relevant deadline. The deadlines are as follows.
For new students who choose
not to
25 April 2008
provide financial information on their form.
Other new students
27 June 2008
If you miss the deadline, there is no guarantee that you will receive a payment at the
start of term.
7
2 When and how to apply for financial help
for full-time courses
Existing students
If you started your higher education course
before September 2008 the table below sets out what you need
to do to make your application for financial support for a full-time course or a part-time initial teacher-training
course. Your application will generally take six to eight weeks to process.
Step 1
If you started your course before September 2008 and you have already applied for financial
support, you will automatically be contacted with details about how to apply, so you do not
need to contact your LA or the SLC. You can also apply on-line at
www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk. The website will have information about when the on-line
service will be available.
If you are an existing student and you have not applied for student finance before, you
should use the instructions for new students.
Step 2
Fill in your application.
You can get further information about student loans in the guide 'Student loans - A guide to
terms and conditions' which you can download from www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. You can
also get a copy from your LA or by calling Student Support on 0800 731 9133 (textphone
0800 328 8988). 'Student loans - A guide to terms and conditions' is also available on audio
tape, in Braille and in large print.
Step 3
Return your application form. Make sure you send all the information you are asked for when
you return your application.
If you decide to take out either a Student Loan for Tuition Fees, a Student Loan for living costs
(or both), make sure you provide your National Insurance number.
If you do not provide your
National Insurance number, or you provide an incorrect one, your loan instalments may
not be paid.
To guarantee you get a payment at the start of the first term of your course, make sure you
and your family fill in and return your application, along with all the necessary proof, by the
relevant deadline. The deadlines are as follows.
For
current students who choose
not to
25 April 2008
provide financial information on their form.
Other
current students 30
May
2008
If you miss your deadline, there is no guarantee that you will receive a payment at the
start of term.
8
2 When and how to apply for financial help
for full-time courses
Late applications
• Your money will be paid direct into your bank
If you decide that you want to apply for financial
account after you register on your course at the
help after your course starts, you must apply no
start of term.
later than nine months after the first day of the
•
Your money will not be in your bank account
academic year of your course. For example, if
until three working days after your university
your course starts in autumn 2008, you have
or college have confirmed that you are
until 31 May 2009 to apply. However, in certain
attending your course.
circumstances this limit can be extended -
• If you have taken out a loan to cover all or part
contact your LA (or the SLC) for advice.
of your tuition fees, this will be paid direct to your
What happens next
university or college.
In summary, the following happens once you have
If you want more information about how your
sent in your application along with any evidence.
eligibility is assessed, and about how much you
get is worked out, you can get a leaflet called
• Your local authority (or the SLC) will check your
'Student finance - how you are assessed and paid'
application and the evidence you have provided
which explains this in more detail. You can
to make sure that you are eligible to receive
download a copy from
financial help. If you are eligible, we will work out
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance, and you can
how much financial help you may be entitled to.
also get a copy from your LA or by calling Student
• Once this has been completed (and if your
Support on 0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328
application is in order), your local authority (or
8988). 'Student finance - how you are assessed
the SLC) will send your application to Student
and paid' is also available on audio tape, in Braille
Finance Direct (a service managed by the
and in large print.
Student Loans Company in partnership with
local authorities and the Department for
How to check the progress of your
Innovation, Universities & Skills) to be
application on-line
processed.
The Student Finance Direct 'customer portal'
• Student Finance Direct will send you notice of
allows all students in England to access their
the support you are entitled to. If you have
details on-line. You can update your customer
provided all the information you need to, this will
details, view letters that have been sent to you
normally be six to eight weeks after you sent in
and view the details of scheduled payments.
your application.
You can find the customer portal at
www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk
9
3 Financial help for new full-time students
Summary
New students
This section gives details of the main types of
What help is available?
financial help available to students who are
While you are at college you will have two main
starting a course of higher education in or after
costs to find - your fees and your living costs.
September 2008.
There is help available towards both. The main
Important information
types of help available to new students starting
Students who started their course
before
their course from September 2008 are shown in
1 September 2008 will be entitled to the package
the table below.
of support they were receiving in the previous
academic year. These are summarised in the
section starting on page 20.
Type of help available
Where can I find more information?
Student Loan for Tuition Fees
See page 11.
Maintenance Grant (or Special Support Grant)
See pages 12 and 13.
Student Loans for Maintenance
See page 15.
Bursaries
See page 14.
Extra help if you have a disability
See page 18.
Extra help if you have children or adult dependants
See page 17.
College fee loan for graduate entrants to specified
See page 19.
undergraduate courses at Oxford or Cambridge
Please note that if you think that you may receive an NHS bursary while you are studying
(see pages 29 and 30), you should contact your local authority as this may affect the support
you can receive.
10
3 Financial help for new full-time students
Tuition fees
From September 2008, universities and colleges of higher education in England can charge up to £3,145 a
year for their full-time courses. The amount charged may vary between courses, as well as between
universities - check the UCAS website (www.ucas.ac.uk) or the university's prospectus. We expect that the
amount will increase each year in line with inflation.
Different fee arrangements apply to universities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The table below
shows the amount of tuition fees which will be paid each year in the four parts of the UK.
Students who live in England and
Fees in 2008/2009
choose to study in:
England
£3,145
Wales
£3,145
Scotland
£1,700
Medicine courses in Scotland
£2,700
Northern Ireland
£3,145
Remember that the amounts you will pay for the second and subsequent years of your course will depend
on yearly increases in line with inflation and will be finalised nearer the time.
Help towards tuition fees - Student Loans for Tuition Fees
No eligible student has to pay fees before they start university or while they are studying.
Instead, students are able to apply for the Student Loan for Fees to cover these costs. The Student Loans
Company (SLC) pays the fees direct to the college on students' behalf. Students will repay these loans once
they have left university and are earning over £15,000. Interest on the loan is linked to inflation, so what you
repay will be worth what you borrowed.
Who's eligible?
Eligible students in higher education who start their course in 2008 (and existing
students who were eligible for a student loan for tuition fees in 2006 or 2007).
How much?
The fee you are charged, but no more than £3,145 in an academic year.
How is it paid?
Paid direct to your university or college.
Is it repayable?
Yes. But you only start repaying it when you have left your course and are earning
over £15,000. And then you repay it at 9% of your earnings above £15,000. So,
someone earning £18,000 - the average starting salary for a graduate - would be
paying back £5.19 a week.
Note 1: New students starting flexible postgraduate Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses from September
2008, including courses lasting from six weeks to one year, will be eligible for a fee loan to cover the cost of
their fees. Existing students on flexible ITT courses will continue to have their fees paid by the Training and
Development Agency for Schools (TDA).
11
3 Financial help for new full-time students
Maintenance Grant
New students can apply for a Maintenance Grant of up to £2,835 a year. How much you get will depend on
your income and that of your household. The Maintenance Grant does not need to be paid back.
Who's eligible?
New higher education students starting their course in 2008.
How much?
How much you get depends on your household income.
If you are starting your course in 2008, the table below is a guide to how much grant
you could get.
Household income
How much? (See notes.)
£25,000 or less
Full £2,835 grant
Between £25,001 and £60,005
Partial grant
More than £60,005
No grant
Your LA (or the SLC if you live in an area testing new student finance arrangements)
will work this out when you make your application for help.
How is it paid?
In three instalments, one at the start of each term, along with any Student Loan for
Maintenance payments..
Is it repayable?
No. You will not have to repay this help.
Note 1: Students in lower-income households will have part of their living costs met through a non-
repayable Maintenance Grant. Their entitlement to repayable support through a Student Loan for
Maintenance will be reduced to reflect this. In practice, this means that the amount of maintenance loan a
student can receive will be reduced by £1 for every £1 of Maintenance Grant entitlement up to £1,260.
Note 2: New Initial Teacher Training (ITT) students who are studying for 10 weeks or more during the
academic year (apart from those on courses leading to a first degree) will receive a minimum Maintenance
Grant of £1,260, no matter what their household income. If they are studying for between six and 10 weeks
during the academic year, they will receive at least £630.
12
3 Financial help for new full-time students
Special Support Grant
If you are eligible to receive a Special Support Grant you will not be eligible to receive a Maintenance Grant.
The Special Support Grant pays up to £2,835, depending on your household's income. It is intended to help
with extra course-related costs such as books, equipment, travel or childcare. Entitlement to the Special
Support Grant is worked out in the same way as the Maintenance Grant but will not affect the amount of
Maintenance Loan you may be entitled to receive. If you claim income-related benefits, the Special Support
Grant will not be taken into account by Jobcentre Plus or your local authority's Housing Benefit section when
working out your income.
You may be eligible to receive a Special Support Grant instead of a Maintenance Grant if you:
• are a lone parent (single parent);
• have a partner who is also a student - and one or both of you are responsible for a child (or a young
person aged under 20 who is in full-time education below higher-education level);
• have a disability, and qualify for the disability premium or severe disability premium;
• are deaf and qualify for Disabled Students' Allowances;
• have been treated as incapable of work for a continuous period of at least 28 weeks;
• are from abroad and entitled to an Income Support urgent cases payment because you are temporarily
without funding for a period of up to six weeks;
• are waiting to go back to a course after taking agreed time out because of an illness or caring
responsibility that has now come to an end;
• are aged 60 or over.
If you're not sure whether to apply for the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant, ask your local
authority (or the SLC) for advice.
13
3 Financial help for new full-time students
Bursaries
Bursaries are extra financial help for students from the university or college they go to. You do not have
to repay any of this help.
English universities and colleges who decide to charge fees of over £2,835 will have to provide extra
financial help to students on a low income who receive the full £2,835 Maintenance Grant or Special
Support Grant. Many universities and colleges also give bursaries to students who are eligible for some
of the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. Financial help could be given in a variety of ways -
for example, cash or discounted accommodation costs.
Who's eligible?
New students (and existing students who were eligible for a bursary in 2006 or 2007)
from families on a low income. Students who receive a full Maintenance Grant or
Special Support Grant are guaranteed a minimum bursary. Many students eligible for
part of the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant will also get a bursary
depending on the university or college they go to.
How much?
How much depends on the university or college.
Students will receive a bursary which will at least match the difference between the
tuition fee charged and the £2,835 Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant.
So, students who receive the full £2,835 Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant
and who are being charged the full £3,145 tuition fee will receive a bursary of at least
£310 from their university or college. However, many institutions are offering more than
this. For example, in 2007/2008, the typical bursary was £1,000 for a student receiving
the maximum Maintenance Grant for a course charging the full £3,070.
Many universities and colleges are also giving bursaries to students eligible for part of
the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant as well. Lots of universities are
offering considerably more than the minimum.
Check the university or college website that you're interested in and find out
what it offers, or use the Directgov bursary map to find out what's on offer
(bursarymap.direct.gov.uk/).
How is it paid?
This will vary from institution to institution - check the university or college website to
find out more.
Is it repayable?
No. You will not have to repay this help.
14
3 Financial help for new full-time students
Student Loans for Maintenance
Student Loans for Maintenance help with your living costs such as accommodation, food, clothes, travel and
so on. Interest on the loan is linked to inflation only, so what you repay will be worth what you borrowed.
Who's eligible?
Eligible students aged under 60 at the start of their course.
How much?
The table below shows the maximum loan that you can get in 2008/2009. These
amounts are lower in the final year of your course as you will leave higher education
at the end of the summer term and will not need financial support over the summer
holiday.
Maximum Student Loans for Maintenance in 2008/2009
Full-year rates
Students
living away from their parents'
Up to
£6,475
home and studying
in London
Students
living away from their parents'
Up to
£4,625
home and studying
elsewhere
Students
living at their parents' home
Up to
£3,580
(London and elsewhere)
Final-year rates
Students
living away from their parents'
Up to
£5,895
home and studying
in London
Students
living away from their parents'
Up to
£4,280
home and studying
elsewhere
Students
living at their parents' home
Up to
£3,235
(London and elsewhere)
How is it paid?
The SLC will usually pay your loan in three instalments - one at the start of each term.
They will make payments for most students straight into your bank or building society
account. You will receive a payment schedule from the SLC which tells you how you
will get your money.
Is it repayable?
Yes, but you only start repaying after leaving university and are earning over £15,000
(see section 10 on repayments).
15
3 Financial help for new full-time students
Some features of the loans scheme are set out
What if my course is longer than normal?
below.
You can get an income-assessed Long Courses
'London' rate applies to students on courses at the
Loan to cover each extra week you have to be on
University of London or at colleges within the area
your course above 30 term-time weeks (plus the
which includes the City of London and the
short holidays). If you have to be on the course for
Metropolitan Police District.
45 weeks or more in any 12-month period, you
will get an extra amount of loan as if you were
You may be taking a postgraduate course of initial
studying for 52 weeks. The most you can get each
teacher training (ITT), either full-time or part-time.
week is as follows.
If it is full-time, you can get a loan at the relevant
full-year rate if the course lasts for only one year. If
Loan rate for each extra week
it lasts for more than one year, the loan in the final
year is at the final-year rate. If it is a part-time ITT
£103 (in London)
course, the maximum loan will depend on how
much full-time study your course involves. Your LA
£81 (elsewhere)
(or the SLC if you live in an area testing new
student finance arrangements) can give you more
£53 (parental home)
advice.
£112 (abroad)
If you receive an NHS bursary, under the terms of
the bursary you can also apply for a reduced
amount of the Student Loan for Maintenance. This
What if I'm studying abroad?
special rate of loan is not based on your income.
If you study abroad for at least 50% of an
academic quarter (normally equivalent to a term)
If you are studying on an undergraduate course
as part of your course, you may be eligible for an
and are receiving a social work bursary you may
overseas rate of loan for that period. In 2008/2009,
also be eligible for a reduced amount of the
the maximum loan for study overseas will be
Student Loan for Maintenance and for grants
£5,510 (£4,790 if you study abroad during the final
towards living costs. The usual assessment of your
year of your course). If your course is longer than
household's income will apply.
normal, you can get a Long Course Loan of up to
Note: Some students on particular courses are
£112 for each extra week that you spend abroad
supported for second undergraduate degrees.
attending your course.
Those courses eligible for funding vary from year
to year. From
September 2009, new students who
are already graduates will
not receive
maintenance support on the following courses.
• Landscape architect
• Landscape designer
• Landscape manager
• Town planner
• Town and country planner
16
3 Financial help for new full-time students
Other financial help for full-time students
Adult Dependants' Grant
If you have a partner (including a partner of the
If you have children or adult dependants
same sex) or another adult, usually a member of
There is a range of extra help if you have
your family (but not any of your children), who
dependants, and brief details are set out below.
depends on you financially, you may be eligible for
this help. You could receive up to £2,575 a year,
Childcare Grant
and how much you get depends on your income
The Childcare Grant is available for full-time
and that of your dependants (including your
students with dependent children in 'registered or
husband, wife or partner). You will not have to
approved' childcare. You could receive 85% of your
repay this help.
actual childcare costs in term times and during
holidays, up to £148.75 a week for one child, and
Child Tax Credit from HM Revenue &
up to £255 a week for two or more children. How
Customs (HMRC)
much help you get depends on your income and
Students with dependent children are eligible for
that of your dependants (including your husband,
Child Tax Credit. There is more information on
wife or partner). You will not have to repay this
Child Tax Credits on page 33 of this booklet, or
help. You can apply for the childcare grant before
you can call 0845 300 3900 or visit
or during your course. You cannot get this grant if
www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
you or your husband, wife or partner receives the
childcare element of the Working Tax Credit from
If you need more information about any of the
HM Revenue & Customs.
above grants, look at our guide called 'Childcare
Grant and other support for full-time student
Parents' Learning Allowance
parents in higher education'.
This helps with course-related costs for full-time
The guide is available from our website
students with dependent children. You could
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. Your LA (or the
receive up to £1,470 a year. How much you get
SLC) can also give you a copy, or you can get one
depends on your income and that of your
by phoning the Student Finance information line
dependants (including your husband, wife or
on 0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988).
partner). You will not have to repay this help.
'Childcare Grant and other support for full-time
student parents in higher education' is also
available on audio tape, in Braille and in large print.
17
3 Financial help for new full-time students
If you have a disability, mental health
If you need more information about any of the
condition or specific learning difficulty
above, look at our guide called 'Bridging the Gap'.
Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) may be
The guide is available from our website at
available if you have a disability, mental health
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. Your LA (or the
condition, or specific learning difficulty. Brief details
SLC) can also let you have a copy, or you can get
of that help are set out below.
one by phoning the Student Finance information
Remember that your LA (or the SLC) must be
line on 0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988).
satisfied that your disability, mental health
'Bridging the Gap' is also available on audio tape,
condition or specific learning difficulty will mean
in Braille and in large print.
that you have to spend more money while on your
Note: Students studying a full-time distance
course.
learning course who have a disability, mental-
If you are physically disabled, or have a mental
health condition or specific learning difficulty will
health condition, you will need to provide medical
be eligible to apply for the
full-time Disabled
proof of your condition, such as a letter from your
Student Allowances.
doctor or an appropriate specialist. If you have a
specific learning difficulty (for example, dyslexia),
Help available if you have to pay extra
you will need to provide evidence of this in the
travel costs as a result of your course
form of an assessment, sometimes called a
You can get a grant to meet reasonable travel
diagnostic assessment, from a psychologist or
costs associated with your course if:
suitably qualified specialist teacher.
• You are attending clinical training as part of your
Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
medical or dental course at a hospital or other
place in the UK other than your normal place of
DSAs help with the extra costs you may have as
attendance.
a result of studying your course and as a direct
result of your disability, mental health condition or
• You are attending an educational institution
specific learning difficulty. You can apply at any
outside the UK as part of your UK course for at
time before or during your course, and how much
least 50% of an academic quarter (an academic
you can get
does not depend on your income or
quarter is normally equivalent to a term).
that of your family. You will not have to repay this
The grant for travel costs is equal to the amount
help.
you reasonably have to pay, less the first £295.
The following help is available for students
This help is also income-assessed. Your LA (or
studying an eligible full-time undergraduate course
the SLC) will decide whether the costs you have
(including a distance learning course).
to pay are reasonable.
• Specialist equipment allowance of up to £5,030
If you are studying at an educational institution
for the whole course.
outside the UK for at least 50% of an academic
quarter (an academic quarter is normally
• Non-medical helper's allowance of up to £20,000
equivalent to a term) and you have to take out
each year.
medical insurance or pay medical costs or the cost
• General students' allowance of up to £1,680
of a visa to attend the institution outside the UK,
each year.
you can also get help to cover the cost of the
• Travel allowance to help with extra travel costs
insurance, medical costs or visa.
you may have to pay to attend your university or
college course as a result of your disability.
18
3 Financial help for new full-time students
College Fee Loans for specific second degrees at Oxford and Cambridge
Students with a UK honours degree from a publicly funded institution, and who are studying a second
undergraduate degree at either Oxford or Cambridge University after 1 September 2006, may apply for a
College Fee Loan (CFL) to help with the extra college fee which the Oxford or Cambridge college may
charge.
Who's eligible?
As well as holding a UK honours degree, you will need to meet the same eligibility
conditions as those which apply to the Student Loan for Maintenance. Students who
have not applied for student finance before will be assessed by the SLC when they
make their application. For 2008/2009, the eligible courses are:
• medicine (both the undergraduate degree course and the four-year graduate
accelerated course);
• dentistry;
• veterinary science;
• architecture;
• landscape architecture;
• landscape design;
• landscape management;
• town planning or town and country planning;
• social work; and
• courses for which a graduate student is eligible to receive a healthcare bursary.
How much?
As college fees are set by the individual colleges, you will be able to borrow any
amount up to the maximum college fee charged by your college (but see note 1
below).
How is it paid?
SLC will make one payment a year, direct to your university or college.
Is it repayable?
Yes - but like other student loans you only start to repay once you have left your
course and are earning over £15,000.
How do I apply?
If you are potentially eligible, your college will give you a CFL information leaflet and
application form. Once you have filled in the application form, you will need to pass it
back to the college to be validated. They will then send your application to the SLC,
who will assess your application and, if you are eligible, issue the payment.
Note 1: Students will be responsible for the part of their tuition fees for which they do not receive a College
Fee Loan.
Note 2: From September 2009, students starting a second undergraduate degree at either Oxford or
Cambridge university will no longer be eligible for the College Fee Loan if they are on the following courses.
• Landscape architect
• Landscape designer
• Landscape manager
• Town planner
• Town and country planner
19
4 Financial help for existing full-time students
Summary
This section gives details of the main types of financial help available to students who started a course of
higher education before September 2008.
Important information
Students who are starting their course in
September 2008 or after will be entitled to the package of support
summarised in the section starting on page 10.
Existing students
Students who started their course before 1 September 2008 will be entitled to the package of support they
were receiving in the previous academic year.
Existing students generally fall into one of two categories.
• Students who started their course after 1 September 2006 but before 1 September 2008
• Students who started their course before 1 September 2006
If you are not sure what category you fall into, you should contact your local authority or the SLC for advice.
Students who started their course between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2008
Students in this category (sometimes called existing 'new system' students) will be able to apply for the
following help in 2008.
Type of help available
Where can I find more information?
Student Loan for Tuition Fees
See page 11 of the 'New students' section above.
Maintenance Grant
See page 21.
Student Loans for Maintenance
See page 15 of the 'New students' section above.
Bursaries
See page 14 of the 'New students' section above.
Extra help if you have a disability
See page 18 of the 'New students' section above.
Extra help if you have children or adult dependants
See page 17 of the 'New students' section above.
20
4 Financial help for existing full-time students
Maintenance Grant
Existing students who started their course between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2008 can apply for a
Maintenance Grant of up to £2,835 a year. How much you get will depend on your income and that of your
household. The Maintenance Grant does not need to be paid back.
Who's eligible?
Existing students who started their higher education course between 1 September
2006 and 31 August 2008.
How much?
How much you get depends on your household income. If you are continuing your
course in 2008, the table below is a guide to how much grant you could get.
Household income
How much? (See notes.)
£18,360 or less
Full £2,835 grant
Between £18,361 and £39,305
Partial grant
More than £39,305
No grant
Your LA (or the SLC if you live in an area testing new student finance arrangements)
will work this out when you make your application for help.
How is it paid?
In three instalments, one at the start of each term, along with any Student Loan for
Maintenance payments.
Is it repayable?
No. You will not have to repay this help.
Note 1: Students in lower-income households will have part of their living costs met through a Maintenance
Grant which they do not have to pay back. Their entitlement to support through a Student Loan for
Maintenance will be reduced to reflect this. In practice, this means that the amount of maintenance loan a
student can receive will be reduced by £1 for every £1 of Maintenance Grant entitlement up to £1,260.
Note 2: Existing Initial Teacher Training (ITT) students who are studying for 10 weeks or more (apart from
those on courses leading to a first degree) will receive a minimum Maintenance Grant of £1,260, no matter
what their household income is. If they are studying for between six and 10 weeks, they will receive at least
£630.
21
4 Financial help for existing full-time students
Special Support Grant
If you are eligible to receive a Special Support Grant you will not be eligible to receive a Maintenance Grant.
The Special Support Grant pays up to £2,835, depending on your household's income. It is intended to help
with extra course-related costs such as books, equipment, travel or childcare. Entitlement to the Special
Support Grant is worked out in the same way as the Maintenance Grant but will not affect the amount of
Maintenance Loan you may be entitled to receive. If you claim income-related benefits, the Special Support
Grant will not be taken into account by Jobcentre Plus or your local authority's Housing Benefit section when
working out your income.
You may be eligible to receive a Special Support Grant instead of a Maintenance Grant if you:
• are a lone parent (single parent);
• have a partner who is also a student - and one or both of you are responsible for a child (or a young
person aged under 20 who is in full-time education below higher-education level);
• have a disability, and qualify for the disability premium or severe disability premium;
• are deaf and qualify for Disabled Students' Allowances;
• have been treated as incapable of work for a continuous period of at least 28 weeks;
• are from abroad and entitled to an Income Support urgent cases payment because you are temporarily
without funding for a period of up to six weeks;
• are waiting to go back to a course after taking agreed time out because of an illness or caring
responsibility that has now come to an end;
• are aged 60 or over.
If you're not sure whether to apply for the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant, ask your local
authority (or the SLC) for advice.
Students who started their course before 1 September 2006
Students in this category (sometimes called existing 'old system' students) will be able to apply for the
following help in 2008.
Type of help available
Where can I find more information?
Help towards tuition fees
See page 23.
Student Loan for Tuition Fee Contribution
See page 23.
Higher Education Grant
See page 24.
Student Loans for Maintenance
See page 15 of the 'New students' section above.
Extra help if you have a disability
See page 18 of the 'New students' section above.
Extra help if you have children or adult dependants
See page 17 of the 'New students' section above.
Note: Students entitled to the old package of support who started an eligible course at Oxford or Cambridge
after September 2006 may be eligible for a College Fee Loan - see page 19.
22
4 Financial help for existing full-time students
Help towards tuition fees
For 2008/2009, if you are entitled to the old package of support, you will be charged tuition fees of up to
£1,255. You may be entitled to a grant for all or part of your tuition fees, but the amount of grant you can get
will depend on your household's 'residual income' ('residual income' means your household's income after
certain deductions).
Students from households with a residual household
Receive a grant to cover
all of their fees
income of
less than £23,660
Students from households with a residual household
Receive a grant to cover
part of their fees
income of
between £23,660 and £35,154
Students from households with a residual household
Not entitled to grant support
income of
£35,155 or more
Student Loans for Tuition Fee Contributions
From September 2006, students entitled to the old package of support have not had to pay fees before they
start university or while they are studying.
Instead, eligible students have been able to apply for a Student Loan for Fees to cover the cost of any
assessed contribution. The Student Loans Company (SLC) will pay this amount direct to the university or
college. Students must repay these loans once they have left university and are earning over £15,000.
Interest on the loan is linked to inflation only, so what you repay will be worth what you borrow in real terms.
Who's eligible?
Eligible students in higher education who started their course before September 2006
and were entitled to the old package of support in 2006.
How much?
Any amount up to the full amount of fee charged (£1,255). This may be the difference
between the total fee charged and the amount of fee grant awarded.
How is it paid?
Paid direct to your university or college.
Is it repayable?
Yes. But you only start repaying when you have left your course and are earning over
£15,000. And then you repay it at 9% of your earnings above £15,000. So, someone
earning £18,000 - the average starting salary for a graduate - would be paying back
£5.19 a week.
23
4 Financial help for existing full-time students
Higher Education Grant
The Higher Education Grant helps with the costs of higher education. The grant is assessed on your
household income. Jobcentre Plus and local authorities' Housing Benefit departments will not count the
Higher Education Grant when working out your right to benefit. You do not have to repay this grant.
Who's eligible?
Full-time students in higher education who started their
original course on or after
1 September 2004 who were entitled to the 'old' package of support in 2006.
This means that you are
not eligible for this grant if you either:
• started a course on or after 1 September 2004, having transferred to it from a
course that you started before 1 September 2004; or
• started a course on or after 1 September 2004 which you are taking end-on to a
course that you were attending before 1 September 2004.
How much?
Up to £1,000 (at least £50). If your household income is £16,750 or less, you will be
entitled to the full amount of grant. If the income is between £16,751 and £22,734, you
will receive part of the grant. If the income is £22,735, you will receive the minimum
grant. If the income is more than £22,735, you will not receive any grant.
How is it paid?
In three instalments, one at the start of each term, along with any Student Loan for
Maintenance payments.
Is it repayable?
No. You will not have to repay this help.
24
5 Extra help available from your college
Summary
Students will be assessed on their individual
needs. However, the following groups of students
This section gives details of the extra help
are a priority for help from the Access to Learning
available through your college from the Access
Fund.
to Learning Fund (ALF).
• Students with children, especially single parents
The Access to Learning Fund
• Other mature students, especially those with
This is available through your college and provides
existing financial commitments
help for students in hardship who may need extra
financial support for their course and to stay in
• Students from low-income families
higher education.
• Disabled students (if your disability prevents you
More specifically, the fund can:
from studying 50% of a full-time course, you may
also be eligible for support from the fund, as
• meet particular course and living costs which are
long as you are studying at least 25% of a full-
not already being met from other grants;
time course)
• help if students are in financial hardship;
• People leaving local-authority care
• provide emergency payments for unexpected
• Students from Foyers (which provide
financial crises; and
accommodation, guidance and support for
• help students who may be considering giving up
homeless young people) or who are homeless
their course because of financial problems.
• Students in their final year who are in financial
difficulty
You can apply through your college student
services department. The college will tell you what
information you need to provide and how they will
assess your application.
Your college will decide whether you are able to
get this help and, if so, how much you can receive.
This will depend on your own circumstances.
Payments are usually given as grants and do not
have to be repaid, although sometimes they may
be given as short-term loans. The college will also
decide whether to pay you in a lump sum or in
instalments.
25
6 Help if you are studying on a full-time distance
learning course
Summary
This section deals with the help available to students who are taking a full-time distance learning higher
education course.
Help for students on full-time distance learning courses
If you are a new or existing student studying a ‘designated’, relevant, full-time, distance learning, higher
education course from September 2008, you may be entitled to a grant towards your fees and a grant
towards your course costs. Your college will be able to tell you if your course qualifies.
Your entitlement to the grants will depend on your income and that of your husband, wife or partner. There is no
age limit for this support and you will not have to pay this grant help back. Students who already have a degree
cannot normally apply for this support. Your LA (or the SLC) will work out how much support you can get.
Fee grant
In 2008/2009, a grant for fees of up to £1,180 is available. If the cost of your fees is less than this amount,
then the maximum available will be the cost of your fees. If your fees are more than this amount, you will
need to make up the difference.
Course grant
In 2008/2009, the maximum course grant is £255 and this is to help with the cost of books, travel and other
expenses.
Who's eligible?
New students starting a full-time distance learning course from September 2008, and
existing students continuing a full-time distance learning course from September 2008
What am I
A Fee Grant of up to £1,180 a year, and a Course Grant of up to £255 a year. How
entitled to?
much you will get will depend on your household income.
How is the Fee
Direct to your college.
Grant paid?
How is the
Direct to your bank account in one lump sum.
Course Grant
paid?
Does it have to
No
be paid back?
How do I apply?
You can apply for the Fee Grant and Course Grant by filling in form PTG1. You can get
a copy of form PTG1 by calling our student finance helpline on 0800 731 9133
(textphone 0800 328 8988). You can also download and print out a copy of the PTG1
form and its accompanying notes from our website (www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance).
Note 1: If you cannot attend your course because of your disability, mental-health condition or specific
learning difficulty, you may be eligible to apply for the full-time package of student support, including the fee
loan and Maintenance Grant.
Note 2: Students studying a full-time distance learning course and who have a disability, mental-health
condition or specific learning difficulty will be eligible to apply for the
full-time Disabled Students' Allowances.
26
7 Help if you are studying on a part-time course
Summary
This section details the help available to part-time students who are taking a higher education course.
Help for part-time students
If you are a part-time higher education student and studying a course that lasts at least one academic year
and is 50% or more of an equivalent full-time course, you may be entitled to a grant towards your fees and a
grant towards your course costs. Your college will be able to tell you if your course qualifies. Entitlement to
the grants will depend on your income and that of your husband, wife or partner, and there is no age limit for
this support. Your LA (or the SLC) will work out how much support you can get. You will not have to pay this
help back.
Students who already have a degree cannot normally apply for this support.
Fee grant
In 2008/2009 there will be three different rates of fee grant depending on how intensive your course is.
Maximum fee grant
Equivalent to 50% to 59% of the full-time course
£785
Equivalent to 60% to 74% of the full-time course
£945
Equivalent to 75% or more of the full-time course
£1180
Course grant
In 2008/2009 the maximum course grant is £255 and
does not depend on how intensive your course is.
Maximum amounts
The total maximum amounts available to part-time students are as follows.
For students on a part-time course equivalent
Up to
£1040 (fee grant of up to £785 and
to 50% to 59% of the full-time course
course grant of up to £255)
For students on a part-time course equivalent
Up to
£1200 (fee grant of up to £945 and
to 60% to 74% of the full-time course
course grant of up to £255)
For students on a part-time course equivalent
Up to
£1435 (fee grant of up to £1180 and
to 75% or more of the full-time course
course grant of up to £255)
You can get a part time application form (PTG1) from the student support information line on
0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988) from August 2008. The form will also be available from our
website at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance from that date. You should send applications to your LA or the
SLC, as explained on page 4.
The
Open University (OU) deals with its own students' applications for the fee grant, the course grant and
DSAs. The OU has its own application form which is used instead of the PTG1. For information about
applying to the OU, e-mail them at [email address] or phone them on 01908 653411.
27
7 Help if you are studying on a part-time course
Other help for part-time students
Part-time initial teacher-training students are
Part-time students (including distance-learning
eligible for the student loan for full-time students.
students)
with disabilities, mental health
Important note
conditions or specific learning difficulties and
If you receive the grant or fee, but your tuition fees
who are studying at least 50% of an equivalent
are more than the amount of support available to
full-time course, may be able to get Disabled
you, you may be eligible for extra support from
Students' Allowances (DSAs). The specialist
your institution. Your institution will decide the
equipment allowance and travel allowance
amount of support you are eligible for. Please
available to part-time students is the same as
contact your institution for more details.
that available to full-time students (see page 18).
A booklet called 'Financial support for part-time
Part-time students can receive a percentage of
students in higher education' sets out the help
the non-medical helper's allowance and general
available in more detail, and will be available from
allowance available to full-time students,
June 2008.
depending on their rate of study.
The guide will be available to download from our
If you need more information about the DSAs, we
website at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. You
have produced a guide called 'Bridging the Gap'.
will also be able to get a copy of this booklet by
Details of how to get a copy are given on page 36.
ringing the Student Finance information line on
Disabled part-time (and full-time) postgraduate
0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988).
students, including distance-learning students,
'Financial support for part-time students in higher
may also be able to get Disabled Students'
education' is also available on audio tape, in
Allowances. For more information about the DSAs
Braille and in large print.
available to postgraduate students, please go to
page 32.
28
8 Other help available
Summary
• Chiropody and podiatry
This section gives details of other help available to
• Dental hygiene
full-time postgraduate teaching course students,
• Dental therapy
students taking a health professional, medical or
• Dietetics
dental course, and students studying to be a social
• Nursing
worker. It also gives details of some of the help
available from other sources, for example, for
• Midwifery
postgraduate study, study in Europe and so on.
• Occupational therapy
• Operating department practice
Training bursary for teacher training in
England
• Orthoptics
• Physiotherapy
This help is available for home and EU graduates
on postgraduate courses which lead to Qualified
• Prosthetics and orthotics
Teacher Status at colleges in England, as long as
• Radiography
they do not already hold Qualified Teacher Status
• Speech and language therapy
and are not employed as teachers in a school or
further- or higher-education college at the start of
If you are offered an NHS-funded place on any of
their training course. Students training to teach
these courses you may be eligible for an NHS
secondary priority subjects (design and
bursary and other allowances to help with
technology, mathematics, music, science, religious
supporting people who depend on you financially,
education, modern foreign languages and
support your need because of a disability, and
information and communications technology) will
travel costs to placements. The NHS may also pay
be eligible for a £9,000 bursary. Those training to
your contribution to tuition fees.
teach other subjects in secondary schools will be
If you are studying in England, you can apply to
eligible for a £6000 bursary and those training to
the NHS Business Services Authority, Student
teach primary will be eligible for a £4000 bursary.
Bursaries Unit for an NHS bursary. You can find
Visit www.tda.gov.uk for more details, and you can
details about the type and level of support
also get more information on teacher training
available at www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk
support and other issues from the Teaching
If you receive an NHS bursary based on your
Information Line on 0845 6000 991.
income you may be eligible for a student loan for
Remember, you can apply for extra help from your
maintenance (see page 15).
college through the Access to Learning Fund.
NHS-funded students are also eligible to apply
payments from the Access to Learning Fund see
National Health Service bursaries for
section 5.
health professional courses
For more information on careers in the NHS,
NHS bursaries are available for full-time or
contact the NHS Careers Helpline.
part-time pre-registration courses in England in
the following subjects.
Phone: 0845 6060655.
Website: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
• Audiology (for courses recognised by the British
E-mail: [email address]
Association of Audiological Technicians (BAAT),
the British Association of Audiological Scientists
(BAAS) and the British Society of Hearing
Therapists (BSHT))
29
8 Other help available
NHS bursaries for medical and dental
More information for NHS students in
courses
England
Undergraduate students living in England who are
The 'Financial Help for Health Care Students'
on the standard five- or six-year medical and
booklet explains NHS funding in more detail.
dental courses in any UK country and who joined
You can get a copy of the booklet on-line at
their course from September 1998 onwards are
www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk.
eligible for support on the same terms as other
undergraduate students for the first four years of
Financial help for students studying
their courses. (Students who are taking a medical
approved social work courses
or dental course as their
second degree will not
Since 1 April 2007, the NHS Business Services
be eligible for fee support but will still be eligible
Authority (NHSBSA) - Prescription Pricing Division
for loans for maintenance.) For the fifth and
(PPD) has run the bursary scheme for students
subsequent years of their courses they will be
studying on approved degree or diploma courses
eligible for an income assessed NHS bursary. They
in social work. Applicants must meet eligibility
can also receive the minimum amount of loan for
conditions set out in the bursary application packs,
students with a reduced entitlement in their fifth
which can be downloaded from the social work
and further years of study.
bursaries section of the NHSBSA PPD website
(www.epact.ppa.nhs.uk/ppa/swb.htm).
Students living in England who are on the
shortened four-year medical degree for graduate
For full details about the bursary, visit the bursaries
entrants are eligible for support under the Student
website as shown above. If your question is not
Support Regulations for the first year of their
answered on the website, send an e-mail to
course. As long as they meet the usual eligibility
[email address] or phone 0845 610 1122. The
conditions and are entitled to full loans and grants
line is open between 8am and 6pm Monday to
for maintenance. However, in most cases they will
Friday, and between 9am and 3pm on Saturdays.
not be entitled to help with tuition fees as they
You can also send a fax to 0191 203 5507.
have already studied on a previous course.
In years two, three and four of their course, they will
become eligible for bursaries and help with tuition
fees (from the NHS). They can also receive the
minimum amount of loan for students with a reduced
entitlement in years two to four of the course.
Students on medical and dental courses should
apply for help from the relevant authority for the
country in which they are normally living. You will
find details listed on pages 4 and 5.
NHS-funded students (including medical and dental
students living in England) supported from the NHS
Bursaries Unit are also eligible to apply for
payments from the Access to Learning Fund (see
section 5 - Extra help available from your college).
30
8 Other help available
Thinking about a career in a profession?
If, following the audition process, you are offered a
This section contains brief information about the
'state-funded' place, you may be entitled to
help that undergraduates can get if they are taking
financial help towards your tuition fee, a student
a degree to become a teacher, doctor, dentist or
loan and other grants (depending on your
social worker, or to join certain health-related
circumstances). Chapter 3 of this booklet contains
professions.
information about this help. You should contact
your LA (or the SLC if you live in an area testing
However, this publication does not provide
new student finance arrangements) for details on
information about other professions. So, if you're
how to apply for help once you have a confirmed
interested in a profession that isn't one of those
'state-funded' place on a designated course. The
listed above, you should contact the governing
same arrangements apply if you are offered a
body of that profession for more advice. So, for
place at a private institution affiliated (linked) to the
example, if you are interested in becoming a
Conservatoire of Dance and Drama.
solicitor, you should contact The Law Society, or if
you'd like to become a vet you should contact The
If, following the audition process, you are offered a
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
place as a
'private' student, you will have to pay
the full cost of the private tuition fee. The private
For more information on the career options
institution will be able to tell you how much you
available to you, contact a local Connexions
need to pay and how. You may also be entitled to
personal advisor or visit the website at
some help towards the cost of your tuition fee, a
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u for information
student loan and other grants depending on your
on over 800 different careers. Your local reference
circumstances. Chapter 3 of this booklet contains
library should have more information about the
information about this help. You should contact
governing bodies of various professions.
your LA (or the SLC) for details of how to apply for
help once you have a confirmed place as a private
Help for students on designated dance and
student on a designated course.
drama courses of higher education at
private institutions
Note: Higher Education Dance and Drama Awards
are not available for students who started an HE
Students on designated dance and drama courses
course in Dance or Drama on or after 1 September
of higher education at private institutions may be
2004, as the HE Dance and Drama Awards
entitled to financial support. The financial support
scheme has been replaced with the 'state-funded
that may be available to you depends on the type
places' scheme.
of place you are offered through an independent
audition or interview process. For details of the
audition process, contact your private institution.
31
8 Other help available
Postgraduate funding
Access to Learning Fund
The student support system does not provide the
Postgraduate students may be eligible to apply for
same support for students on postgraduate
help from the Access to Learning Fund through
courses as those on undergraduate courses,
their college.
except for initial teacher training. While there are
Research councils
studentships and research grants available for
postgraduate courses from the research councils
All the research councils consider funding for
and some other charitable sources, there are no
individual postgraduates. You need to contact the
subsidised loans for postgraduates.
relevant council direct to find out more. You will
have to compete for research council funding, and
Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) for
getting a place on a postgraduate programme
postgraduate study
does not entitle you to an award.
Full- and part-time postgraduate students
There are seven councils as shown below.
(including distance-learning students) with
disabilities, mental health conditions or specific
• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
learning difficulties may be able to get Disabled
at www.ahrc.ac.uk
Students' Allowances (DSAs).
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
Council (BBSRC) at www.bbsrc.ac.uk
The postgraduate DSA provides a single
allowance of up to £10,000 a year for full-time and
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
part-time postgraduates. Postgraduate DSAs are
Council (EPSRC) at www.epsrc.ac.uk
not income-assessed. You will not have to repay
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
this help.
at www.esrc.ac.uk
To qualify for a postgraduate DSA you must be on
• Medical Research Council (MRC) at
a course where the entry requirement is usually a
www.mrc.ac.uk
degree, and the course must last for at least one
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
academic year. If the course is part-time, you must
at www.nerc.ac.uk
complete it in no longer than twice the time it takes
• Science and Technology Facilities Council
to complete an equivalent full-time course.
(STFC) at www.scitech.ac.uk
You won't qualify for DSAs from your LA (or the
SLC) if you're a postgraduate student getting:
Educational trusts and charities
There are also educational trusts and charities that
• a bursary from the NHS;
make individual awards to students. You can find
• a research council bursary or award;
standard lists of these in most public libraries.
• a social work bursary that includes equivalent
Useful publications include the Educational Grants
support from the NHS Business Services
Directory, the Charities Digest, the Grants Register
Authority;
and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts. You can
• a bursary or award that includes equivalent
find more information about these publications at
support from your college or university.
the end of this section.
You should contact the provider of your bursary or
award for advice on any extra support you may be
entitled to because of a disability.
If you need more information about the DSAs, we
have produced a guide called 'Bridging the Gap'.
Details of how to get a copy are given on page 36.
32
8 Other help available
Benefits
Working Tax Credit
Although most full-time students are not entitled to
You must be in paid work to qualify for Working
income-related benefits, certain students groups
Tax Credit so, in general, students will not be able
(including single parents and some disabled
to claim this credit unless they are responsible for
students) may be eligible for income-related
looking after a child or young person or are
benefits including Housing Benefit. If you want to
disabled
and are doing at least 16 hours a week of
take a full-time course of education, you should
paid work. Mature students (aged 25 and over)
ask your local Jobcentre Plus office and your local
who are working in a paid job for at least 30 hours
authority's Housing Benefit section how this may
a week may also be eligible, even if they do not
affect your benefits.
have children.
If you are eligible for benefits, Jobcentre Plus and
For more information:
your local authority's Housing Benefit section will
• call the helpline on 0845 300 3900
take account of most of any income you receive
(textphone 0845 300 3909);
through student maintenance loans (and some
• drop into your local HM Revenue & Customs
student grants) under the main student support
Enquiry Centre (listed under HM Revenue &
arrangements.
If you are eligible for a
Customs in the phone book); or
maintenance loan, Jobcentre Plus and your
• visit the website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
local authority's Housing Benefit section will
take account of the money available to you,
European study - the Erasmus exchange
whether or not you take the loan out.
programme
If your partner is eligible for benefits, Jobcentre
As part of the Erasmus programme, mobility
Plus and your local authority's Housing Benefit
grants are provided for students who fulfill the
section will take account of your student income in
eligibility conditions for taking part in the Erasmus
the same way when they work out his or her
programme and want to follow a part of their
benefits. They do not take account of support
course of higher education in one of the 31
towards your tuition fees. The Higher Education
countries taking part in the scheme. Most higher
Grant, Special Support Grant, Childcare Grant and
education institutions in the UK listed on the
Parents' Learning Allowance are not taken into
Recognised Bodies Charter take part in Erasmus
account for benefit purposes. Payments from the
exchanges which cover a wide range of subjects.
Access to Learning Fund that are not intended for
As well as the mobility grant, a student who
general living costs should also be ignored for
studies abroad for a full academic year (at least
benefit purposes.
24 weeks not including weekends and the usual
holidays), as part of an Erasmus exchange, will
Tax credits from HM Revenue and
be eligible for a tuition fee waiver for the year in
Customs (HMRC)
question. For more information about the
Child Tax Credit
Erasmus programme and details of the
Students with dependent children are entitled to
countries involved, visit the website at
claim Child Tax Credit. Student loans and grants to
www.britishcouncil.org/socrates-erasmus.htm
meet the costs of tuition fees, childcare and other
course-related costs are not treated as income in
new claims for tax credits. However, the Adult
Dependants' Grant will be taken into account as
income. Students receiving the maximum amount
of Child Tax Credit (and no Working Tax Credit) are
also entitled to free school meals for their children.
33
9 How to find out more
Summary
The Student Loans Company Customer
This section contains details of organisations,
Support Office (CSO)
helplines, websites and publications where you
Students in England can now use the
Student
can find more information on student finance.
Loans Company Customer Support Office
(CSO) to access a range of information relating to
Contact points and other information
student finance.
There are a range of contacts that can answer
your questions.
The CSO advises on
general questions such as:
• For
general questions about student finance and
• what financial help is available;
how to apply, contact your LA or the Student
• the application process and timetable;
Loans Company Customer Support Office (CSO)
• questions about the on-line services at
on 0845 607 7577.
www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk;
• To apply
on-line or monitor your application,
• progress in assessing your application; and
go to www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk.
• paying your loan.
• For a copy of one of our
guides, contact the
You can also use the on-line services at
Student Support Information Line on 0800 731
www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk to:
9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988).
• find out how much loan and help towards your
• For a
paper copy of the application form, contact
fees you are likely to receive using the
your LA. Or, if you live in one of the local
entitlement calculator;
authorities named in the introduction section,
• track the progress of your application;
phone the Student Loans Company CSO on
0845 607 7577.
• update your address and other contact details;
• view copies of letters that have been sent to you;
Local authorities
• check when you are next due to be paid; and
Students living in England can contact their
local
• ask questions.
authority (LA). LAs provide advice on detailed
questions about your likely entitlement and the
You can phone the CSO on 0845 607 7577
result of the assessment of your application, but
between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and
please check if your local authority is testing new
between 9am and 5.30pm on Saturdays and
student finance arrangements (see 'Where to
Sundays.
apply' in section 1) as you may need to contact
Student Support helpline
the Student Loans Company.
This is a helpline run by the SLC for students,
For a
paper copy of the application form,
parents and members of the public living in
contact your LA. You can visit
England. It can deal with
detailed questions
www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk to see a list of
about student finance and eligibility, and can
LA contacts. If you are still at school, your careers
explain the information in our booklets. You can
teacher can give you the address and phone
phone the helpline on
0845 602 0583 between
number of your LA.
10am and 4pm from Monday to Friday.
If you live in one of the local authorities named in
the introduction section, phone the Student Loans
Student Support Information Line
Company CSO on 0845 607 7577.
Students living in
England can ring
0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988) to
order a copy of any of our guides free of charge.
34
9 How to find out more
Other sources of funding information
HM Revenue & Customs
Scholarship Search UK
If you need help and advice on tax and tax credits,
Provides information about other sources of
phone 0845 300 3900 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk
funding for undergraduates.
If you qualified under the old system, you should
Website: www.scholarship-search.org.uk
continue to qualify for help.
National Union of Students (NUS)
Visit www.HMRC.gov.uk/taxcredits or call
Write (enclosing a stamped addressed envelope) to:
0845 300 3900 (textphone 0845 300 3909) or drop
into your HMRC Enquiry Centre (listed under HM
NUS
Revenue & Customs in the phone book). You can
2nd floor
also visit your LA or your local Jobcentre Plus office.
Centro 3
Mandela Street
For more information about how tax affects you,
London NW1 0DU.
visit www.HMRC.gov.uk/students and download
You can get more information from the NUS
the TAX + U information pack.
website at www.nusonline.co.uk
Teacher training
Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS)
For information about how to become a teacher,
The Educational Grants Advisory Service is an
including what support may be available to you if
independent advice agency for people who want to
you choose undergraduate, postgraduate, school-
get funding for further or higher education. It is
centred or employment-based teacher training,
mainly concerned with helping students who are
contact the Training and Development Agency for
not eligible for statutory funding (mandatory
Schools (TDA).
awards, discretionary awards, bursaries for the
Phone them on the T
eaching Information Line
pre-registration nursing and midwifery diploma
on
0845 6000 991. You can e-mail the TDA at
course and other government grants and
[email address] or visit their website at
bursaries).
www.tda.gov.uk/
EGAS can also give detailed advice about the
statutory funding system to those who are
considering entering further or higher education.
To apply for funding or to carry out a search for
educational trust funding, complete the trust fund
search on the website or send a stamped
addressed envelope to:
EGAS
501-505 Kingsland Road
Dalston
London E8 4AU.
You can phone the information line on
020 7254 6251 or visit their website at
www.egas-online.org.uk
The EGAS office is open Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm.
35
9 How to find out more
Useful publications
Educational Grants Directory - published by
Remember that some of these publications will be
the Directory of Social Change (price £34.95 -
available from your local library.
2006/2007 edition). You can get this from:
You can get extra copies of this guide and the
Directory of Social Change
following four other student finance guides from:
24 Stephenson Way
London NW1 2DP.
• the Student Finance information line on
Phone: 020 7391 4800
0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988);
Enquiries: 0845 077 7707
• your LA (or the SLC if you live in an area testing
new student finance arrangements); and
Into Higher Education 2008 - This is a guide for
disabled people planning to apply for higher
• the StudentFinanceDirect website at
education. It costs £2.50 for disabled students,
www.direct.gov.uk/student finance where they
trainees and jobseekers, otherwise it costs £15
can be downloaded or printed.
from SKILL at:
You can also get copies in Braille, on audio tape
SKILL
and in large print.
Chapter House
1 Disabled Students' Allowances - Get the
18-20 Crucifix Lane
guide 'Bridging the Gap: a guide to Disabled
London SE1 3JW.
Students' Allowances (DSAs) in higher education'
Phone or minicom: 020 7450 0620
(reference S/BTGB/V8).
Information line: 0800 328 5050
2 Help for students with children or adult
Minicom: 0800 068 2422
dependants - Get the guide 'Childcare Grant and
E-mail: [email address]
other support for full-time student parents in higher
Website: www.skill.org.uk
education' (reference S/CCGB/V8).
Student Life - A Survival Guide - helps students
3 Information about student loans - Get the
to budget and make the most of their time as
guide 'Student Loans - a guide to terms and
students. ISBN 1 904979 017 (fourth edition). Price
conditions' (reference S/SLTC/V8).
£11.99 (plus postage and packing). Published by
Lifetime Careers Wiltshire Ltd in association with
4 Information about help for part-time students -
UCAS. You can get this by post from:
Get the guide 'A guide to financial support for part
time students in higher education' (reference
Orca Bookservices Ltd
S/FSPT/V8).
Stanley House
3 Fleet Lane
The Grants Register 2007 - published by Palgrave
Poole
Macmillan Limited (price £185). This lists over
Dorset
3300 separate awards for students studying in the
BH15 3AJ.
United Kingdom and abroad. It is available from:
Website: www.lifetime-publishing.co.uk
Palgrave Macmillan Ltd
Phone: 01202 665432
Houndmills
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG21 6XS.
Phone: 01256 329242
Website: www.palgrave.com
36
10 Repaying your student loan
Summary
important that you monitor your own repayments,
This section gives more details about how and
keeping track of your own balance so you know
when you will need to start to repay any Student
when you are due to finish repaying. The SLC will
Loans you have.
remind you when you are approaching the end of
repayments but if you choose to do nothing, you
You will not have to start repaying your loan until
are likely to pay too much. If you plan to leave the
the April after you have finished or left your course.
country to work abroad, you must tell the SLC who
The amount you repay will be linked to your
will make arrangements to collect repayments
income. Each year, you will be expected to repay
directly from you.
9% of your income over £15,000, or the monthly
(£1250) or weekly (£288) equivalent.
You will not have to make repayments while your
income is below £15,000. If for any reason your
The SLC will work with HM Revenue & Customs
income falls below that amount, you will not have to
to collect repayments. Your employer will take the
make repayments until your income rises above it.
repayments and they will be shown on your pay
statements. If you are self-employed, the
The table below shows the monthly repayments
repayments will be collected through the tax
that you would need to pay if you were earning
self-assessment system.
different amounts, and how much the repayments
would be as a percentage of your total income
The SLC will not receive your repayment details
(rounded down to the nearest pound).
until after the end of each tax year so it will be
Income each year before tax
Monthly
Repayment as
repayment
a percentage of
your income
up to £15,000
0
0%
£16,000
£7
0.6%
£17,000
£15
1.1%
£18,000
£22
1.5%
£19,000
£30
1.9%
£20,000
£37
2.3%
£21,000
£45
2.6%
£22,000
£52
2.9%
£23,000
£60
3.1%
£24,000
£67
3.4%
£25,000
£75
3.6%
37
10 Repaying your student loan
How much you will have to pay back
Remember that you must tell the SLC about any
The Government does not make any money on
changes to your personal details, such as your
student loans. In fact, the Government pays some
name and address, and provide any information
of the interest on the amount that you owe so that
they ask for. Otherwise, the SLC may apply
you only pay interest at a rate linked to inflation.
penalties to your loan account. If you do not
This means that the amount you pay back will
respond to requests from the SLC, you may have
have the same value in real terms as the
to repay your loan in one go - and the SLC will
amount you borrowed.
take you to court if necessary.
Interest will apply as long as the loan lasts, and
You can find more details on repaying your loan
will include any time when you are studying or are
in the guide 'Student Loans: A Guide to Terms and
not repaying the loan, as well as when you are
Conditions', which is available from your LA (or
repaying the loan.
the SLC if you live in an area testing new student
finance arrangements) and which you must read
The length of time you take to repay your loan will
if you want to take out a loan. This guide is also
depend on your income after you leave college
available on the Student Finance website at
and the total amount you have borrowed. You will
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
normally continue to repay the loan until you have
paid off the full amount.
If you have any questions about repaying your
student loan, contact:
If you started your studies in 2006 or later, the
Government will write off any part of your student
Student Loans Company Limited
loans left unpaid 25 years after you leave your
100 Bothwell Street
course instead of at age 65. The Government will
Glasgow G2 7JD.
also write off any part of your student loans that is
Phone: 0800 405 010
left unpaid if you become disabled and as a result
Website: www.slc.co.uk or
can never work again, or if you die.
www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk
If you are starting your studies in 2008 you may
have the option of taking a Repayment Holiday (a
break in making your Student Loan repayments).
Any time taken as a Repayment Holiday will
extend the usual 25-year repayment period by the
length of the break taken. So if you were to take a
Repayment Holiday of five years this would mean
that instead of your Student Loan being written off
after 25 years, it would not be written off until after
30 years.
38
11 What to do if you are not satisfied
Summary
You should also find out
how to make your
This section gives you some advice on what to do
complaint. In the first place it may be fine to do it
if you are not satisfied and you feel that you may
by phone, when perhaps the matter can be sorted
want to complain or appeal.
out quickly and easily. If you are still not satisfied
with the way you are being treated or the problem
Making a complaint or an appeal
is more complicated, it may be appropriate to put
You will have seen from this guide that you might
things in writing.
be dealing with a number of different organisations
The organisation's system for dealing with
involved in student support - your LA, the SLC,
complaints should also be clear about what
your college, the Department for Innovation,
happens if you are still not satisfied with the way
Universities and Skills (DIUS), HM Revenue and
that your case or complaint is being handled. This
Customs and so on.
usually involves you being able to take a complaint
All these organisations want to provide good
to higher positions in the organisation ending with
services. But sometimes things go wrong or
the head of the organisation, perhaps the chief
mistakes are made. For example, there may be an
executive, chief officer or a director.
unacceptable delay, or you may find that you are
If you have been through the complaints system of
not dealt with politely, or a decision in your case
the organisation concerned and you are still not
seems wrong.
satisfied, there may be an independent review of
If this happens, you will need to decide if you want
complaints that you can go to. The organisation's
to make a complaint or to appeal against a
publicity material on their complaints system
decision that has been made. But before
should describe this and how to get in touch with
considering what to do, you should make sure that
that person or organisation. If it does not, please
you have done everything that you should have.
ask them what you should do.
For example, have you provided information or
Some local authorities may have set up their own
documents that you have been asked for or done
arrangements for providing an independent review
things on time?
of complaints, which they should include in their
publicity material.
What you should do if you want to
complain
But generally, the main ones involved in aspects of
student support are:
All public services should publicise their system for
handling complaints. They often do this in a leaflet
• the Local Government Ombudsman (for services
or as part of other publicity material. It will help you
provided by local authorities);
and the organisation that you are dealing with if
• the Parliamentary Ombudsman (for services
you follow their system.
provided by central government, for example,
So the first thing to do, if you do not know already,
the DIUS);
will be to find who to make your complaint to. This
• the Student Loans Company Assessor; and
may be to the person you have been dealing with
• the Adjudicator (for services provided by HM
or to one of the managers in the organisation.
Revenue and Customs, who will be involved in
collecting repayments of your loan after you have
finished studying).
39
11 What to do if you are not satisfied
What you should do if you want to appeal
If you are still not satisfied, you should make sure
This is different from making a complaint.
that you know how to appeal and who to appeal to.
Some of the organisations you will be dealing with
You may be happy with the way that the
have their own appeals arrangements, which you
organisation has dealt with you (they have been
should use first. These range from appeals to chief
efficient and polite and so on) but feel that the
awards officers in local authorities to appeals to
organisation has reached the wrong decision in
the tax commissioners, for decisions taken by HM
your case. For example, on whether you are
Revenue & Customs.
eligible for financial support, or how much support
you are entitled to.
But in some circumstances you may have to
consider using the legal system (going to a county
This means that appeals should be about:
court or applying for a judicial review in the high
• matters of law;
court) if, for example, you need to take the appeal
to another stage. This can also apply if it is the only
• decisions or action based on the interpretation of
route of appeal available in your particular case.
law or regulations; or
• breaking their obligations;
If you are thinking of doing this, you must first get
independent legal advice, for example from a
rather than failures in administration.
solicitor, a legal advice centre, the advice centre in
As with considering making a complaint, the
your university or student union, or Citizens Advice
organisation that you are dealing with should be
(which used to be the Citizens Advice Bureau).
able to give you information on how to appeal.
So your first step should be to make sure that you
have this information. But before going any further
you should also make sure that you have told the
organisation concerned that you are unhappy with
their decision. You should also ask them for an
explanation of how they have reached it. This may
help to sort the problem out without the need to
take it any further.
40
41
42
You can get a copy of this guide by calling the Student Finance information line
on 0800 731 9133, quoting reference S/FSHE/V8.
There is a free textphone service available on 0800 328 8988.
You can also get Braille, large print and audio versions of this guide by calling the
Freephone information line.
© Crown copyright January 2008
Published by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Extracts from this document may be reproduced for non-commercial research,
education or training purposes on the condition that the source is acknowledged.
For any other use, please contact [email address]
70% When you have finished with
ISBN 978-1-84478-987-0
this book please recycle it
