Higher Education - financial support

There have been lots of changes in recent years to financial help for students for tuition fees and Maintenance Grants, and loans to meet living costs.

• There are non-repayable Maintenance Grants, targeted at students from lower income backgrounds. In 2008-9 these could be worth up to £2,835 a year, and are available to students with an annual household income of up to £39,305.
• Universities and colleges charging the full tuition fee for a course must offer non-repayable bursaries to students receiving the maximum Maintenance Grant. In 2007-8 the minimum bursary will be £305; however many universities are offering more, and not just to these students.
• There is extra help for students who have children or adult dependants, and for students who have a disability.
• Student loans are available from the government.
• Student Loans for Fees are available to cover the whole of your tuition fees.
• Student Loans for Maintenance help towards your living costs.
• Students living in London and away from their parents' home could get up to £6,475 in 2008-9, with less if they live outside London or at their parents' home.
• You don't start to pay back your student loan until you have left your course and are earning over £15,000 per year. Then you repay only 9% of your earnings above £15,000 a year. This means someone earning a salary of £18,000 a year repays around £5.19 per week.

For more information on student finance, visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance or telephone 0800 587 8500 and ask for a copy of How to get financial help as a student (Reference FINANCE 08). You can also get advice from your Connexions personal adviser or at www.connexions-direct.com.