Wherever you live in the UK there are changes either underway, being considered, reviewed or consulted upon in student finance. Some may apply to all students but most only to new ie those starting their course in 2012/13. Take a moment to read through the information so you are forewarned where there are, or may be, changes. Check the student finance sites regularly for news as it is possible the information given below may change. The UCAS site gives a general overview of the situation in all of the UK countries.
England
- Universities in England will be able to charge fees of up to £9,000 per year for a course in 2012/13 to new students from all of the UK countries and the EU. Non-income assessed tuition fee loans will be available to cover the cost.
- For new English domiciled students an increased income-assessed maintenance grant will be available though the upper household income threshold at which it is available has been lowered from the £50,020 it is at present. The full amount of £3,250 will be available for a household income of £25,000 reducing to zero for a household income of over £42,600.
- There will be a National Scholarship Programme to help new students from low income families ie those with incomes below £25,000 per year. The Scholarship will be worth at least £3,000 and will be largely through tuition fee discounts and benefits in kind. It will be awarded as a one year benefit not necessarily an annual entitlement. Check with individual Universities about what they are offering.
- The Access to Learning Fund, Adult Dependent's Grant, Childcare Grant, Disabled Students' Allowances, and Parents' Learning Allowance will continue for new students as for students in previous years.
- The repayment threshold for tuition fee and maintenance student loans for new students starting their course in 2012/13 will be £21,000. Loans will accrue interest at the rate of inflation + 3% while you are a student until the April after you graduate. They will then increase at the rate of inflation if your income is below £21,000, at the rate of inflation + 3% on a graduated scale on incomes between £21,000 and £41,000 and at the rate of inflation +3% on incomes over £41,000. Loans will be written off after 30 years.
- For continuing students the annual tuition fee will increase to £3,465 and the maximum maintenance grant will increase to £2,984 in 2012/13.
- The repayment threshold for student loans for continuing students will remain at £15,000 until April 2012 when it will increase to £15,795.
- Following the NHS Bursary Scheme Review all eligible students who start their course from September 2012 will receive a new package of support. You can find more detail about the package on the related BMA site link.
Northern Ireland
- The tuition fee for students domiciled in Northern Ireland and studying in Northern Ireland will be £3,465 for new students in 2012/13.
- But, if you live in Northern Ireland, you will pay fees of up to£9,000 per year if you study in England or Wales or Scotland as a new student in 2012/13.
- Non-income assessed tuition fee loans will be available to cover the cost.
Wales
- Universities in Wales will be able to charge up to £6,000 and, on certain conditions, up to £9,000 per year for a course in 2012/13 to new students from all of the UK countries and the EU. Non-income assessed tuition fee loans will be available to cover the cost.
- But if you live in Wales, wherever you study, you may receive a "fee waiver grant" which means that you will pay no more than a current student does - £3,465 - which amount you can finance through a tuition fee loan.
- If you come from the EU and study in Wales you may also be eligible for the "fee waiver grant".
- It is also planned to increase the income threshold for the repayment of student loans for new students from £15,000 to £21,000.
Scotland
- Tuition fees will continue to be paid for Scottish students studying in Scotland by the Scottish Government as well as students from the EU. But Universities in Scotland will be allowed to charge fees of up to £9,000 per year for new students domiciled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and studying in Scotland.
- If you live in Scotland you will pay fees of up to £9,000 per year if you study in England or Wales or Northern Ireland as a new student in 2012/13.
- Non-income assessed tuition fee loans will be available to cover the cost.
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