Student finance confusion

sacha28

I have a little bit of a complicated situation and I'm trying to make sense of it and second guess the outcome, which is doing me no good at all!

I am a second year nursing student however, due to previous qualifications and experience, this is my first year of university study. I am lucky enough to have been sponsered for a small amount, approximately £7000pa less than my 'normal' wage, but the trust have refused to cover tuition fees. I used the calculator and applied, based on what was showed, for both tuition fees and a maintenance loan. My partner is not a high earner but his last P60 showed gross pay of £19000 for 15/16 tax year however this year, due to being placed on a zero hours contract, his earnings will be approx £3000 less than that.

I am still awaiting the outcome from student finance, I literally have no idea what they have 'granted' and the uni have twice requested my SDU number so they can get their tuition fees but, as I understand it, you don't get given this until your application has been approved?

I understand the loan is means tested and have input our full household income but I'm now starting to worry that they will come back and say I can only have the minimum.......is there anyone who could shed some light on what will probably happen here? I have spoken several times to student finance however they can't tell me what I have been approved for. I really need to start making financial plans but I'm finding it impossible!

*the university thing has happened really quick, the trust only approached me at the end of July so I have gone from that decision to starting in 6 weeks which is why prior financial planning didn't happen!

Starrystarrynight1

Have a look at the student finance calculator. The link below is for Student Finance England. Tuition fees aren't means tested, and I think your husband's income sounds low enough to qualify for the maximum maintenance loan.

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

Hope that helps a bit.