Student Finance – Loans and Grants
If you are planning to start a higher education course then you will need to consider how to finance not just the course itself but also how you will cover your living costs while you are at College or University. In many circumstances you will be eligible for financial help, here’s a brief summary of what’s available.
Eligibility
Your eligibility and the type and level of support of available will depend upon whether you are studying full or part-time, the qualification being studied for and the educational institution responsible for delivering the course.
Full Time Students
The principal methods of financial support available are student loans and bursaries. If you are eligible, a student loan will cover the cost of your course and help towards your day-to-day living expenses.
A student loan is just that, a loan which, although offered on preferential terms, has to be repaid eventually once you are earning sufficient amount to make repayments.
If you have been in receipt of EMA (Educational Maintenance Assistance) previously then there is a special scheme available which provides help for those going on to University.
Bursaries are offered by individual Colleges and Universities in certain circumstances. These are separate funding arrangements and do not have to be paid back.
Part Time Students
Although part time students do not normally qualify for a student loan there is some assistance available, in certain circumstances, in the form of a Fee Grant or Course Grant.
This type of assistance is usually dependent upon your household income and is awarded on a case by case basis.
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