Mature uni student at 29 - tuition fees, loans etc

BBB

I've recently signed up for an access course to IT which starts in September, I'm fully confident that I'll get the necessary pass marks to then let me go to university in September 2012.

I'm hoping to go to Manchester Met in 2012 and will hopefully if all goes well move back there (I'm currently in Leicester).

Is it true that I could get my tuition fees paid as I'm a mature student and (to quote a friend), Uni's put more money into mature students as they know they'll put the graft in?

Am I eligible for the usual student loans, bursaries, grants etc? I live with my housemate and if we take the joint income into account even though come September 2012 I'll not be living there it'd be well under the £50,000 that is the requirement....

Cheers for any help.

GothicStirling

BBB wrote: »

I've recently signed up for an access course to IT which starts in September, I'm fully confident that I'll get the necessary pass marks to then let me go to university in September 2012.

I'm hoping to go to Manchester Met in 2012 and will hopefully if all goes well move back there (I'm currently in Leicester).

Is it true that I could get my tuition fees paid as I'm a mature student and (to quote a friend), Uni's put more money into mature students as they know they'll put the graft in?

Am I eligible for the usual student loans, bursaries, grants etc? I live with my housemate and if we take the joint income into account even though come September 2012 I'll not be living there it'd be well under the £50,000 that is the requirement....

Cheers for any help.

Yes, you are entitle to tuition fee loan and maintance loans, maybe even a grant. Because you are 25+ you're classed as an independent. Your flatmate's income doesn't matter unless they are a partner.

The Universities have a commitment to 'life long learning' [check their mission statements.] Having just finishing a degree, I do think the financial and time constraints on us mature students are tougher.

Also, once enrolled find out about discretionary awards [a non-repayable grant.]

BBB

When you say independant, does that mean that the household income wouldn't apply?

When you say time constraints, I'm going to be a full time student with a part time job as opposed to the other way around.

Thanks for your help

Lokolo

You are classed as independent if you are over 25 on first day of term.

It will be YOUR income that is assessed rather than parents.

As for tuition fees being paid cause you are a mature student, I've never heard of it and doubt it.

You may not get finance for your access course depending on the actual type of course it is.

http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=153,4680136&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

You can try doing the calculator here.

Oldernotwiser

BBB wrote: »

When you say independant, does that mean that the household income wouldn't apply?

When you say time constraints, I'm going to be a full time student with a part time job as opposed to the other way around.

Thanks for your help

An Independent Student is someone over the age of 25 or who has been supporting him/herself for at least 3 years or who is married.

Many mature students have domestic responsibilities or need to work more hours to service debt/maintain a lifestyle, which is what I assume GS is referring to when s/he talks about time constraints.

BBB

Just filled that in and according to that I could get

Maintenance Loan - £3497
Tutition Fee Loan - £3375
Higher Education Maintenance Grant - £2906

Interesting!

GothicStirling

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Many mature students have domestic responsibilities or need to work more hours to service debt/maintain a lifestyle, which is what I assume GS is referring to when s/he talks about time constraints.

Yes.

A lot of my fellow mature students were juggling studying with children and jobs.

Oldernotwiser

BBB wrote: »

Just filled that in and according to that I could get

Maintenance Loan - £3497
Tutition Fee Loan - £3375
Higher Education Maintenance Grant - £2906

Interesting!

You seem to be looking at figures for 2011, when you'll be going in 2012, under the new fee regime. Have a look at Martin's new guide to student finance and enquire of the university(ies) you're looking at going to, what fees they plan to charge and what additional financial support they'll be offering.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes

BBB

Cheers, much appreciated. I'm at a UCAS fair on Monday so hopefully the guys from Manchester Met will be there too.

wobblymummy

Hi

I am 33 and have gone back to Uni this year to do a course which set me up for starting my degree in September.

The course I am doing is a Foundation Joint Honours course which you do the first year as year zero also known as an Access course. Because it is a Foundation year and not Access it is fee paying but I have had full student finance entitlement too, and the lessons are the same as my student friends doing the Access course.

We have two children and would have struggled without student finance so Access would have been a bit of a nightmare for us.

Good luck x

podperson

Mature students aren't entitled to any more or less then 'regular' students, it goes off your income. If you are married or living with a partner then their income is taken into account but your flatmate's wouldn't be. Therefore you would get the normal student loans for fees and maintenance and possibly grants or bursaries, again depending on your income. I haven't heard of any mature students getting their fees paid for them - it has to paid back the same as everyone else's does.