just been acccepted on FT uni course, next step for discounts ?

richev

Hi all

Today i had my interview etc at uni. Im so happy as i got the placement i was after. my auntie said to me today that i will get student benefits now.
being 27 and going back to uni full time it is going to be tough money wise.. I will get through it but the second i heard discounts my ears pointed up

what are my 1st steps for student discounts ?

Where do i go to sign up ??

Is it just 1 card ? can i just use my student card when i get it ??


I will bring all this up when i call student finance at my uni but i am so thrilled at being accepted i just thought i would come on here and see what student stuff i could get !!! Hope i did not bore you all. Also sorry if this stuff has been brought up before.. I am just about to eat my dinner than i am going to come back and read through tons of threads.

Many thanks !!!!

Richard

Lokolo

Are you starting this year or next?

richev

Hi
I am starting this year
early october

Lokolo

Are you doing a bachelor degree or foundation course or what?

I am assuming degree as you said about student loan. Get the maximum available. Even if you don't use it all you can put it in savings and get a better rate of return than you are paying.

When you go, you will get given a student card. As soon as you do, more or less you can get discounts all over the place, just keep asking wherever you go.

Do you live on your own? If so, you get council tax exemption.

richev

Thanks for your reply

I am doing a BA Hon degree in youth and community studies.
Its a 3 year full time course.

I am currently living at home with my parents and will do so until the course has finished.
1 am 27 and have been told that i will be able to get max funding.

In regards to the student card. Do i just use the student card once i get it or do i have to apply for this NUS card as well ?

In regards to a student loan. I was going to pay the course fee in cash ( bank transfer etc ) in full per term.
Your comment
' I am assuming degree as you said about student loan. Get the maximum available. Even if you don't use it all you can put it in savings and get a better rate of return than you are paying. '


Do you mean that i should apply for the loan anyway and put the money into a high interest account and earn on it ? if that is what you mean i axtually never considered that !! What is the deal with that. ? What will i be charged in % for having the student loan ?


Many thanks again for your time !!

Richard

Lokolo

You get charged the rate of inflation. Savings rates are usually a bit higher than these.

Currently the interest you pay on student loan is 3.8%. If you have some of the spare loan you can put it in an ISA savings account earning 6%.

So the account balances will go:

Interest charged per year at 3.8% @ £1000: £38
Interest gained per year at 6% ISA @ £1000: £60

Making you a gain of £22. This is an example of course.

You can get a tuition loan which means student loan will pay the university without you seeing it, which means you could save that £3000 in cash you have in an ISA, and with the above example - you could be earning some money.

I wouldn't bother paying £10 for an NUS card. All universities will give out student cards for identity in the university and this is usually widespread. There are a few places however which do require you to have NUS card though.

Do you travel by train a lot? If so, a student rail card (costing £20 I think) will be beneficial. However, it cannot be used in peak times (something to consider).

richev

thats a good idea.
Im up for saving any money if it is earned on interest thats fine as well !!

When the 3 years is up will i have to move that money from a isa into a bank account so they can start taking money to pay off the loan ?
Im assuming they can not just take the payment in installments from the cash isa can they ?

I will not use the rail no. but i may use busses. is that covered ? is there any discount for using a bus. ? I mean i do drive but a car park close may be a bit expensive.

Lokolo

Not sure about the bus. There maybe.

Um the student loan will actually come straight out your pay. But I wouldn't worry about it. If you have £3000 in savings from loan you will only see a small % of your income from your pay go back to student loan.

Louby_Lou85

Hiya, i know from experience that some place accept you uni card as proof of you being a student, and will give you student discount. But some places (the majority i've been into) only accept the NUS extra card, which can either be bought from your union, or online at www.nus.org.uk it does cost £10 but honestly its worth it. Someone else mentioned on here the other day aswell about a bite card which is free from www.bitecard.co.uk which is a discount card for food places in train stations. If your travelling and using the bus/train, check out with your local travel provider, I know arriva travel do student deal on term time bus tickets, and some train services offer discounts for weekly/monthy tickets.

Louby_Lou85

The link for the arriva student ticket is http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/__8025706500391AF6.nsf/vWeb/wpNPOK6FHJQN thats if arriva operate in your area

Pandora_2

Hiya, with regards to the NUS Extra card, at some uni's if you are a first year you can get it free, and only have to pay for the subsequent years. Definately check with your uni if you can get it free or not as it's well worth having