NHS Bursary and Student Loans

NatStudent

Hi; I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me! I'm currently going into my 3rd year of adult nursing and have been having issues with my maintenance loan. I normally receive the maximum amount of funding but for my 3rd year they said I am only entitled to £1'916 as my "course code attracts the NHS bursary". They told me if I provided evidence from my university or the NHS that I am not in receipt of the bursary then they would re-asses. I asked for clarification on this point as I told them "the NHS bursary is not even available yet nor do I have any way of physically applying for it as I am an Adult Nursing students" but was still met with "we need evidence".

I was shocked and distressed as you can imagine, I had spoke to student finance England on the phone and told them that from the FAQ page for the NHS, that this bursary is "additional funding" and that I could "apply for tuitions fees and maintenance loans from your student loan company". They simple swerved there way around my point and yet again told me because my course "attracts the NHS bursary, your maintenance loan is reduced". Which again enraged me, it is not stated anywhere that this new bursary is a 'substitute' for current funding; so my current outlook, I am now worse off than before. I study in Scotland and currently the NHS bursary is "available in England and it is up to other associations to decide to provide the bursary or not" so there is a chance I may not even be eligible for the bursary due to where I study. My single parent is a home carer for a family member and so her income is low, meaning she would not be able to assist me with rent, food, bills etc. Even if I did receive this bursary and the low maintenance low, I would be worse off than previous years where I received the maximum maintenance loan due to my parents income. 

I feel utterly let down by the government and have had to consider leaving my course entirely (when there is only one year left) because I simply would not be able to support myself. Even with a full time job it would have a big affect on my physical and mental health as nursing students already have to complete full time placements for long periods of time. Hope anyone can advise me on this current matter or relate to it if you are in the same position too! Thanks x 

farenkaren

Hi Nat
You have all my sympathy and I am having similar problems.  I qualify for a bursary but I am in the silly position of trying to make sure I dont get it as it will make me worse off financially.  Could you contact NHS Bursaries England and apply for the bursary knowing you will be rejected??  Hopefully there is a way around this.