Fees?
The fees for programmes differ, depending upon the type of qualification and the awarding university. In England the fees for degrees is set at £3290 per year, however at The College of North West London, we have reduced these in many cases.

How will this affect me?
GOOD NEWS: You will not be expected to pay your fees up front (as students do currently). You can delay the payment until after you have left your course. All students not wishing to pay up front will be able to apply for a fee loan each year from a Student Loan Company. This will be paid directly to the College in two instalments.

Is the fee loan means-tested?
No.

Are there any age restrictions?
No.

What about living costs?
Students may be able to apply for a non-repayable means-tested Maintenance Grant of up to £2906. You must start early (in April) in your application to the Student Loan Company if you are to have access to the funds at the beginning of the academic year in September.

What are the income thresholds to receive this grant?
The income threshold to receive the full Maintenance Grant is a household income of up to £25,000. Where the household income exceeds this amount the grant will be reduced through a taper system; a proportional payment will be made to students with a household income up to £60,005.

Is it paid in one lump sum?
No, it is paid in three instalments at the beginning of each term directly into your bank account.

Is it available to all students?
No, students who are eligible for means tested benefits, eg: single parents do not receive this grant.

If I am a single parent currently claiming income support, what can I get instead of the Maintenance Grant?
Students who are eligible to claim benefits can apply for the Special Support Grant. This is a grant of up to £2906 with exactly the same income thresholds as the Maintenance Grant however; this grant will not be counted as income if you claim benefits.

What about the Maintenance Loan?
The age limit for applying for the loan increases to 60, also repayments are written off after 25 years.

Will students who receive the Maintenance Grant be able to get a maintenance loan?
Yes, but they will have their loan reduced dependant on the level of Maintenance Grant awarded.

What about students receiving the Special Support Grant?
Yes, they can also apply for a Maintenance Loan. However, they will not have any money deducted from their loan.

Maintenance Loan Rates 2009/10

Can I claim money for my dependants?
Yes, additional allowances include the following:

• Adult Dependant Allowance
• Childcare Grant
• Parent Learning Allowance
• Disabled Student Allowance

How do I apply for this support?
You can contact your Local Authority (LA) and request form PN1, or download it from:
Student Finance Direct
When you have filled out the form you send it to your LA with your:

• National Insurance Number
• Birth Certificate/Passport
• Household income details
• Student bank account details

So how do I pay back my Fee and Maintenance Loan?
You will not be expected to repay the loans until you have finished your course. As soon as you are earning the £15,000 per year threshold or above, you will have deductions made from your salary through the tax system. GOOD NEWS: The amounts will be quite small and manageable. More information available on: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport