Student Finance Tips (Own Experience)..

Gemmzie

Helix wrote: »

I think there is only something like 5 unis which don't charge the maximum for normal degrees. I remember reading something about it when I was looking at unis last year (so it might have changed this year).

Mine is £2760 - not a lot less but still nice to have it

Don't know what the fees for next year will be yet

MoneySavingStudent_2

our student adviser person said the fees go up by about £75ish each year.
ours went from £3070 (07/08) to £3145 (08/09) so this years is £75 more.. great! lol

mike.blitz

you can normally get LOADS more than you think in help! especially in grants!

This year, maintenance grants are available for those with household incomes UP TO £60,000! so even if you're from a fairly well off family, it's well worth applying down the income assessed line!

someone once told me never to say no to free money!

mike

bestpud

I don't know if this applies to the new system but I can't see why it wouldn't.

The figures they give as indicators of available support are before they make allowance for household circumstances.

Someone who is close to the limit they give, or just over it, may decide not to apply for the income assessed loan/grants. But they knock so much off the eligible income for other dependent children and also for some expenses, such as pensions, rent/mortagage payments, some insurances, council tax etc.

Basically, it is worth applying anyway if your family have high outgoings imo.

Like I said, this was the case for the old system - pre 2006 - but probably hasn't changed.

Helix

I don't think they take things like rent/mortgages, council tax into account anymore as I don't remember answering any questions like this. They take into account other dependents but its only something like £1100 that they take off for each one.

bestpud

Helix wrote: »

I don't think they take things like rent/mortgages, council tax into account anymore as I don't remember answering any questions like this. They take into account other dependents but its only something like £1100 that they take off for each one.

Oh right, thanks. It is definitely on the old forms - the grant ones at least, but not the loan forms I don't think.

I was being very optimistic about our student friendly govt there wasn't I? :rolleyes:

I would still advise applying if you are near the borderline though, just in case.

shelley_crow

don't forget to tick the box on the back of the PN1 form which allows the uni/la to share your information. They check your eligibility for other grants you may not know about. I did this and received a start right bursary i didn't know existed. Well worth it x