#SpotlightOn Funding University

#SpotlightOn Funding University

There is a range of student funding to help you with the costs of studying and living at university.

While you are studying you will have two main costs:

·      Tuition fees

·      Living costs

Tuition fees are charged by your university or college to cover the cost of your course per year. In Wales, tuition fees have been capped at ￡9,000 per year, but in other parts of the UK you could be charged up to ￡9,250 per year for a full-time undergraduate course.

Full and part-time students can apply to Student Finance Wales for a loan that will cover the university tuition fees.

Key things to know:

·      The amount of Tuition Fee Loan you get does not depend on your household income

·      The Tuition Fee Loan is usually paid directly to your university or college

·      Tuition Fee Loans must be repaid, including interest, but you will only start repaying this loan when you have finished your studies and you have started earning a salary

Funding for living costs

Welsh students can also apply to Student Finance Wales for funding to help with costs such as food, rent, books and other costs when you are studying at university or college, and often living away from home.

Maintenance funding is made up of a combination of:

·      Maintenance Loan

·      Maintenance Grant

All eligible Welsh students will be able to apply for up to a maximum of ￡10,710 maintenance funding for the academic year 2022 to 2023. If you are studying in London and living away from home, you will be able to apply for up to a maximum of ￡13,375.

How much of your maintenance funding comes from either a grant or loan will depend on your household income and where you study and live.

For example:

If you are from a lower household income (￡18,370 or less), you could qualify for a grant of ￡8,100 to go towards your living costs, with the remaining ￡2,610 being in the form of a loan.

You can find out how much grant and/or loan you could get based on your household income at Student Finance Wales.

Key things to know:

·      A Maintenance Loan must be repaid. A Maintenance Grant does not have to be repaid, unless you leave your course, or your circumstances change

·      All eligible Welsh students will qualify for a minimum Maintenance Grant of ￡1000, regardless of your household income

·      Student Finance Wales will pay your Maintenance Loan and Maintenance Grant directly into your bank account in 3 instalments, usually at the beginning of each term

·      Part-time students will receive similar support on a pro-rata basis based on the course’s intensity

·      You may need to provide evidence of your identity and to prove your household income

·      Maintenance Loans must be repaid, and you will be charged interest on your loan from the first day the money is paid into your bank until the loan is paid in full or cancelled

Extra support funding

You may also be able to apply for extra funding to support you with costs, if you have a disability or have caring responsibilities for children or an adult. Some of the extra support you may be able to apply for includes:

-         Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

-         Students with children Childcare Grant

-         Students with children Parents’ Learning Allowance (PLA)

-         Adult Dependants’ Grant (ADG)

Key things to know about extra support funding:

·      You may need to apply for extra support funding separately to your main funding application

·      You may need to supply evidence that you qualify for any of the extra support funding available. Check what evidence is required at Student Finance Wales

·      Extra funding may be paid directly into your bank account or directly to the company providing your support service

·      You normally will not have to pay back extra support grants and allowances, but always check

Scholarships and bursaries

Don't forget to check if there are any scholarships, bursaries, or other grants that you could apply for in addition to your student finance funding.

Key things to know:

·      Scholarships are usually offered for achievement or excellence in academic achievement, sports or music and other creative subjects

·      Bursaries and grants are usually based on low household income or your personal circumstances, for example, if you have a disability or are from a particular region or country

·      Scholarships and bursaries can be offered by universities, colleges, employers, or other organisations who support students

·      Grants are usually offered by charities, Trusts and other organisations

·      Most scholarships, bursaries, and other grants do not need to be repaid, but always check

For further information or help with funding contact us by phone, email, or webchat. We also work in centres around Wales so use our interactive map to find a location near you for a face to face discussion.