Tutition Fees Argument(Ex-Student Loans)

lucien_roach

I had been really looking forward to Uni this year, then today i decided to look at what finance was availible to me...
I have two choices Leicester and Newcastle, Newcastle being the prime choice. so i have calculated that i will get around £3380 per year this isn't even enough to cover the rent. If i wanted to live in the halls the cheapest residency near the uni is £3539 per year (if i used a further away halls travel costs would push this even higher). :mad:
how the hell am i expected to cover the rest of the costs of being a student without getting a job (which is condemned by the university).

I do not want to use my parents as financial support.

I thought this looked funky so i put it in

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>:money:

lucien_roach

I guessed the big thing was how do people afford it?

ames123_2

Do you have a job at the moment because if so you could save from that. Also work over the summer.

Oldernotwiser

Are you eligible for the maintenance grant? If you are not eligible, because your parents' income is too high, it's not unrealistic to expect some financial help from your parents. Although excessive part time job hours are not a good thing, a Saturday job or a couple of nights' working in a bar will do you little harm. If you put these two things together with savings you can amass over the summer holiday, you should be able to manage quite well, particularly as the accommodation you mention includes most meals.

ames123_2

What course are you doing? I'm only being general here but in the first year for a lot of courses the grade doesn't count as long as you pass. There is normally enough time for a job for a few hours without it effecting your study too much. Obviously if you are going to be doing a course say with placements each day then that doesn't apply.

slowlyfading

Have you got a job? You need to get a part time one/holiday one and save the money you earn. I had 3 jobs last summer just so I could come back to do my second year at uni. Can't your parents help at all? if that's the loan you're getting, i presume they earn quite a decent amount annually.
Nicola

dmg24

Everyone is right - you need to get a job! I know people that went to Newcastle, and the university had no problems with them working part time alongside their courses, particularly in the early years.

parmaviolette

To clarify - student loan is not supposed to be enough to live on. You will either be eligible for maintenance grant or not - if you are, your parents are NOT expected to contribute; if you're not eligible, your parents ARE expected to contribute. The amount of money your parents are expected to give will be stated with the results of your application for a student loan.

Student loan + parental support is still not expected to cover all of your costs. If you are able to work (not sick or disabled), you are expected to contribute £1500 of earned income every year. If you have difficulties in any financial area, or any unusual costs, your university may be able to help you with access to learning fund (there's another thread about it on here).

kr15snw

Hey welcome to the world of studenthood

First thing I can say is try and work full time hours over the summer and save as much as you can. You can normally get a few thousand during this time. Then get a part time job (10-16 hours) while you are at uni. You may find it hard at times but trust me its worth it.

If your parents earn under 17k a year then youll get £2700 grant that you dont have to pay back as well as £2300 loan (well this is the figures down here). This is generally enough to survive on (2700 + 2300 + 2500 (job) = 7500). If you dont get the loan then your parents are expected to help with the missing amount of money, you will get a higher loan though.

Dont worry, someone on my course doesnt get the loan as her parents own over 17 k a year, unfortunately she doesnt get on with her parents and they dont give her a penny. Hence why she doesnt go home over the holidays. But she has a job and she is surviving off the loan and her wages. It can be done, you just have to cut back alot.

Oh and youll soon realise you cant go out everynight and drink (dont know if you thought that), which is what so many people think we do!! I wish I could afford to go out with my friends, but the money simply isnt there!!

kelloggs36

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Are you eligible for the maintenance grant? If you are not eligible, because your parents' income is too high, it's not unrealistic to expect some financial help from your parents. Although excessive part time job hours are not a good thing, a Saturday job or a couple of nights' working in a bar will do you little harm. If you put these two things together with savings you can amass over the summer holiday, you should be able to manage quite well, particularly as the accommodation you mention includes most meals.

I would disagree as a parent! The cut off point is so low and doesn't take into account ANY outgoings, so whilst gross income may look good, reality isn't considered. We have a mortgage and two other children PLUS I am already at university, but we will still be expected to support my daughter, which is totally impossible. Hopefully she will get the full loan and partial grant to cover her rent, otherwise, she will have no choice but to get a job.

Oldernotwiser

I think, perhaps, that we're talking about different sorts of amount here. Most people of this age wouldn't be paying enough to cover outgoings if they were living at home, working and paying for their keep. It was this level of subsidy that I was referring to, rather than thousands a year. Perhaps something in the region of £30/40 per week. Obviously depending upon circumstances.