Higher education funding

For students who started their courses before 1 September 2006

This page provides a brief summary of the funding available for students who started their courses before 1 September 2006. This includes students who are started a degree course in 2007 straight after a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND.)

How do I apply?

You can either:

• complete a paper application form which will be sent to you by early April
• download an application form and print it yourself
• complete an application online, if this service is available

What help will be available?

You may be able to apply for:

• Tuition fee loan
• Maintenance loan
• HE grant
• Other help

Tuition fees loan

For 2008 to 2009, colleges and universities will be able to charge students who began their courses before 1 September 2006 up to £1255 per year. This will be means tested on family income. If a contribution is payable by the student to his fees, a loan will be available to cover the cost of this amount, and students will not have to start repaying it until the April after they leave the course, and then only when they are earning at least £15,000 per year.

Maintenance loan

The amount you will be entitled to depends on where you are studying, and on your family income. The maximum loan available will be £4,625 for those living away from home but not in London, £6,475 in London, and £3,580 for those living with their parent(s). 75% of this loan is available regardless of income, whilst 25% is means tested.

HE grant

This is payable if your course started between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2006. As last year, it is worth up to £1000. Your family income has to be below £16,750 to qualify for the full amount, and if family income is above £22,736 you will not qualify at all.

Other help

Other help may be available for certain students depending on family income and circumstances. This help does not have to be paid back. It includes:

• Parent Learning Allowance (PLA) of up to £1,470 per year
• Childcare grant of up to £148.75 per week for one child or £255 for more than one
• Adult Dependant Grant of up to £2,575 a year
• Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) - a range of help is available which is not subject to means testing
• Access to learning fund (administered by the university/college)

Where can I find out more?

Full details of the system of student support, including the rates of loan available and the repayment system, are explained in a guide booklet issued by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and available from their website. The booklet is entitled 'A guide to financial support for higher education students in 2008 to 2009', and is also available from the Plymouth Student Support Team.

When should I apply for help?

Application forms will be available from mid March. For a basic timetable of when to apply for funding please visit our timetable for applications page.

When will I get paid?

If you have correctly applied within the suggested dates, and have provided all the requested accompanying documents, you should receive your payment from the Student Loan Company in three instalments at the beginning of the autumn, spring and summer terms. In most cases all instalments will be paid directly into your bank account. Please see our timetable for applications page.

[Back to top]