Student Finance Arrangements 2011/2012

Contents Full Time Higher EducationFull Time Higher Education - Eligibility Criteria - Eligibility Criteria - Financial Support Available - Financial Support Available - Exceptions - Exceptions Part Time Higher EducationPart Time Higher Education How to applyHow to apply What happens next?What happens next? RepaymentsRepayments Further Education AwardsFurther Education Awards

Eligibility Criteria There are three main conditions you must meet: Be personally eligible – have lived in the UK and Islands for at least 3 years before the start of your course and living in Northern Ireland on the first day of the academic year in which your course begins Be personally eligible – have lived in the UK and Islands for at least 3 years before the start of your course and living in Northern Ireland on the first day of the academic year in which your course begins Must attend an approved college – a University or College in the UK or ROI that is maintained out of public funds, CAFRE, certain private colleges specifically designated for student support Must attend an approved college – a University or College in the UK or ROI that is maintained out of public funds, CAFRE, certain private colleges specifically designated for student support Must attend an approved course to get support – degree, HNC, HND, Dip HE, Foundation degree Must attend an approved course to get support – degree, HNC, HND, Dip HE, Foundation degree

Eligibility criteria Gap year students If you delay your university start until 2012, you will be subject to the same support package as other students commencing in 2012 and not to the support due for the 2011/12 starters e.g. if Tuition fees are increased to £5000 you will be required to pay/take out a loan for £5000, rather than £3375 which applies to 2011/12 starters.

Financial support available Tuition fees All Students can take out a Student Loan for Fees for the amount charged by the institution (£3375 per year, Scotland £1,820 a year, apart from Medicine where fees will be £2,895 a year)All Students can take out a Student Loan for Fees for the amount charged by the institution (£3375 per year, Scotland £1,820 a year, apart from Medicine where fees will be £2,895 a year) Paid direct to the institution by SLCPaid direct to the institution by SLC No income assessment involvedNo income assessment involved Study first, pay back when you are earning more than £15,000 per yearStudy first, pay back when you are earning more than £15,000 per year Fees may vary between courses and between universitiesFees may vary between courses and between universities

Financial support available Maintenance Loans There is no change to the rates for the 2011/12 year Max £6,780 if living away from parents’ home and studying in LondonMax £6,780 if living away from parents’ home and studying in London Max £4,840 if living away from parents’ home and studying outside LondonMax £4,840 if living away from parents’ home and studying outside London Max £3,750 if living at homeMax £3,750 if living at home The loan is reduced if you receive a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant

Financial support available Maintenance Grant/Special Support Grant Non-repayable grant for students from low income households (< £41,065)Non-repayable grant for students from low income households (< £41,065) Worth up to £3,475 a year – depending on household incomeWorth up to £3,475 a year – depending on household income SSG is available to students who are eligible for income support or housing benefitSSG is available to students who are eligible for income support or housing benefit Not available for students studying in ROINot available for students studying in ROI

Studying in the ROI No Tuition Fees. Flat rate charge of €2000 paid to institution for you by local SFni office.No Tuition Fees. Flat rate charge of €2000 paid to institution for you by local SFni office. If required to pay €2000 on enrolment day, ensure PN1 application is returned to local SFni office to enable this fee to be refunded by your institution.If required to pay €2000 on enrolment day, ensure PN1 application is returned to local SFni office to enable this fee to be refunded by your institution. Eligible for a maintenance loan and means tested bursary of up to £2000 where income < £23,605.Eligible for a maintenance loan and means tested bursary of up to £2000 where income < £23,605. Transfer or repeat students will be charged full tuition fees (not payable by SFni)Transfer or repeat students will be charged full tuition fees (not payable by SFni) Financial support available

Extra Help with Living Expenses Parents’ Learning Allowance of up to £1,538 a year Parents’ Learning Allowance of up to £1,538 a year Childcare Grant of up to £ a week for one Childcare Grant of up to £ a week for one child and £ a week for two or more child and £ a week for two or more Adult Dependants’ Grant of up to £2,695 a year Adult Dependants’ Grant of up to £2,695 a year

Disabled Students’ Allowance A range of help available which is not means tested on household income Specialist equipment allowance of up to £5,266 for the whole courseSpecialist equipment allowance of up to £5,266 for the whole course Non-medical helpers’ allowance of up to £20,938Non-medical helpers’ allowance of up to £20,938 General allowance of up to £1,759 per yearGeneral allowance of up to £1,759 per year Extra travel costs as a result of the disabilityExtra travel costs as a result of the disability Contact the Disability Adviser at your institution for an assessment of what support you will require. Financial support available

Help from your Institution Higher Education Bursary Scholarship Scheme (HEBSS) Extra (non-repayable) grant from a UK institution for students who are in receipt of full (or in some cases partial) Maintenance Grant or Special Support GrantExtra (non-repayable) grant from a UK institution for students who are in receipt of full (or in some cases partial) Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant No separate application involved – eligibility determined through your Student Finance applicationNo separate application involved – eligibility determined through your Student Finance application Each institution offers different amounts of supportEach institution offers different amounts of support

Assessment process Student Finance NI assesses household income based on: Your gross taxable income (excluding any earnings during institution term-time and holidays); PLUS Gross taxable income of parent(s) / partners / step-parents; LESS Deductions for payments into pension funds and £1,153 for each other dependent child in the household This does not apply to Independent students

Living cost support 2011/12 IncomeMaintenanceGrant Lodging Rate of Loan Maint Grant Plus Loan £19,203£3,475£2,953£6,428 £25,000£2,201£3,289£5,490 £35,000£689£4,151£4,840 £41,065£50£4,790£4,840 £53,035£0£3,630£3,630

Exceptions Health Professional degrees in NI – income assessed bursary of £2355 (2010/11 rate), reduced loan of £2370 and Tuition fees paid in fullHealth Professional degrees in NI – income assessed bursary of £2355 (2010/11 rate), reduced loan of £2370 and Tuition fees paid in full Health Professional degrees elsewhere in UK – reduced loan and NHS bursaryHealth Professional degrees elsewhere in UK – reduced loan and NHS bursary Nursing degrees / diplomas in NI, Scotland and Wales – not eligible for any funding from SFniNursing degrees / diplomas in NI, Scotland and Wales – not eligible for any funding from SFni Nursing degrees in England – reduced loan and NHS bursary. Diplomas in England – no supportNursing degrees in England – reduced loan and NHS bursary. Diplomas in England – no support Social Work degrees in NI – additional funding from DHSSPS of non-means tested grant (£4000 and contribution towards work based learning expenses £500)Social Work degrees in NI – additional funding from DHSSPS of non-means tested grant (£4000 and contribution towards work based learning expenses £500)

Part-time HE Courses HE part time courses must be at least one year’s duration and at least 50% of a full time course. Support for eligible students will consist of: A means tested Tuition fee grant of up to £1,230A means tested Tuition fee grant of up to £1,230 A means tested grant of up to £265A means tested grant of up to £265 Disabled Students’ AllowanceDisabled Students’ Allowance Previous study may impact on the financial support available

How to apply Paper application forms available from school or your local Student Finance NI office or download an application form at application forms available from school or your local Student Finance NI office or download an application form at Complete form fully and return to your local Student Finance NI officeComplete form fully and return to your local Student Finance NI office Pay correct postage (1 st class not sufficient)Pay correct postage (1 st class not sufficient) Apply as soon as possible and check your application onlineApply as soon as possible and check your application online EU Students should apply to the EU Team in DarlingtonEU Students should apply to the EU Team in Darlington

How to apply Information required You must provide the following information with your application form – Original Birth certificate or valid Passport. A Birth certificate must be accompanied by an identity confirmation form Original Birth certificate or valid Passport. A Birth certificate must be accompanied by an identity confirmation form National Insurance Number National Insurance Number Your bank account details Your bank account details Details of your income and that of your household Details of your income and that of your household

What happens next? Application acknowledged and you receive Customer Reference Number ↓ SFni determines whether you are eligible for support and amount due ↓ SLC sends notification of how much support you will receive and when ↓ Take your notification to University at enrolment stage ↓ Your University confirms enrolment ↓ SLC pays your support each term by BACS

What you must do You must tell SFni of any change in your circumstances as this may affect your entitlement e.g. Name / marital statusName / marital status Address (home / lodging)Address (home / lodging) Transfer / Suspension or Withdrawal from course / college.Transfer / Suspension or Withdrawal from course / college. IllnessIllness Drop in parents’ incomeDrop in parents’ income

Things you need to know If you withdraw from your course before 1 December you will not be eligible for a Tuition fee loan, but some institutions may still charge you fees which you will have to payIf you withdraw from your course before 1 December you will not be eligible for a Tuition fee loan, but some institutions may still charge you fees which you will have to pay If you are on a placement / abroad as part of your course you may not receive any support other than a reduced loan (check first with SFNI)If you are on a placement / abroad as part of your course you may not receive any support other than a reduced loan (check first with SFNI) If you receive support for an HND/Dip HE course and move on to year 1 of a degree course you will not receive a Tuition fee loan or a maintenance grant for year 1 of the degreeIf you receive support for an HND/Dip HE course and move on to year 1 of a degree course you will not receive a Tuition fee loan or a maintenance grant for year 1 of the degree If you receive a grant and your entitlement is reassessed to a smaller grant/no grant at all – the SLC will demand repayment from you immediatelyIf you receive a grant and your entitlement is reassessed to a smaller grant/no grant at all – the SLC will demand repayment from you immediately You must reapply each year to get supportYou must reapply each year to get support

Repayments You only repay Student Loans (Fees and maintenance) once you have left your course and are earning over £15,000 a year.You only repay Student Loans (Fees and maintenance) once you have left your course and are earning over £15,000 a year. Repayments are based on what is earned, e.g. earnings at £18,000 pay back £22 a monthRepayments are based on what is earned, e.g. earnings at £18,000 pay back £22 a month You do not repay any grants received unless you withdraw from your course or a re-assessment is requiredYou do not repay any grants received unless you withdraw from your course or a re-assessment is required

How to contact us By telephone on: By post or personal visit: Student Finance NI 3 Charlemont Place The Mall Armagh, BT61 9AX Visit our web site at:

Further Education Awards For certain lower level coursesFor certain lower level courses Payment of approved Tuition feesPayment of approved Tuition fees A grant (maximum £2000)A grant (maximum £2000) Closing Dates: oFull time - 30 June 2011 oPart time - 30 September 2011 Apply to: Student Finance NI Further Education Awards Section Further Education Awards Section 1 Hospital Road 1 Hospital Road Omagh Omagh Telephone: Further Education support is currently under review and the above information may change.

Further Guidance Student Finance NI has endeavoured to detail every aspect of the application process and possible funding available to students entering Further/ Higher Education. If you have any queries that are not mentioned in this presentation please read the ‘Guide to Financial support booklet’ or contact the Customer Services Office on for further assistance.