Degrees, Foundation Degrees or HND programmes
You can apply for a student loan before you have a confirmed college or university place. To get your student finance in place for the start of term, you will need to apply by the spring 2013 deadline.
Full Time Students
For full time students the main sources of student funding for degrees, foundation degrees and HND programmes are:
- Tuition Fee Loan
- HE Maintenance Loan
- HE Maintenance Grant
Most students will be able to take out a tuition fee loan for the full cost of their course; these loans are repayable after you leave your course and you start earning at least £21,000.
The Government offers maintenance loans (for living expenses) to all students irrespective of income and these loans are repayable after you leave your course and you start earning at least £21,000 per annum.
Eligibility for maintenance grants (for living expenses) is based on household income and you don’t have to pay these grants back.
Part Time Students
Most part time students will be able to apply for a student loan to pay for their course fees, subject to the course being at least 25% equivalent of a full time course. This means that you will need to complete your course in no more than four times the amount of time it would take you to complete if you were studying full time.
The maximum annual tuition fee loan that is available to part time students is £6,750 and is repayable when you leave your course and start earning at least £21,000 per annum.
Previous Study
You won’t normally be eligible for a tuition fee loan if you already hold a qualification equal to or higher than the one you intend to study for.
Visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance for more information to help you apply now »
Tuition Fees
In 2013/14 tuition fees for degree courses have been capped at £9,000 per year and most universities will be charging that amount. Wirral Metropolitan College has a variable fee structure and in 2013/14 no tuition fee for a new student starting a degree or foundation degree course will exceed £5,975. Non-degree higher level courses also vary in fees. Specific course information can be found on the course links. All students, regardless of age or financial status are eligible for a student loan to pay their fees if they are studying on a qualifying course.
Student Loans
Student loans and Grants for maintenance are available to most students undertaking a full-time degree, foundation degree or HND programme.
Student loans will be available for all part-time degree, foundation degree, HNC and HND programmes.
Click here for information relating to all Loans and grants at Direct Gov
Student Loans are repayable on completion of the course. Repayments are collected by HMRC direct from salary. Students start repaying the Student Loan when annual income exceeds £21,000.
HE Access to Learning Fund
The HE Access to Learning is available to assist full-time and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties. Priority will be given to students with dependants, mature students and final year students. The funds are not repayable and can only provide limited assistance. Students who are eligible to take out a student loan must do so before applying to the HE Access to Learning Fund. Applications to the HE Access to Learning Fund are made through the college and application forms can be obtained from any Learner Services Centre.
Disabled Students Allowance
If you’re a student with a disability, mental-health condition, long-term health condition or learning difficulty, you can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs).
A series of short information films on the DSA process are now available.The films feature advice from Student Finance England’s dedicated DSA team and first-hand accounts from students with a variety of needs: Click here to view web site and watch the films »