Are you heading to university in 2012? Find out all you need to know on financial support available for full-time students from the UK and European Union.
Major changes are being made to the way higher education is funded for those starting university from September 2012 and students who are studying for their first degree or other higher education course can benefit from a range of financial support.
More information is available below, or on the dedicated government website for future students, Make your future happen, or via the Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information website.
Funding available for students to cover the cost of tuition
It is important to remember that if you are a UK/EU student entering higher education in 2012 you don’t have to pay for the cost of your tuition up front. If you are a student studying in England the government will pay for your tuition costs. You don’t have to pay back these costs, until you are working and earning more than £21,000 a year. For further information please visit the Direct Gov website.
Funding available for students to cover living costs
Worried about living costs? The government will also provide an additional loan to support your other costs associated with going to university, such as accommodation, food, travel and course materials. You can find out more about applying for maintenance loans on the Direct Gov website.
Financial help you don’t pay back
For full-time students living in a household earning £42,600 or less, you may be eligible for a non-repayable grant. This is money you don’t have to pay back. Extra financial help is also available for students with disabilities and students with child or adult dependants. Please visit the Direct Gov website to see if you might be eligible. The website also has information about additional support such as bursaries, scholarships and other awards.
English students studying in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland
Since 2006, university tuition fees vary depending on the UK country in which you choose to study. An announcement regarding fees in Northern Ireland and Scotland in 2012 is expected later this year. More information will be available in due course at:
Information about tuition fees in Wales from 2012 is available on the Welsh Assembly Government website.
If you are an international student please visit the Direct Gov website to find out more about fees and funding or see the page for international students on our website.
If you cannot find the answer to your questions here or wish to give us feedback please use our online enquiry form