funding an Art foundation course at St Martins

deb54

hi my daughter has got a place at the top art college in the country wherestella mc cartney went but its impossible for me to fund her, any suggestions? she cant hav a student loan coz its a foundation course not a degree till her 2nd year. IM DESPERATE!

Feanor

Hi,

I went through a similiar thing when i did my foundation course. Its rubbish that there are no loans etc available on this course, i dont know why its like that!

Im afraid i dont have good news, but eventually i had to settle and do mine in my home town as apposed to a good university that was away because i just couldn't get the money.

There are possibly hard ship funds, but these wont cover alot. Its worth looking at the finance section on their website or giving them a call.

I have to say though, your right in thinking this before hand because it can really cost ALOT. To live in central London (where i do now) as a student you will be looking at £80-£100 a week minimum for accomodation, thats without food/bills and not to mention all the equipment she will need for such a course.

I hope you can find a solution though. Yes, Saint Martins has an excellent reputation but there are other great places to study aswell.

Good luck x

Oldernotwiser

Unfortunately, foundation years are usually studied locally because of the financial situation. If she develops well during this year she could be accepted by St Martins to do her degree.

londonsaver

CSM do have bursaries, but not many and £1000 won't go far in London. Also noticed that the closing date for some of them has just gone.

http://www.arts.ac.uk/fe-bursaries.htm

If she is under 19 she might be eligible for EMA as it's still classed as FE. I'm doing a foundation (in London but not at CSM) as a mature student and the under-19s are getting it.

If she is under 19 (or 19-24 in some circs) she won't have to pay tuition fees:
http://www.arts.ac.uk/fe-fees.htm

But even if she gets all that help it will be very expensive to study in London. Most students at CSM work part-time - but the foundation course is very intense and I would say it would be better to do the foundation locally and apply to St Martins for a degree when she will be able to get a loan.