Introduction

The following information has been compiled using the Department for Education and Skills 'Financial support for higher education students in 2005/2006' guide and is intended as general guidance. You can obtain a free copy of this guide by phoning the DfES or by visiting the DfES website.

Telephone: 0800 731 9133

URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/formsandguides/index.shtml

I have already applied to my Local Education Authority (LEA) for assessment but for another School, what should I do?

As soon as you have confirmation of a place at another institution you should inform the LEA in writing that you will no longer be going to your original choice of school. You should provide them with details of the new school, i.e. name, course, commencement and length of study.

I haven't applied to the LEA for financial assistance yet, what should I do?

You will need to contact your LEA by phone for an award pack. Your LEA assesses support for tuition fees and 25% of the student loan. The latest you can apply for support is four months after the first day of the start of the course (1st September). The pack will contain a series of forms for completion by you, your parents (if you will be a "dependant" student) and the institution where you will be studying. You should be sent a renewal form for each year of your course.

What is a dependant student?

If you do not fall into one of the following categories, you will be a dependant student and your parents must provide evidence of their income in order to establish whether they should contribute towards your tuition fees or student loan.

You are aged 25 or older before the start of the academic year for which you are applying;
You have supported yourself for at least 3 years through earnings or taxable benefits prior to the start of the course;
You have been married before the start of the academic year for which you are applying for support;
Your parents are deceased, or you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents;
You are in the care of a local authority or voluntary organisation, or under a custodianship order on your 18th birthday or immediately before your course if you are not 18 when it begins.

If you have been married for at least 2 years prior to the start of the course, your spouse will be asked to provide evidence of income to assess if they are required to make a contribution towards your funding.

What help is available to students in 2007/08?

The following information is a summary of the help available to students in 2007/08. Further details are available in our guide "Financial support for higher education students in 2007/08". You can get a copy of this guide from;
* your Local Education Authority (LEA),
* our Information Line on 0800 731 9133,
* the Forms and Guides page of this website.

How much loan can I get?

The maximum amount of loan that you can get in 2007/08 is;
- £4,000 for students living away from home
- £4,930 for students in London and living away from home
- £3,165 for students living at home

75% of the maximum loan is available to all eligible students regardless of any other income they have. Whether you can get any or all of the remaining 25% depends on your income and that of your family. This will be assessed by your LEA.

Help with fees

In 2007/08 the most any student will be asked to contribute towards their fees is £1,125. Many students will be asked to contribute less than this depending on their family income.

For 2007/08, students who depend financially on their parents and whose parents' residual income (income before deductions but minus certain allowances) is:

*less than £20,970 - make no contribution
*between £20,970 and £31,230 - pay a part contribution, worked out on a sliding scale
*£31,231or more - the full fee contribution of £1,125.

For 2003/04, students who are financially independent of their parents and whose family income (income before deductions but minus certain allowances) is:

*less than £18,040 - make no contribution;
*between £18,040 and £26,679 - a part contribution, worked out on a sliding scale
*£26,680 or more - pay the full fee contribution of £1,125.

Student Loans

The maximum student loan entitlement for students studying outside London and not living at the parental home whilst studying in 2007/2008 is £3,905. Loan rates are slightly less for students living at home whilst studying, for 2005/06 the maximum loan is £3,090. Please note that all student loan entitlements are reduced in the final year.

The Student Loans Company pay student loans in three term instalments. The first instalment comes in the form of a cheque that will be ready for you to collect at registration (this is only guaranteed if you submitted your forms to the LEA by the given deadlines). Subsequent term loan payments will be paid directly into your bank account.

If you decide that you would like to take out a loan, you will need to complete the loan request form on the reverse of your Financial Assessment letter and send it to the Student Loans Company before the start of the academic year (where possible).

If you are an existing award holder i.e. you are a pre-1998 entrant, or 1998 gap year student, you will need to contact the Student Support Office in order to apply for your Student Loan.

For more information contact the Student Loans Company.

Student Loans Company (SLC)
Telephone: 0800 40 50 10 free phone
URL: http://www.slc.co.uk/

Further assistance for students with dependants

If you are a single parent or have dependants, you can apply through you LEA for the following assistance:

Dependant's grant

You must be a full-time student, under 55, with children or adult dependants.
You could qualify for up to £2,225 a year for your first child or dependant and then up to a maximum of £1,780 for each other dependant depending on their age.
The Student Loans Company pays the Dependants' grant in three instalments. You do not have to repay this help.

Childcare grant

You must be a full-time student, under 55, with dependant children in registered and accredited childcare. You are not entitled to this grant if you are already in receipt of the lone parents' grant.
The amount you will receive is based upon 85% of the actual costs of childcare during term time and the short vacations, and 70% of the actual costs during the long Summer vacation. There is an upper limit of £114.75 per week for one child and £170 per week for two or more children.
It is usually paid in three instalments from the Student Loans Company along with your loan and any other dependants' grants. You do not have to repay this help.
Travel, books and equipment grant

You must be a full-time student, under 55, with dependant children. You are not entitled to this grant if you are already in receipt of the lone parents' grant.
Payments are up to £510.

It is usually paid in three instalments from the Student Loans Company with your loan. You do not have to repay this help.
School meals grant

If you have dependent children aged between 3 and 16 for whom you are eligible to receive the dependants grant, you may be eligible for a school meals grant for each child.

You must be a full-time student, under 55, with dependant children aged 3 to 4 or with dependent children aged 5 to 16 who are going to either an LEA-maintained school, a city technology college, a city college for the technology of the arts, or a city academy and are eligible to receive dependants' grant payments.
Payments are up to £255 for a primary school child and £275 for a secondary school child (in most cases).
One payment direct from your LEA. You do not have to repay this help.

Loan parents' grant

You must be a full-time student, under 55, with dependant children
The lone parents' grant is only available to students who started their course in 2007/08 or before and who do not receive the childcare grant.
Up to £1,100 in 2007/08.
It is usually paid in three instalments from the Student Loans Company, with your loan. You do not have to repay this help.
If you would like to receive a booklet containing information about these additional sources of support please contact the DfES on:

Telephone: 0800 731 9133
URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA's)

If you have a disability you can apply for help with the extra costs you have, as a result of attending your course and as a direct result of your disability. The allowances can help with the cost of a non-medical personal helper, major items of specialist equipment, travel and other costs. DSA is for both full-time and part-time undergraduates and postgraduates and is not affected by an age limit. The DfEE booklet, 'Bridging the Gap', provides more information.
You can obtain a free copy by telephoning the number below, or visiting the DfES website.

Telephone: 0800 731 9133 (Braille and audio cassette versions are also available)

URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport