Q. What financial support is available for university courses?
Full time students on undergraduate courses (e.g. first degrees, Higher National Diploma and equivalent) are eligible for support for tuition fees and living costs. Support for living costs is primarily through a student loan; some students are also eligible for additional grants.
NB: to be eligible for support you must have been “ordinarily resident” in the UK for the 3 years before the start of the course. Your entitlement to support may also be affected by your age (if you are over 50), and by previous study.
Q. When should I apply to you?
Application forms (HE1) are available from mid-January. In order to ensure that your loan is available at the start of the course, you must meet the following deadlines:
Eligibility application form (HE1) 14 March 2003
Financial assessment form (HE2) 20 June 2003
Loan application 1 month before start of course
Q. Do I need to provide any documents with the HE1 form?
The LEA will need to see your original Birth Certificate or UK passport. We advise you not to send these documents through the post. You can bring forms and documents to the Student Support section at ContactOldham at the Civic Centre.
Q. I've lost my original Birth Certificate. What should I do?
You can obtain a copy from the sub-district where the birth was registered or provide your current UK passport. Without your Birth Certificate or passport, it will not be possible to consider whether you are eligible for Student Support.
Q. I've lost my original birth certificate. What should I do?
Q. I'm taking a year out. Should I apply this year?
No - as long as you are definitely not going. If you are thinking about a year out but you are not sure, you should apply. You can withdraw the application at a later date without affecting your future entitlement.
Q. What happens if I change my college or course?
You should tell your LEA of any changes as soon as possible. A change of course/college might affect whether you are able to get financial help and how much you get
Q. How much support will I get?
Support is means tested on your and your family's income in the previous financial year. In 2003/04, support for dependent students is assessed as follows:
| Parental Income | Support available |
|---|---|
| Less than £20,970 | Full Loan.Tuition fees paid in full. |
| £20,971 - £31,230 | Full Loan.Contribution to Tuition fees. |
| £31,231- £38750 (living in parental home) | Reduced Loan (sliding scale).Student pays full Tuition fees (£1,125) |
| Above £38750 (parental home) Above £40740 (elsewhere) Above £42970 (London) | Non means tested loan only.Student pays full Tuition fees (£1,125) |
75% of the Loan is not means tested - all eligible students can apply for this. The remaining 25% is means tested on your family income. How much you get depends on where you are living and studying. In 2003/04 the maximum loan rates are*:
| Non means tested | Means tested | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £2,375 | £790 | £3,165 | |
| Elsewhere | £3,000 | £1,000 | £4,000 |
| London | £3,695 | £1,235 |
* Full year. Final year is reduced.
Q. I don't want a loan, why do I have to fill in the form?
If you don't apply for Student Support your college may charge you full tuition fees which may exceed £5,000.
Q. Will my Tuition Fees be paid for me?
It depends on your and your parents' income. You may have to pay the full fee (up to a maximum of £1,125 in 2003/04), part of it, or it may be paid for you (see above). NB: You cannot apply for tuition fees alone, so if you apply for help with fees you will also be advised about your loan entitlement. You should note, however, that you are not obliged to take out the loan if you don't want to.
Q. If I cannot pay all of my Tuition Fees at the start of the year, will I be able to pay them in installments?
Universities/colleges are responsible for collecting the fee contribution. They have been encouraged to be flexible where students face difficulties. Speak to them personally.
Q. I'm going to college at the same time as my sister or brother. Do my parents have to pay twice?
It depends on the level of your parent's income, if there is a contribution it is divided between both of you.
Q. My parents are separated. Will you use both incomes?
No. We must be satisfied that the separation is permanent. We will then establish the ‘appropriate parent' and use their income for the means test.
Q. I don't live with my parents. Will my student support be assessed on their financial circumstances?
Yes, unless you are an Independent student. To qualify as Independent you must be aged 25 before the start of the academic year. Alternatively, you must provide proof that you have been self-supporting for at least 3 years before the start of the course. This includes periods when you were in receipt of benefits, etc.
Q. I don't have all the documents to submit the financial form by the closing date. What shall I do?
Complete it to the best of your ability and send it to us. The LEA can make a provisional assessment until all the information has been provided. You should contact the Student Support office for further information.
Q. My parent, husband, wife, partner is self-employed and the business accounts have not been verified by the Inland Revenue (Self Assessment Tax Calculation form SA302). Does this mean I have to wait for this information before making an application?
In some instances the Student Support section can process your application on a provisional basis using estimated income. You should contact the Student Support section for advice.
Q. My parent, husband, wife, partner is in receipt of state benefits. Can I bring the benefit books to the Student Support office to prove their income?
The Student Support section will not accept benefits books as proof unless the benefit was Disability Living Allowance and or Mobility. The Confirmation of Benefits form (COB) enclosed with the financial form HE2 must be completed by the Benefits Agency.
Q. How long does the application process take?
This depends if you have submitted the forms by the deadline dates and if the LEA has all the correct information from you. Usually the financial form HE2 takes up to six weeks to process.
Q. Why have I got three financial notifications?
One copy is for you to return to the Student Loans Company.
One copy is for you to take to the university/college confirming the tuition fee contribution.
One copy is for your records.
Q. My parents don’t earn much. Why does my financial notification show that I have to pay the full contribution towards the tuition fees and that I am entitled to just 75
This may be because there is outstanding information that has not been provided with the financial form HE2. Check the information returned to you from the LEA as this informs you of the status of your application or contact the Student Support office for an explanation.
Q. How do I apply for the Student Loan?
You decide how much of the loan you want to borrow. You complete the back of the financial notification (which the LEA has sent to you), then forward one copy of the financial notification to the Student Loans Company. The Student Loans Company will send you a schedule of when the payments are to be made.
Q. Do I have to borrow the full amount of loan available to me?
No: it's up to you.
Q. How is the Student Loan paid to me?
The SLC will usually pay your loan in three instalments. The first is normally paid by cheque and the subsequent payments will be made directly into your bank or building society. The SLC will send you a payment schedule which tells you how to get your money.
Q. How long will it take the SLC to process my loan application?
That's difficult to say as workloads vary during the year. However, you must apply one month prior to the beginning of your course to be sure that the loan is available at the start of term.
Q. Why do I have to fill in forms every year?
Student Support is based on parental/husband/wife/partner's income in each financial year: the Student Support section needs to check income and also that your institution/course details have not changed.
Q. My parent, husband, wife, partner's income has been significantly reduced (e.g. been made redundant) since making the application. Can my financial support be reassessed to take this into account?
The LEA can take this into account. You should contact the Student Support section for more information. As long as the income has dropped by 15% from one financial year (the last financial year) to another (the current financial year) then a reassessment can be made.
Q. My parents have separated after making the application for financial support - can their change of circumstances be taken into account?
The Student Support section will require proof of separation. See above answer.
Q. I am married and have three children – is there any other help available?
You may be eligible for an Adult Dependant's Grant for your husband or wife, for the Childcare Grant and for the Parents Learning Allowance. These allowances depend on your and your family's income. You may also be entitled to Child Tax Credits from the Inland Revenue - you do not need to be working to qualify for this. (See also next 2 questions.)
Q. I am a single parent: what additional financial support is available?
You can apply for the Parents' Learning Allowance from the LEA. You could receive £4000 if you are a lone parent with one child, or £5000 if you have two or more children. You may also apply for the Childcare Grant. You should also apply for the Child Tax Credits from the Inland Revenue. Contact the Inland Revenue on 0845 300 3900. E-mail www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits. (See also next question.)
Q. My children require childcare - can I get help with childcare costs?
Yes, if you are a lone parent or if your husband or wife is working and on a low income, or is disabled and unable to work. The childcare provider must be registered or approved. You can claim up to £114.75 a week (85% of actual costs up to £135 a week) for one child. Up to £170 a week (85% of actual costs of up to £200 a week) for two or more children.
Q. I have a disability – can I get any extra help?
You may qualify for assistance through the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), if you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), which means you will incur additional expenditure on your course. You will need to provide medical proof such as a letter from your doctor or, in the case of dyslexia, a psychological assessment.
Q. I’m a part time student - can I get any help?
Help is available if you are an undergraduate and your course is at least 50% of a full time equivalent course. If you are on a low income or means-tested benefits you can apply to the university or college for assistance with your fees, and to the LEA for a £500 loan to help with living costs. If you have a disability you may also get help through the Disabled Students Allowance.
Q. When do I have to start repaying my loan?
You start to repay the loan in the April following your completion or withdrawal from the course. You must be in employment and earning over the threshold - currently £10,000pa. Payments are deducted through PAYE.
Q. What will the rate of interest be when I repay the loan?
It will be in line with inflation and related to the Retail Price Index.
Q. Will the loan affect my credit rating when I leave college?
Q. What happens if my money runs out?
Q. How do I apply for financial support?
You need to complete an application form (HE1), and send it to the Local Education Authority (LEA) where you live. Forms are available from the Student Support section at Oldham LEA, from schools and colleges in Oldham, or you can download a form from the DCSF Student Support website at:
www.dcsf.gov.uk/studentsupport/formsandguides/index.shtml
When you return the form we will assess whether you are eligible for support and, if you are, will send you a financial assessment form (HE2). Forms should be returned to:
Student Support
Education and Cultural Services Department
Oldham
Metropolitan Borough Council
PO Box 40
Civic Centre
West
St
Oldham
OL1 1XJ.