Any support available for undergraduate doing unpaid placement with nhs

wearethedogs

Does anyone know of any grants/bursaries/support available for an undergraduate on an unpaid placement year in the nhs?

Student was under the impression that they could reclaim the costs of travel to work but has been told since starting that they cannot. Student also believed they could claim 66p per mile for any driving they do in the job (such as community visits, travel to other hospitals which are not main place of work) as this is the rate paid to volunteers, however, has now been told that as they are "work experience" this does not count as a volunteer. They are therefore getting 33p per mile.

Please post if you have any advice as they are enjoying the work but will struggle to last the full year when student loan runs out.

nimbo

they might be able to claim back tax relief on an extra 12p per mile - (possibly, if they work somewhere else, although the rules seem confusing to me)...

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-mileage.htm

look at the turn to use website they may have grants that the student could claim...

sarahlouisexo

Honestly the impression I get about unpaid placement years is that its a requirement, you should have saved some money from the previous year, which is crap I know!

Is a part time job an option at all?
Alternatively have a look at any access to learning funds on offer, or, I'm sorry to say, student credit cards for when things get really bad? Mine is a Natwest one, even when it was maxed out at £500, it only cost me £16 p/m minimum repayment.

lh1994

Hi, Is the placement part of a NHS funded programme e.g Nursing, Physio, OT etc.

If it is then you can claim back the cost of the placement through NHS Student Bursaries. ( I can post a link if needed) You can only claim travel money if it cost more to get to the placement than it would to get to university.

I am not 100% sure about the mileage whilst on placement as I have never had to claim for this.

System

nimbo wrote: »

they might be able to claim back tax relief on an extra 12p per mile - (possibly, if they work somewhere else, although the rules seem confusing to me)...

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-mileage.htm

look at the turn to use website they may have grants that the student could claim...

However you need to be earning enough to pay tax to reclaim it

timestar

Most UK universities will offer some kind of financial hardship fund for undergraduate students. The fund is usually discretionary and the student has to make a case as to why they deserve/need it. But, typically the amount of money on offer is not huge. The student should also approach the Student Union who will normally have someone who looks after specifically financial advice.