With all the media attention student loans bring, it can be difficult for new students today to get to the basics.
So, to set the record straight, the following student loans are available:
- a tuition fee loan – for which both full-time and part-time students may apply
- a maintenance loan – to help pay the general costs of living; though these loans are available to full-time students only.
The tuition fee loan will cover the fees charged each year for your course. It will be paid directly to the university or college. For courses starting after the 1st September 2012, the fees are £9,000 a year for new full-time students, £6,000 for new full-time students at a private university or college, £6,750 for new part-time students and £4,500 for new part-time students at private university or college .
Please note; the university or college sets the fees for the course for which you’re applying. This information will be available in the prospectus and/or website. If you can’t find the information you need, call and ask. After all, it will probably need to be paid back by your future earnings!
Why “probably”? Because the loans are only repayable currently once recipients start to earn over £21,000 a year.
There may also be bursaries and/or scholarships available for some students and from certain universities and colleges. Again, each institution has its own policies in this regard, so you’ll need to ask.
Students may also be able to get additional help if they have dependants and/or have a disability or other specific learning difficulty.
The Student Loans Company is the public body set up specifically to provide financial services for students via loans and grants. Go to www.slc.co.uk for further details.
Written by David, a financial blogger. He specialises in everything from student to payday loans and tries to offer advice where possible.
