Help With Student Loans - HERE!

gandalf12

Hi,
I have twins who will be (hopefully) starting in September taking a National Diploma in Performing Arts, which I understand is equivalent to a BA Honours Degree.
I have been unable to discover what financial help they will be entitled to, and if the help is based on the family income, will they take into account the fact that they are twins and as such I will have to support two at college.
I have searched the DirectGov website but have not found any answers.
Thanks

Oldernotwiser

gandalf12 wrote: »

Hi,
I have twins who will be (hopefully) starting in September taking a National Diploma in Performing Arts, which I understand is equivalent to a BA Honours Degree.
I have been unable to discover what financial help they will be entitled to, and if the help is based on the family income, will they take into account the fact that they are twins and as such I will have to support two at college.
I have searched the DirectGov website but have not found any answers.
Thanks

A National Diploma isn't equivalent to a degree, it's a level 3 qualification, equivalent to A levels. If the household income is low, they'll be eligible to apply for EMA, which is up to £30 per week. Providing they are under 19 the fees will be free.

gandalf12

They are currently at sixth form college doing a BTEC National Diploma, which is the one that you are referring to.
When they move college in September, the course is a National Diploma in Professional Dance and is the vocational equivalent of a University Degree.

Thanks

Nanuq

gandalf12 wrote: »

They are currently at sixth form college doing a BTEC National Diploma, which is the one that you are referring to.
When they move college in September, the course is a National Diploma in Professional Dance and is the vocational equivalent of a University Degree.

Thanks

Is it a 2 year Higher National Diploma course, equivalent to years an HND/years 1 and 2 of a degree (though not a full 3-year degree)?

If it is, I think they should be entltled to university-type finance from the student-loans company. I'd phone them, have your twins phone them, or apply online. It probably won't be straightforward but it's well worth persevering.

Help will probably be based on the family income, but a percentage of the loan used to be non-means tested. Have a look at the student finance/loans website for up-to-date info.

gandalf12

Nanuq wrote: »

Is it a 2 year Higher National Diploma course, equivalent to years an HND/years 1 and 2 of a degree (though not a full 3-year degree)?

If it is, I think they should be entltled to university-type finance from the student-loans company. I'd phone them, have your twins phone them, or apply online. It probably won't be straightforward but it's well worth persevering.

Help will probably be based on the family income, but a percentage of the loan used to be non-means tested. Have a look at the student finance/loans website for up-to-date info.

No, its a full 3 year degree level course, but not a Higher National Diploma, as I understand it they dont call the vocational courses by the same name even though they are the same level.

Oldernotwiser

I think I know what you mean now.

My understanding is that these courses aren't funded in the same way as degree courses but by scholarships offered by the LSC and allocated by the institutions themselves. You need to contact the college direct for funding information.

Taiko

I'm wondering if you mean a DipHE, which sometimes attracts funding, provided the course is designated. If you can give me details on the course and where they will be studying, I'll check on my Designated Course list tomorrow when I'm back in the office.

Oldernotwiser

Taiko wrote: »

I'm wondering if you mean a DipHE, which sometimes attracts funding, provided the course is designated. If you can give me details on the course and where they will be studying, I'll check on my Designated Course list tomorrow when I'm back in the office.

DipHE has the same status as an HND. I think that the OP is talking about this, or similar.

http://trinitycollege.co.uk/site/?id=270

Funding


Course Providers

The majority of schools who provide the Trinity Professional qualifications also award scholarships under the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme run by the Learning and Skills Council. If you are a course provider and wish to become part of this scheme you can contact [EMAIL="dada@lsc.gov.uk"]dada@lsc.gov.uk[/EMAIL] for further information.
Students

All students who would like to receive a Dance and Drama scholarship for their training should apply to their chosen school who will allocate these scholarships through their audition processes. For further information contact the course provider you are applying to or the Learning and Skills Council. Students can also e-mail the LSC's Dance and Drama Awards helpdesk at [EMAIL="dada@lsc.gov.uk"]dada@lsc.gov.uk[/EMAIL].

Taiko

I've looked up the details under the Trinity College course, and there are no designated courses there.

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/studentsupport/des_.shtml

I've also logged in from home to SLC/LEA database, and nothing shows at all, so it's all indicating that institute doesn't attract funding.

As I say, if I can have the details of the college where it's studied, I'll check it out further. But on a quick glance over, it's a no.

Aspiring

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Student Loans are so different from ordinary debt that you can ignore most of the things that normally matter about taking out loans. When you're earning over £15,000 you pay back 9% of the excess and if you're not earning that amount you pay nothing back. Any money outstanding is wiped off after 25 years.

I went back to university as a mature student and have loans outstanding (due to be wiped out soon!:T ) and I've also been a student adviser. In your situation it really is very simple.

I am 46, currently taking an Access Course and have already received a conditional offer of a Uni place. I shall be 49 by the time I achieve my degree.

Could you tell me please, if I follow the advice of taking loans instead of using my savings, how that would benefit me? Probably a stupid question, but I was more focused on achieving my aspirations than the finance of it all and now I'm beginning to get nervous about it all.

What criteria is there to have the loans "wiped out"? Would it leave you with a poor credit rating if that happened?

I've looked very briefly at Lokolo's arithmatic on loan interest vs ISA interest and as I still have two dependent teens (who will be at the age to begin Uni the academic year after I leave) I still need to be able to offer them some form of financial support (if possible).

Any help, gratefully received.