Uni fees for British student that has been overseas.

nosille

Hello All

This is my first post here and I hope someone can help. We are a British family that has just returned to the UK after living in the US for six years. Our eldest is 18 and is currently doing a foundation course in art at a local college before going to Uni next year. Because she is 18 she does not have to pay fees for this course. However, once she goes to Uni she obviously has to pay fees but because we have not been in the UK for the three years leading up to her going to Uni, she will be classed as an international student and will have to pay international fees. Whilst there isn't a huge difference in what a home student and an international student pays, the big difference is that she is not entitled to a student loan and has to pay everything up front. We have four kids, so are limited in what we can contribute. Does anyone know of any legal loophole that would enable her to be classed as a home student. And if not, is there any other way to secure a student loan for going to University. Thank you for any help that comes my way :T

Dunroamin

Her best bet would be to work for 3 years before going to university. By doing so she'll not only be a home student but won't need to be assessed on your income.

Voyager2002

Dunroamin wrote: »

Her best bet would be to work for 3 years before going to university. By doing so she'll not only be a home student but won't need to be assessed on your income.

Indeed.

The alternative might be for her to get a student loan in the USA.

Taiko

Might be a workaround.

Why were you living in the UK? What were your reasons for moving there?

Dunroamin

Taiko wrote: »

Might be a workaround.

Why were you living in the UK? What were your reasons for moving there?

I think you mean the US.:)

nosille

Thanks for the replies. I doubt we could get a loan from the US as we have sold up there and have no ties. We were living in the US because my husband was offered a job there. Working for two years before going to Uni is a good option but there may be a temptation not to go to Uni after being paid for two years. Thanks again for the replies.

Dunroamin

nosille wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I doubt we could get a loan from the US as we have sold up there and have no ties. We were living in the US because my husband was offered a job there. Working for two years before going to Uni is a good option but there may be a temptation not to go to Uni after being paid for two years. Thanks again for the replies.

If she has a reasonable job for 3 years, not going to university might be a perfectly legitimate choice to make.

Voyager2002

nosille wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I doubt we could get a loan from the US as we have sold up there and have no ties. We were living in the US because my husband was offered a job there. Working for two years before going to Uni is a good option but there may be a temptation not to go to Uni after being paid for two years. Thanks again for the replies.

Was he working for the British government; a British company; an International Organisation (such as the UN or one of its agencies); or just a foreign employer? That does make a difference.

Otherwise, note that for your daughter to become eligible for funding she would need to remain (working?) in the UK for three years, not just two. However, if she then went on to university she would probably be better motivated and so a more effective student than are most 18-year olds, and so might eventually do better than if she went immediately.

Taiko

nosille wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I doubt we could get a loan from the US as we have sold up there and have no ties. We were living in the US because my husband was offered a job there. Working for two years before going to Uni is a good option but there may be a temptation not to go to Uni after being paid for two years. Thanks again for the replies.

Tell me more about this job. Were the company the same as his previous UK employer?

Was the contract for a fixed term?

nosille

Thanks again everyone .My husband was transferred by his company in 2007 and we were on a temporary (H1B visa). However we transferred into a green card in 2011 following the expiration of the H1B and then we relocated back to the UK in August of this year again with the same company.


My daughter is doing a foundation course at a local college at the moment so by the time she starts Uni she will have been resident in the UK for one year.

nosille

My husband works for a private company headquartered in France but with offices around the world.