What support is available in Academic Year 2009/10?

You can also find out information regarding support available in Academic Year 2010/11.

This information is for two types of student:

• Those who began their course in academic year 2005/2006 or before; or
• Those who began their course in Academic Year 2006/07, or 2007/08 and are continuing their course.

Where different support is available depending on your start date, you will be told that this is the case.

• Tuition Fees
• Student Loans
• Special Support Grant
• Higher Education Bursaries

Tuition Fees

Grants for Tuition Fees - Students who started studying in 2005/06 or before

You will be charged tuition fees of up to £1,285. You may be entitled to a grant to pay all or part of your tuition fees, but the amount of help you can receive will depend on your household ‘residual income’ (your household income after certain deductions). If your tuition fees are greater than the grant you receive, you will be entitled to apply for a loan to cover the difference.

Tuition Fee Loan - Contributions

From September 2006, eligible students will be able to apply for the new Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of any assessed contribution. This means that you won't have to find the money before or while you are studying. The fees will be paid directly to your university or college, and you only repay this support when you have completed your studies and are earning above the threshold of £15,000.

Variable Fee Loans for Tuition Fees - Students who started studying in 2006/07 or later

You will be charged tuition fees of up to £3,225. You will be entitled to apply for a Variable fee loan to the full value of your tuition fee cost.

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Student Loans – available to all continuing students

Loans are available to help with your living costs, e.g. course materials, accommodation, food, clothes, travel etc. Interest is charged at the rate of inflation, so the amount you repay will be equal in value to the amount you borrow.

Your loan is usually paid in three instalments, one at the start of each term, directly into your bank account. Student Finance ni will issue a payment schedule letter to you which will explain what amounts will be paid and when.

Loan Rates

The loan rates for your final year are lower since you complete Higher Education at the end of the Summer term.

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Special Support Grant - for Students who started studying in 06/07

Students who began their studies in 2006/07 or later can apply for a means-tested Special Support Grant of up to £3,406 in addition to 75% of the basic student loan rate.

Students who are eligible to receive the full £3,406 maintenance grant or Special Support Grant, and who are being charged the maximum £3,225 tuition fee, can also apply to their place of study for a bursary of £319.

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Higher Education Bursaries – for Students who started in 05/06 or before

Bursaries of up to £2,000 are available for students from lower income families. Full-time students in higher education who are eligible for loans for living costs and tuition fee support and whose household income is less than a certain level can apply.

The amount of the bursary will be assessed by reference to the student’s household income and is paid in three instalments just like the student loan. It does not have to be repaid.

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