Any advice please!!

The_One_Who

There are loans to pay the fees. Also, I think the maintenance loans/grants/bursaries are very generous compared to the maximum available in Scotland. I have seen some people in England get about £8,000 per year, compared to the maximum £4,500 in Scotland.

proudmum_3

My son is studying at UEA. He had to take out a student loan for his studies and gets a maintenance loan for accomodation. All of which he has to repay.
My DH and i both work although we don't earn very much and my husband was unemployed for part of last year.
It is a struggle for students but most seem to manage quite well. We can't afford to give him an allowance so he has no option.
He has however got a part time job which helps pay for his phone bill and extras. He also works all summer to save for the following academic year.
Most student unions can offer a few hours work too.
Try not to worry too much. You'll be surprised how they do manage! My son knows that if we had spare money we would help out but understands we can't at the moment.
4 years is a long time and things might change down the line.
Just be proud of him. I know my son has had the time of his life at Uni and wouldn't change anything.
Wish him luck.

silvercar

Just researched on the various websites.

Assuming studying away from home at an english uni outside London.

Non-means tested students (family income over 60k roughly).

From Wales: £3145 tuition fee loan + £3470 maintenance loan
From England: £3145 tuition fee loan + £3470 maintenance loan

Means tested students (maximum):

From Wales: £3145 tuition fee loan + Assembly learning grant £2835 + £3370 maintenance loan
From: England: £3145 tuition fee loan + £2835 maintenance grant + £3365 maintenance loan


The difference between studying in Wales and studying in England for welsh students only is that part of the tuition fees comes as a grant rather than a loan. (Instead of £3145 loan it is 1255 loan + 1890 grant). This applies to all students, whatever their means. So the difference is that welsh students would have part of their tuition fees paid as a grant rather than a loan. Obviously this is important in the long term as they will have less loan to repay when they are adults, but for their time at uni they will be on a par with english students.

24MKshopper

I agree proudmum it's nice to know what others are going through and maybe we can help guide each other.
silvercar thanks too, what a lifeline this site is! X

proudmum_3

Once you have got over the tears, the 'empty nest' syndrome, the constant urge to ring to make sure he is OK etc.. time will pass really quickly. As long as he knows you are there to support him he will survive. It won't be long until he is home complete with 3 months laundry!! Students are also great at supporting eachother as they are all in the same boat.
Sometimes i think we feel that money is the be all and end all. Yes it does help but we would never have let our lack of finances get in the way of our sons' future.
My son is now in his 3rd year, but i still feel the same each time he goes back!
Good luck. x

24MKshopper

Well the bags under my swollen eyes show what it's like at the moment! even my oh said he can understand why people have more children later on as the house just isn't the same (even though we've got 2 still at home),I'm not convinced though! Thanks proudmum. 3 years and we'll be going through this all over again!