Money help and Advice for a Mature student

tori2shoes

I am hoping to go back to university this september and will be classed as a mature student. I already have a degree so i am not entitled to a student loan, as the degree i want to do, is the same level as the one i already have.

I am a single person with no children, living in my own home.

Was just wondering if any one can advise me on any grants or loans i can apply for, as paying out £9,000 on tutition fees plus paying for a home and living/travel costs is going to be a big stretch.

Please Help!!!!

Person_one

Yikes, thats a big undertaking!

I'm doing a second degree too but its an NHS one so no tuition fees. Do you have the cash to pay 27K upfront? If you do, well done!

Are you currently working? How much can you save before September?

Are you currently renting or do you own your home? If you're renting I'd look at finding cheaper accommodation such as a shared house or even halls.

Most universities have bursaries for students on low incomes, which you will be once you start so talk to the finance office and find out what's available.

tori2shoes

I am hoping to do social work, and i know i will get a bursary from them, but it will cover very little in comparison to the amount i will need :doh:

Jezminda

As far as I know there isn't anything. I'm 'mature' and doing my first degree and no extra funding other than loan/bursary from the uni itself.

tori2shoes

I have found there is very little advice for mature students. Its all based on college leavers. Which isnt very helpful.
I know there is the maintainence loan and bursary.

Does anyone know if you can pay tuition fees in smaller installments?

Oldernotwiser

Presumably you'll be doing the postgraduate qualification in social work for which the funding is different.

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/825.aspx

tori2shoes

No its undergraduate degree.

MrsManda

tori2shoes wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can pay tuition fees in smaller installments?

You need to speak to the university's finance department, they'll be able to advise you as to whether you can set up a tuition fee payment schedule with them.

If you contact the student support services/union it's likely you'll be able to speak to someone about funding available to mature students though apart from your bursary and maintanence loan I don't think you'll get anything from the standard student loan funding package.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Typesoffinance/DG_171537

You may be able to apply to the hardship fund if you find yourself in difficulties while at university.

It may be possible for you to apply for a Professional and Career Development Loan but I'm not sure if the fact that you'll be receiving a bursary/maintanence loan will make you ineligible. May be worth looking into.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/CareerDevelopmentLoans/DG_10033237

It may be a silly question but have you considered doing a PG course rather than UG?

tori2shoes

i am not elligible for a student loan that is the problem.

If i did get a student loan there would not be a problem.

No i couldnt do a pg.

MrsManda

tori2shoes wrote: »

i am not elligible for a student loan that is the problem.

Are you sure? Taiko will be able to clarify because I don't know if the rules will have changed for 2012 but the link I posted above about funding for NHS and Social Work courses says that graduates studying UG social work courses can apply for a maintanence loan.

Social work

Bursaries are available to eligible social work students who:

• don’t get funding from their employer
• are studying an approved undergraduate or postgraduate course in social work

Your university or college will tell you if your course qualifies.
Undergraduate students may also be able to get help from the standard student finance package, including student loans.
Graduates doing an undergraduate social work course can apply for the Maintenance Loan part of the standard student finance package.

tori2shoes

Yes i can get the maintaince loan, but thats not enough to cover the cost of my degree. Its mainly used to help pay for living costs. I am not elligible for the student loan, that covers the £9000 tuition fees.

I need help paying for everything. £9000 tuition fees, plus travel, plus living costs, plus having a life. But think the last one will just have to be forgotten about for the next 3 years.