Help!

Danny__3

Hi all,

I am 24 years old and contemplating going to University in september. I have an offer of a place at UCL to study for 4 years MEng. My only worry is I dont know if I will be able to afford it.

I should be considered an independent student from what I have read, but I am unsure how to work out what I will recieve in terms of loans and grants. I have been messing with the student loan calculator but the questions are bloody confusing and Im unsure If I am answering correctly. I have been in both full time study and part time study since I left school as part of an apprenticeship and this just confuses matters on that calculator lol.

Is there somewhere I can go to speak to someone face to face and get a definitive answer on what help I am entitled too?

If anyone on here can give me a rough idea this is my situation,

x) 24 years old (16/09/84)
x) Going to study full time at UCL for 4 years MEng living in halls
x) I have studied a HNC part time for the last two years, funded by my company which I will complete this June.
x) I should be able to get independent status as I have supported myself for the last three years (although I have lived with a parent these last two years I have paid 250 a month towards household bills and also pay my own bills such as phone and car loan).
x) I dont plan on working much other than a few part time jobs so my projected earnings for the year will be very low.

Thats about it!

Thanks!

currynchips

Where you live doesn't have any affect of independent status. If you have at least 3 years worth of wage slips that is enough, AND they don't have to be consecutive.
I am also 24, started again in Sept. I also did a previous 2 years as a young un.
I couldn't get tuition fee support as I'd already had 2 years and 1 terms worth(drop out, apparently counts as a full year). However I still got the full amount of maintenance loan(£5k) plus a bursary(£1k) which was from the uni.

Are you still living at home during uni? This will drop your maintenance loan, however if you haven't had loans for fees before they will cover this.

Danny__3

No i have had no loans, fee's or grants before. Do you still get maintenance grant?

BruceyBonus

Best thing is probably to use the calculator, but post here any questions you aren't sure about and someone will be able to help you answer the question.

If you haven't had any support before, you should get minimum 75% loan plus full tuition fee loan. The grant/rest of loan is all means tested.

Danny__3

The calculator just expires on me now! But the questions that are confusing are the ones asking about the course, I dont know which questions are asking about the course I am currently doing, or the course I am applying for. I also dont know what a proffesional qualification and if my course leads to it and and and and erm ....

BruceyBonus

Have you attended any full time or sandwich courses since you left school?
Answer yes if you've been to uni or done a degree, HNC, HND

How many years of Higher Education have you previously undertaken in the UK?
If you haven't been to uni then 0

Do you already have an honours degree from a UK Institution?
Do you have a degree?

What type of course have you previously undertaken?
Only answer if yes to the previous

Does your current course lead to an honours degree?
Only if at uni ATM

How many years does your current course last for?
Same as above

Does your course lead to a professional qualification?
As above

I've just summarised some of the questions - it doesn't cover everything but I hope it helps give you a rough estimate.

Fire_Fox

I am a mature student with an HNC, studied part-time funded by my ex-employer. I am presently working towards a Foundation Degree and then an Honours Degree next year. I get a full maintenance grant as I have never had funding from the state before and do not already hold an honours degree.

I don't know how living with your parents will affect your independent status, as I live in my own home. However any earnings you may make while working part-time during a full-time higher education course do not have to be declared on your student loans application - as they assume you will only get a bit of pocket money. You only declare unearned, taxable income - e.g. rent from a buy to let property.

As far as I can see, you will be entitled to a full maintenance grant and full student loan as you will be studying in London. Don't forget to apply for a 0% overdraft student bank account and council tax exemption if there is only one other adult in your home.

Professional qualifications are those which lead to registration with a nationally recognised body or job-specific training - an HNC is generally considered an academic/ vocational qualification.

Oldernotwiser

On the information you've given, I would expect you to receive the following;
Fee loan £3,145
Maintenance grant £2,835
Maintenance loan £5,215
Course/university bursary?
The fact that you've been living with your parents won't affect your independent status.

Taiko

I work as an assessor with an LEA currently, and based on the information given, you would be eligible for a maintenance loan, tuition fee loan and maintenance grant. The bursary is assessed by your university, but I would imagine you should receive that as well.

Even though you are living with parents, you should be given the elsewhere rate of maintenance loan as you are classed as independent. Applications for 09/10 starters should be available online in the next few weeks (LEA assessment system for next year apparently goes live on the 9th Feb, but I'm not convinced it will).

Danny__3

Thankyou everybody for all your help. It has definately put my mind at ease. I now need to find out about the student overdrafts, but have seen something on here allready about that. Thanks again.

Danny.