Funding options for university
Student Loans are just the tip of the iceberg - check out the range of funding options available to you if you want to study at university.
Student Loans are just the tip of the iceberg - check out the range of funding options available to you if you want to study at university.
"All eligible students can get help with tuition fees and living costs through Student Loans."
Student Loans
All eligible students can get help with tuition fees and living costs through Student Loans. You'll be able to take out two Student Loans per academic year – one for tuition fees and another for maintenance, which covers day-to-day expenses and accommodation. How much you get depends on your household income. Student Loans have to be paid back, but you don't have to start making repayments until you've left your course and are earning over £15,000. If you start making repayments from April 2012, you'll have the option of taking a repayment break of up to five years. Read our full guide to student loans to find out more.
Maintenance Grant and Special Support Grant
These grants, which don't have to be repaid, are to help with accommodation and other living costs while you're on a full-time higher education course. If you qualify, you'll receive either one or the other – more often then not it will be a Maintenance Grant. However, you could qualify for the Special Support Grant if you receive Income Support or another means-tested benefit, such as Housing Benefit. The maximum you can get for either grant is £2906 in academic year 2009/2010.
Bursaries are extra sources of help from your university or college that don't have to be repaid. Institutions in England will offer at least a minimum bursary payment if you're getting the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant.
A number of organisations offer grants on top of the student finance package provided by the Government. You can find information at most public libraries, or you can ask a student advisor at your college or university. Useful publications include: the Educational Grants Directory; the Charities Digest; the Grants Register; and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts.
Extra help
You may qualify for extra help on top of Student Loans, grants and bursaries if you're disabled, or you have a mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. Extra help may also be available if there's a child or an adult who depends on you financially.
Help for disabled students
If you have an impairment, health condition (including a mental health condition) or specific learning difficulty, like dyslexia, you may be entitled to claim extra financial help. This is paid on top of anything you get through the standard student finance package and includes:
Fee grant and course grant
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for the part-time Fee Grant (for help with tuition fees) or Course Grant (to help study with books, materials and travel). How much you get depends on your household income and personal circumstances. For the most intensive courses, the maximum available through the Fee Grant and Course Grant combined is £1470 in academic year 2009/2010. If you're getting certain benefits, you'll qualify for the maximum automatically. Otherwise, how much you can get depends on your personal circumstances and household income. You don't have to pay back these grants.
NHS bursaries
If you are in training for social work, medicine or certain areas of healthcare, you may be able to get a bursary through the NHS. DirectGov outlines the help available to students ordinarily resident in England. In some cases this help is paid on top of the standard finance package available to other higher education students, and in other cases instead of it.
Funding for Initial Teacher Training courses
There is a range of financial help available both during and after teacher training. Read this guide if you are in England, or this guide for Welsh students.
By Emma Rubach.