Funding – What is available and who is it for?

Some readers will be aware that grants, loans, bursaries and other funding maybe available to assist you with financing your education. Often the rules and application processes are complex and confusing and in many cases not generic.  The following is a brief outline of some of the things that ‘may be’ available to residents of the European Community to help finance education.  It is true to say that in the main it is a combination of the course, the course location and the student that attracts the funding but in the first instance you should obtain advice directly from Educatours .Image (CES)

University and Higher Education

Going into higher education could be one of the most valuable things you ever do, setting you up for a greater choice of jobs, and a good chance of better pay.

There will be costs while you’re there. But to help you cover them, there’s lots of financial support on offer.

EU nationals

As an EU national, or a family member of an EU national, you can generally apply for financial help to cover the cost of tuition fees when studying in England, Wales or Northern Ireland if:

·                  you have been living within the EEA and Switzerland for the three years immediately before the start of your course

·                  your main reason for being in the EEA and Switzerland was not to receive full-time education

If you or your parent, guardian or partner were temporarily employed outside the EEA and Switzerland for all or part of the three-year period, you may still qualify for help.

Student Loans and non-repayable grants from the government can cover your tuition fees and help towards living expenses for full-time students. And a non-repayable bursary from your university or college could put more money in your pocket. Bursarys differ from University to University, so it is wise to check with us first.
Grants. A third of all new students are expected to receive the full amount of Maintenance Grant (£2,835), while the further third will receive a partial grant, depending on household income.
Bursaries On top of your Student Loans or non-repayable Maintenance Grant, your university or college will also offer non-repayable bursaries to a wide range of students.

Exactly what’s on offer is up to your  university or college. Students paying the maximum tuition fee and receiving the full non-repayable maintenance grant are guaranteed to get at least £310 next year.

In practice, you could get much more than this - in 2006/2007 a typical bursary was around £1,000. And this was available to a wide range of students.

You only start repaying your Student Loans when you’ve left university and are earning over £15,000 - and you don’t have to repay Maintenance Grants and bursaries at all.

International students from outside of the EU and EEA are, in the main. not eligible for UK student loans and grants. You will pay a higher fee than home students too, though this does not mean there is not any financial help. Many universties offer some scholarship awards to international students and in some extreme cases, International students may qualify for the same assistance as Home, EU and EEA students do. It is best to ask advice first.

(Information provided by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills and is suject to Crown Copyright Protection)