Becoming a student at 21/22

SavvyMail

Hi

I am hoping for some advice on the options I have regarding fees/costs for university.

I previously went to university at 18 straight from school. I did not like the course nor the university, so after a year I left. I have been working for the past 15 months and have now thought of going back to university to do the subject I truly enjoy.

This time however, I will not be 18 but will be 21 (nearly 22 when the course starts next September). I know how to apply however I am now wondering about fees and potential bursaries as I believe I will now be a mature student when I return (please correct me if I am wrong?)

I have been paying off my current student loan that I had, and have been made aware that as I did not complete the course I am applicable for a loan again, however I am wondering mainly about bursaries/lower costs etc. I will be living at home with my parents although I am not sure that they will be able to fully support me (and I do not know if the government thinks they should as I am now an adult).

So my main question is, will I be applicable for the student loan through the student loan company, and will I be viable for any potential bursaries as I will be a (mature?) student.

Thanks

Lokolo

You can't get independant status unless you can prove that you have been supprting yourself for 3 years I believe.

If you have been living at home, this will not count I do not believe.

Otherwise its over 25.

Oldernotwiser

Lokolo wrote: »

You can't get independant status unless you can prove that you have been supprting yourself for 3 years I believe.

If you have been living at home, this will not count I do not believe.

Otherwise its over 25.

Sorry, you're wrong on this one. As long as you've been working substantially or claiming benefits you'll be classed as having supported yourself, regardless of where you've lived.

Oldernotwiser

SavvyMail wrote: »

Hi

I am hoping for some advice on the options I have regarding fees/costs for university.

I previously went to university at 18 straight from school. I did not like the course nor the university, so after a year I left. I have been working for the past 15 months and have now thought of going back to university to do the subject I truly enjoy.

This time however, I will not be 18 but will be 21 (nearly 22 when the course starts next September). I know how to apply however I am now wondering about fees and potential bursaries as I believe I will now be a mature student when I return (please correct me if I am wrong?)

I have been paying off my current student loan that I had, and have been made aware that as I did not complete the course I am applicable for a loan again, however I am wondering mainly about bursaries/lower costs etc. I will be living at home with my parents although I am not sure that they will be able to fully support me (and I do not know if the government thinks they should as I am now an adult).

So my main question is, will I be applicable for the student loan through the student loan company, and will I be viable for any potential bursaries as I will be a (mature?) student.

Thanks

If you go next September you'll have only been working for 27 months so won't be classed as an independent student (unless you were claiming benefits for 9 months before that).

You'll be assessed on your parents' income and will receive the same amount as if you were 18.

If you have been supporting yourself for the full 3 years, or if you wait and go in 2011 you won't be assessed on their income and will receive the full loan/bursary/grant package, regardless of their income. (Unless you move in with someone.)

TG82

SavvyMail wrote: »

Hi

I am hoping for some advice on the options I have regarding fees/costs for university.

I previously went to university at 18 straight from school. I did not like the course nor the university, so after a year I left. I have been working for the past 15 months and have now thought of going back to university to do the subject I truly enjoy.

This time however, I will not be 18 but will be 21 (nearly 22 when the course starts next September). I know how to apply however I am now wondering about fees and potential bursaries as I believe I will now be a mature student when I return (please correct me if I am wrong?)

I have been paying off my current student loan that I had, and have been made aware that as I did not complete the course I am applicable for a loan again, however I am wondering mainly about bursaries/lower costs etc. I will be living at home with my parents although I am not sure that they will be able to fully support me (and I do not know if the government thinks they should as I am now an adult).

So my main question is, will I be applicable for the student loan through the student loan company, and will I be viable for any potential bursaries as I will be a (mature?) student.

Thanks

It makes no difference; Lokolo sounds right.

I was in a similar situation to you. I was 21 going on 22 when I went to uni in 2003. I had been living at home before that, so my parents still had to pay for me.

21-24 is a difficult age because you're kind of a mature student, but not classified as one in terms of funding.

You can always apply for hardship or 'access to learning' funds when you're on the course, if you're short of money, and you'd need to speak to the Student Union about that. If your parent/s are extremely broke, that might work in your favour too, but they'd have to prove it.

But your age won't advantage you, I don't think.

Hey, you're still classified as young though, so that's the upside! I'm 27 now, and it sucks. So don't wish you're older!

Lokolo

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Sorry, you're wrong on this one. As long as you've been working substantially or claiming benefits you'll be classed as having supported yourself, regardless of where you've lived.

Merci. I wasn't sure. Hence the 'I believe'. :cool:

Oldernotwiser

TG82 wrote: »

It makes no difference; Lokolo sounds right.

I was in a similar situation to you. I was 21 going on 22 when I went to uni in 2003. I had been living at home before that, so my parents still had to pay for me.

21-24 is a difficult age because you're kind of a mature student, but not classified as one in terms of funding.

You can always apply for hardship or 'access to learning' funds when you're on the course, if you're short of money, and you'd need to speak to the Student Union about that. If your parent/s are extremely broke, that might work in your favour too, but they'd have to prove it.

But your age won't advantage you, I don't think.

Hey, you're still classified as young though, so that's the upside! I'm 27 now, and it sucks. So don't wish you're older!

People often muddle the concepts of "mature" student and "independent" student. Mature students may have more flexible entry requirements based on employment experience but financially it's being an independent student that matters.