Financial Support
| For the Attention of the Bournemouth University Students |
What help is available if I study full-time?
All new UK/EU full-time undergraduate applicants for mainstream government funding, who have not received a previous grant, may now apply for financial support through a department called Student Finance England. The new government department will administer all new applications and assess an applicant’s loan request and potential grants.
Financial support from Student Finance England is means tested. This assessment will determine whether or not you are entitled to full or partial financial support towards your tuition fees. The department can be contacted at www.direct.gov./financedirect
Foundation degrees are normally still eligible for funding even if the student has an equivalent or lower qualification under current HEFCE guidlines. If you do not apply for assessment, you may end up having to pay the University’s fees up front, and you may not receive Student Loans, Grants or University bursaries.
You can also call 0845 300 50 90 for advice on how to apply for financial support whilst in Higher Education. An adviser will help you with your application. Or you can apply online at www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk where you can also get information on what you need to do, and use the online calculator to find out how much you may get.
When should I apply?
You do not need to wait for your exam results to make your application for student finance. You should apply for student finance as soon as possible. You do not have to wait until you have a confirmed place, just use your first choice course and let them know of any changes later. That way you will have your finance sorted before your course starts.
From September 2010 Universities and Colleges will be able to charge new students up to £3,290 a year for their courses. So depending on what you study and where - you may have to pay a contribution up to a maximum of £3,290 a year. Amounts charged will vary between courses, as well as between different Universities and Colleges. However, you can get financial help so that you do not have to pay fees before you start college. Once you have registered for your course, when you start at college, we will notify Student Finance England (the Student Loans Company). Typically they will transfer the amount agreed, within approximately five days of when you register.
Don’t worry though – this money does not have to be paid whilst you are studying. You will be able to take out a student loan which starts to be repayable once you have finished studying and are earning more than £15,000 a year.
For the latest news about Student Loans for Tuition Fees, Maintenance Grants, Maintenance Loans and Bursaries visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance .
Maintenance Grants
This grant helps cover your living costs throughout the academic year.
From September 2010, new full-time students from lower income households will be able to apply for a non-repayable maintenance grant of up to £2,906 a year. How much you get will depend on your income and that of your household. If that income is around £15,000 or less, you are likely to be eligible for a full grant worth £2,906 a year. Partial grants are likely to be available for those with a household income of between around £15,000 and £33,000. Approximately half of all new full-time students are likely to be eligible for a full or partial grant. Grants are payable in three instalments – one at the start of each term.
Bursaries
Bournemouth University bursaries are available to UK/EU students starting a full-time course in the year 2010-11. It is a means tested award. In the year 2010-11 students who receive the full £2,906 Maintenance Grant automatically receive a £329 bursary. This award may increase in future years to cover inflation but does not cover any years on placement. Please keep a regular check on www.bournemouth.ac.uk/funding.
Bournemouth University Partnership bursaries are available to UK/EU students starting a full-time BU undergraduate course at a Partner College (excluding Bridgewater College and Cannington Centre for Land-based Studies) in 2010-11. These bursaries are not means-tested and are worth £500 per year. If you are eligible, you will receive the bursary automatically provided you have applied for mainstream government support.
Widening Participation bursaries may be available to those students who are under 21 and live in areas that the government has designated 'low participation neighbourhoods', where few people go to university. Care leavers bursaries are available to students who have been in care for a period of three months or more within the last five years, and who receive a full Maintenance Grant. Both these bursaries are available to Top-up students. For more information, please visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/funding
Extra help from your University or College
If you get into financial difficulties while studying, or you find yourself facing extra costs in completing your course, then you may be able to get help from your University or College.
Help is available from your University or College’s Access to Learning fund (or the Financial Contingency Fund for students in Wales). You should apply to the Student Support Office, Student Services Office, or the Student Union of your University or College if you think you may need extra help to complete your course.
What help is available if I study part-time?
If you are a part-time student – applying for the first time – you may be entitled to financial help through the Fee Grant, Course Grant and other sources (depending upon your circumstances). Whilst the Fee Grant is available to help with tuition fees, the Course Grant serves to help with study costs such as books materials and travel. For the most intensive courses, the maximum available for 2009 was £1,470 or £1,495 in 2010/11.
Applying for the Fee Grant and Course Grant
You will need to make a separate application for each academic year, using the application form for part-time student finance (PTG1). Application forms will be available from June onwards in paper or down-loaded form. Please visit www.directgov.uk..EducationandLearning
Part-time students who meet the criteria may apply for additional help from the Access to Learning Fund for help with costs such as childcare. In addition, for certain students on a low income studying between 10% and 50% of a full-time course, a discretionary fee waiver may be available through their University or College as well as help towards the other costs of study.
Students from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
If you normally live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, and are studying anywhere in the UK, your application for student finance will be dealt with by the authorities in your own region. Please visit the appropriate website.
Northern Ireland: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk
Scotland: www.saas.gov.uk
Wales: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Useful Financial Support and managing Money Websites:
www.ucas.com/students/studentfinance/managing_money
Want to train as a teacher?
You can get details of financial incentives for taking initial teacher training courses in England and Wales, by calling the teacher Training Agency’s Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 (0845 6000 992 in Wales). Or visit their website at http://www.tda.gov.uk
Students from the European Union
If you are from another EU country and are studyng in the UK, or intending to do so, please visit the Directgov section on Finance for EU students for information
Students from outside the European Union
For more information on fees, visas and finance, visit the UK Council for International Student affairs (UKCISA) website
