STUDENT FINANCE
2017
Loans Repaying loans Scholarships Funding at a glance Frequently asked questions Useful contacts
1
Contents 4 8 10 16 20 25
Disclaimer: Students domiciled outside of England should check with their funders for specific details on fees and living costs support. Contact details can be found on page 25.
The accuracy of the guidance in this booklet is based on the latest information available at the time of writing. However, such information is subject to change, sometimes at short notice.
Whilst care has been taken to ensure that all information is correct, the University does not accept responsibility for errors, omissions or inaccuracies relating to external funding which it does not control. No guarantee is given that funding from external sources will be provided to any individual student. Printed: September 2016
Money while you study Students and their supporters need to know about the financial side of studying, and Edge Hill University aims to give you the clearest information possible.
This booklet summarises key information and tells you who you can contact to find out more.
There are differences in financial arrangements for some courses and according to individual circumstances, but for the majority of students starting undergraduate degrees in 2017:
-
You don’t have to pay fees up front
-
Edge Hill will give £1,000 to eligible high performing students who achieve 144 UCAS points in their final exams
-
You could receive a loan for living costs of up to £8,430 each year
Tell us about your achievements outside the classroom and you could receive an Excellence Scholarship worth up to £2,000
You could develop your sporting performance by applying for a Sports Scholarship worth up to £1,000 per academic year.
Details of these schemes, special support for disabled students, care leavers and more is given on the following pages.
As with anything relating to money, ‘terms and conditions apply’ – these are also explained on the following pages, and our advisers can clarify anything that is unclear. You can find more information and any updates regarding student funding on our website: edgehill.ac.uk/moneymatters
3
Student Finance – Loans
Student Finance - Loans Funding arrangements for UK and EU undergraduate students for 2017/18. Tuition Fee
Our standard full-time undergraduate tuition fee is £9,250 per annum, subject to Government approval. Eligible students (UK/EU) will be able to borrow the full cost of their tuition fee from the Government in the form of a loan. -
-
You do not have to pay for your course upfront You can get a loan to cover the cost of your tuition which you start to repay once you have left university and are earning over £21,000 per year Any monies still owed after 30 years will be written off
Living Costs
Maintenance Loan Students who live away from their parental home and study at a university outside London may be able to borrow up to £8,430 per annum to help with living costs. Students who remain in the parental home whilst studying can expect to borrow up to £7,097. All students from England studying for their first undergraduate degree, regardless of household income, could receive the basic maintenance loan of up to £3,124 per annum. The difference between the basic loan and the maximum loan is means-tested, based on household income. Maintenance loans are paid directly to the student in three instalments.
Some students may be entitled to additional grants and other forms of financial support (eg. Disabled Students Allowance). Further information is available at gov.uk/studentfinance
5
Summary of support for living costs Studying Away from Parental Home (outside London) Household income
Maximum Maintenance Loan available
Studying Whilst Living at Parental Home (outside London) Household income
Maximum Maintenance Loan available
£25,000
£8,430
£25,000
£7,097
£35,000
£7,220
£35,000
£5,901
£30,000 £40,000 £42,875 £45,000 £50,000 £55,000 £60,000 £62,187 £65,000
£7,825 £6,615 £6,266 £6,009 £5,404 £4,799 £4,193 £3,928 £3,928
£30,000 £40,000 £42,875 £45,000 £50,000 £55,000 £58,215 £60,000 £65,000
£6,499 £5,303 £4,959 £4,705 £4,107 £3,509 £3,124 £3,124 £3,124
Please note all figures have been rounded down to the nearest £1 in line with the amounts published by the Government.
i
gov.uk/studentfinance
i
edgehill.ac.uk/moneymatters
i
edgehill.ac.uk/fees
How to apply for funding Funding and application processes vary depending on whether you normally reside in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the EU. To make an application please visit:
Student Finance England 0300 100 0607 www.gov.uk/student-finance Student Finance Wales 0300 200 4050 www.studentfinancewales.co.uk Student Finance Northern Ireland 0300 100 0077 www.studentfinanceni.co.uk Student Awards Agency for Scotland 0300 555 0505 www.saas.gov.uk Student Finance EU 0141 243 3570 www.gov.uk/student-finance
Top Tips for Completing Your Student Finance Application -
-
-
No need to wait for an offer from a university – apply for funding as early as possible. You will be able to apply online from the end of February onwards. Complete your application using your preferred university and course. You can always change these at a later date.
Ensure that your application form relates to the correct academic year - It is also important that you choose the correct mode of study: full or part time.
Select the correct course and level – have your UCAS course code to hand. If you are studying a PCGE or Nursing course there are several start dates, be sure to select carefully.
Respond to any request for supporting documentation quickly – if possible please send your documents to Student Finance by recorded delivery and track the delivery.
Don't forget to send off your signed declaration – once your application is approved you will receive an entitlement letter (confirming your maintenance loan), together with a declaration form. You can also print a copy of the declaration via your online account once you have submitted your application. We recommend that you send your declaration form by recorded delivery.
Enrol on the scheduled day or as soon as possible afterwards – your payment will only be made on the first day of term or 3-5 days after you have registered, whichever is the later.
Delays in making your application, accidently applying in the wrong academic year, selecting the wrong course and/or not returning your declaration will mean you won’t receive your funding when you start.
7
Repaying Loans
Repaying Loans How loan repayments work
Tuition fee loans and maintenance loans will be added together as one amount of money which you will be required to repay to the Student Loans Company.
Students will only be required to start repaying student loans from the April after they have graduated (or left university) and are earning over £21,000 per annum. If your earnings fall below £21,000 in the future, your repayments will stop until your earnings exceed the repayment threshold. The more you earn over £21,000 per annum, the more you will repay.
Repayments are calculated at 9% of earnings over £21,000. Loan repayments will be deducted from your salary at source (usually through PAYE). Typical monthly repayments will be: Salary
Amount of salary from which 9% will be deducted
Monthly repayment
£25,000
£4,000
£30.00
£35,000
£14,000
£105.00
£30,000 £40,000 £45,000 £50,000 £55,000
£60,000
£9,000
£19,000 £24,000 £29,000 £34,000
£39,000
Rates of interest
£67.50
£142.50 £180.00 £217.50 £255.00
£292.50
A nominal rate of interest is charged on student loans. For students who begin their studies in 2017, the Government has set out the following interest rates: -
-
Interest on your loan will be applied at inflation (Retail Price Index – RPI) plus 3% while you are studying, and up to the April after you leave university From the April after you leave university, if you are earning £21,000 per annum or less, interest will be applied at the rate of inflation For graduates earning between £21,000-£41,000 per annum, interest will be applied between RPI and RPI +3% on a gradual increasing scale depending on income For graduates earning above £41,000, interest will be applied at RPI + 3%
No early repayment charges will be made.
9
Previous Higher Education Study (excluding PGCE)
The number of years you are able to receive student funding is limited. Previous study includes time spent on a full-time higher education course or any specifically designated public funded higher education course, whether or not it is in the UK. Even if you attended for just one day of an academic year this is counted as a whole year in terms of your funding entitlement.
If you have previous study, regardless of how far back this dates, it could mean that you may not qualify for a full tuition fee loan, and will be required to self-fund all or part of your course.
If you have achieved a lower level qualification i.e. HNC, HND, Cert HE, DipHe, or Foundation Degree, full fee and maintenance support should still be available to top-up your qualification. However, time spent on preliminary courses will be taken into account in assessing your financial entitlement.
Please note that the regulations are complicated and you should seek advice about previous study as soon as your place is confirmed. Detailed information on previous study is available at edgehill.ac.uk/previousstudy and you can also contact the Fees, Scholarships and Bursaries Team on TuitionFees@edgehill.ac.uk for further information.
Scholarships
High Achievers Scholarship
Worth £1,000 paid over the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree, the High Achievers Scholarship rewards high performing school leavers who achieve 144 UCAS points from a maximum of three final A2 (or equivalent) grades in one sitting in the last three years. For entry in 2017 this will be grades awarded from 1st September 2014. A combination of suitable ALevel/BTEC grades is permissible.
Eligibility Applicants must have submitted their UCAS application to a full-time undergraduate degree or full-time foundation degree at Edge Hill University. The High Achievers Scholarship is open to Edge Hill University applicants domiciled in the UK, EU, Isle of Man or Channel Islands.
How do I apply? Students will be assessed automatically during their application to Edge Hill University.
Excellence Scholarship
If you've applied to Edge Hill University for full-time study on a foundation programme, undergraduate degree or PGCE, you could make a substantial difference to your student life and finances by applying for an Excellence Scholarship worth up to £2,000 which will be paid over the duration of your course. If you can demonstrate determination, commitment and achievement to any area outside of your work or study, we want to hear from you.
Eligibility Excellence Scholarships are available to prospective foundation, undergraduate or PGCE fulltime students who have firmly accepted an offer of a place. Eligibility for this scholarships does not depend on your financial situation, academic attainment or degree subject. How do I apply? Application forms for the Excellence Scholarships will be available at: edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships in 2017.
Sports Scholarships
If you've applied to Edge Hill University for full-time study on a foundation programme, undergraduate degree or PGCE, you could make a substantial difference to your student life and finances by applying for a Sports Scholarship worth up to £1,000 per academic year.
If you are talented at sport, participate at a competitive level or coach and can demonstrate the ability and ambition to improve in your sport during your time at Edge Hill University, then we want to hear from you.
How do I apply? Application forms for the Sports Scholarships will be available at edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships in 2017.
11
Scholarships
On-Course and Nomination Scholarships
Edge Hill University offers a variety of scholarships for students who are already enrolled on selected courses.
Excellence Scholarships are worth up to £2,000. They reward determination, commitment and achievement in a variety of areas. These awards are application based.
Nomination Scholarships are worth £2,000. They recognise contribution to the University and are by nomination only.
Academic Achievement Awards of £500 are paid to the best performing first and second year students whilst on their course.
Other Scholarships and Support
Care Leavers Bursaries Up to £1,000 per annum for care leavers on any full-time or part-time undergraduate programme.
Preparation for HE Scholarships Open to students undertaking one of the University’s Access programmes (Fastrack) who subsequently enrol on a full-time undergraduate degree course. Scholarships are awarded by nomination for commitment in the face of adversity, and are worth £1,000.
Helena Kennedy Scholarships Open to applicants for any full-time undergraduate programme by personal application to the Helena Kennedy Foundation; four awarded annually on the basis of hardship/disadvantage. Please refer to www.hkf.org.uk.
Contact
T: 01695 657245 E: scholarships@edgehill.ac.uk
i
edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships
13
Meet some of our Scholars from 2015/16
Adele McGrath
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child)
Excellence Scholarship 2015/16
Adele is one of the founder members of a small charity that aims to bring teenagers and elderly people together for fun, friendship and support, and her commitment to making a difference in her community has been rewarded with an Excellence Scholarship. The Growing Old Together Project, is an intergenerational initiative designed to build bridges between the young and the old and boost the health and wellbeing of both in the process. As well as winning a Diana Award, set up as part of Princess Diana’s legacy, and awards from the Centre for Social Justice and South Liverpool Housing, the Growing Old Together project has also featured on BBC1’s The One Show.
15
James Rooney
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Sports Scholarship (Gold) 2015/16
James picked up his first golf club aged two. At nine, he scored his first hole-in-one, and he had achieved a handicap of five or less while still at school. He now represents the Lancashire Men’s 1st team, travelling extensively to compete across the UK and internationally, and his dedication to golf has been recognised with a Scholarship. James has been crowned Lancashire Boys Golf Champion and has competed in the British Boys Championships before progressing through the U14s and U18s to the Men’s team. He was also accepted for an Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE), England Golf’s development programme, which allows aspiring young sportspeople to train at the highest level while gaining qualifications that prepare them for life outside sport.
Summary of financial support available by course: Tuition Fee Loan
Maintenance Loan (total amount based on household income)
Undergraduate Courses
full-time students only
PGCE Courses
full-time students only
Course
Supplementary Grants (Parents’ Learning Allowance, Childcare Grant, Dependents’ Allowance)
High Achievers Scholarship
Excellence Scholarship and Sport Scholarship
full-time students only
full-time students only
full-time students only
full-time students only
full-time students only
subject to criteria set by NCTL*
NCTL Bursary
*Teaching Agency Bursaries (for PGCE students)
Students who satisfy the criteria set by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) will be eligible for a monthly bursary for the set duration of their studies. If you are eligible for a bursary you will receive information during your enrolment session. Please refer to www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching for further information.
17
Student Funding and Support
Support for Students Starting in 2017 Assessed Against Income?
Available for part-time students?
High Achievers £1,000 Scholarship
Excellence Scholarship
Up to £2,000
Care Leavers Bursary
£1,000 for full-time students. £500 for part-time students (each year)
Funding
How much?
Tuition Fee Loan
Up to £9,250 per year
Maintenance Loan
Up to £8,430 (£7,097 for those living at home)
Helena Kennedy Scholarship
Refer to www.hkf.org.uk
Is there a How will the cap on the money be number paid? available?
Directly (subject to to the university previous study) (subject to previous study)
Will the money have to be paid back?
In three instalments to your bank account
In two instalments across your first year
In instalments throughout your programme
One instalment
Paid directly from the Helena Kennedy Foundation
19 Funding
How much?
Preparation for HE Scholarship
£1,000
Sports Scholarship
Up to £1,000 per year
Assessed Against Income?
Available for part-time students?
Is there a How will the cap on the money be number paid? available?
Will the money have to be paid back?
In two instalments across first year Up to two instalments per year
Some students may also be eligible for additional forms of support including Disabled Students’ Allowance, Parents’ Learning Allowance, Adult Dependents’ Grant or Childcare Grants. Please check gov.uk/studentfinance for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paying Fees
Do I have to pay my tuition fees up front? No, as long as you have not been to university before and meet the residency conditions you should be entitled to take a loan out (via Student Finance) to cover the cost of your fees.
Will the amount of the loan I receive for fees depend on how much my family earn? No, the tuition fee loan is not assessed against household income. This means that regardless of what your parents or partner earn you should still be eligible for the tuition fee loan (subject to the conditions above).
What if I have been to university before and already hold a degree? If you already have a degree you may not be able to apply for loans for a second degree, although there are certain courses which are exempt from this legislation. Please get in touch with Academic Registry who will be able to offer further advice and guidance. You can find their contact details on page 25.
I have been to university before but didn’t finish my course. Will I still be eligible for all my funding? Your previous study may have an impact on funding for a new course, speak to the Fees, Scholarships and Bursaries Team or Academic Registry. You can find their contact details on page 25.
I am thinking of applying for a nursing course, will I have to pay fees? Yes, you will have to pay fees, however you should be entitled to take out a loan (via Student Finance) to cover the cost of your fees.
I am a part-time student; will I have to pay my fees up front? No. Part-time students will be eligible for tuition fee loans as long as they are studying at least 25% of an eligible full-time course.
I don’t live in England how will I fund university? Students from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Islands will be able to apply for support for tuition fees and living costs through their devolved governments. Students who are ordinarily resident in the EU, and have been for three years prior to the start of the course, will be entitled to apply for tuition fee loans on the same basis as English students. EU students generally can’t apply for loans for living costs. Can I take out a tuition fee loan for each year of my course? Yes, most full and part-time students will be able to apply for loans for each year of their course (subject to previous study and residency conditions).
21
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the tuition fee loan I can apply for be enough to cover the full fee? Yes, the tuition fee loan will cover your full tuition fee and will be paid direct to Edge Hill.
Can I self-fund my studies? You may pay your tuition fees securely up front at enrolment via payments.edgehill.ac.uk/fees. Alternatively, you may, with agreement from Academic Registry, pay your tuition fees in three equal instalments. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed at enrolment.
Living Costs and Maintenance Loans
Will I be entitled to apply for help with my living costs while I am on the course? Yes, most full-time undergraduates can also apply for a maintenance loan to cover their living costs. You can take out a maintenance loan for each year of your course (subject to eligibility). Some students may be entitled to additional support. See gov.uk/studentfinance for more information.
How much maintenance loan will I be entitled to? The amount of maintenance loan you can apply for will depend on your household income and where you are going to live whilst studying. Students living in the parental home can apply for up to £7,097 and students living away from the parental home can apply for up to £8,430.
My household income is high, does this mean I won’t qualify for a maintenance loan? No, all students should receive a non-income assessed portion of the loan regardless of household income (subject to residency and previous study criteria).
What can I use this money for? The maintenance loan is designed to meet your living costs including food, accommodation and travel. The money is paid to you in three instalments over the academic year.
When can I apply for this support? If you are starting a course in September 2017 it is expected you should be able to apply for your funding in early 2017. To apply go to gov.uk/studentfinance.
23
Repaying Loans
When will these loans have to be repaid? You won’t have to start repaying your loans until the April after you leave university and are earning at least £21,000 per year. Part-time students will be required to start making repayments four years after starting the course if they are earning over £21,000 per year. For all students the repayments are calculated at 9% of your earnings above £21,000. What if I don’t earn over £21,000 when I finish university? If you earn less than £21,000 when you finish studying and start work you won’t start making repayments until your income goes above the threshold. Similarly, if your salary ever drops below £21,000 for any reason your repayments will stop.
Will I be repaying the loan until all the debt is cleared? Not necessarily, as mentioned earlier if your salary drops below £21,000 the repayments will stop. If you haven’t repaid all of the loan within 30 years, anything you still owe is written off.
Non-repayable Funding
Will I be entitled to any grants? Students can also apply for a Childcare Grant, Adult Dependants’ Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance. All of these grants will be assessed against household income and are applied for through the relevant student funding body. Edge Hill also has a wide variety of scholarships available to eligible students, a full list of all the funding available can be seen in the table on pages 18 and 19.
Part-time Students
I am a part-time student will I be eligible for loans and grants? Part-time students are not entitled to maintenance loans however they can apply for tuition fee loans.
Scholarships
When will I find out that I will be receiving the High Achievers Scholarship? Once you have enrolled on your programme, all eligible students will be notified in writing in late 2017. The £1,000 will be paid in two instalments in February 2018 and June 2018.
When do I need to submit my Excellence Scholarship Application? Our Excellence Scholarships open for application in 2017 on our website: edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.
Useful Contacts
Edge Hill Money Advice Team edgehill.ac.uk/moneymatters E: moneyadvice@edgehill.ac.uk T: 01695 657250
Edge Hill Tuition Fees (Academic Registry) E: tuitionfees@edgehill.ac.uk T: 01695 657359 Edge Hill Scholarships E: scholarships@edgehill.ac.uk T: 01695 657245 Student Finance England www.gov.uk/student-finance T: 0300 100 0607
Student Finance Wales www.studentfinancewales.co.uk T: 0300 200 4050
Student Finance Northern Ireland www.studentfinanceni.co.uk T: 0300 100 0077
Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) www.saas.gov.uk T: 0300 555 0505 Information regarding NHS bursaries www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students T: 0300 300 1345
Students’ Union Advice Centre E: suadvice@edgehill.ac.uk T: 01695 657301
25
Useful Contacts
Liverpool
Manchester
Birmingham
London
Edge Hill University St Helens Road Ormskirk Lancashire L39 4QP United Kingdom
w f
t i
edgehill.ac.uk facebook.com/edgehilluniversity twitter.com/edgehill instagram.com/edgehilluniversity