HE financial support
HE financial support for programmes starting in September 2012
Changes from September 2012
If you are enrolling onto one of our higher education programmes starting in September 2012 (academic year 2012/13) you will be on a new student finance scheme.
The main changes are:
• tuition fee loans will go up to cover the higher fees
• you don’t start repaying your loan until you earn £21,000 (up from £15,000)
• part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan (replacing grants)
To cover the costs of studying you can apply for:
• a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees in full
• a Maintenance Loan for living costs like rent (full-time students only)
• a Maintenance Grant if your household income is less than £42,600 (full-time students only)
• scholarships and bursaries from universities
• extra financial help if you have a disability or children or adults depending on you
If you are a full-time student you do not have to repay any loans plus interest until you complete your programme and start earning more than £21,000 a year.
If you are a part-time student and earn over £21,000 a year you have to start repaying your loan after three years even if your programme hasn't finished.
Maintenance Grants, Scholarships or bursaries don’t have to be paid back
You can also apply for a Maintenance Grant if your family income is below £42,600. You can get:
• £3,250 if your household income is £25,000 or under
• £50-£3250 if your household income is between £25,000 and £42,600
These grants are paid into your bank account at the start of each term, once you've registered on your programme.
Scholarships, bursaries and awards
You may be eligible to get a bursary, scholarship or award directly from our university partners.
How to apply for student finance
The main student finance application at the Student Finance England lets you apply for student loans and grants from the government. You'll need to select the relevant form depending on whether you are studying full-time, part-time or taking a teacher training programme.
Remember you will need to make a new application for each year of your programme.
You need to wait until early 2012 to apply for student finance.