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STUDENT SUPPORT
South Cheshire College students

Loans and Grants

South Cheshire College student

For Tuition Fees: New Full-Time Students

  • If you're a full-time student studying on your first higher education course, you can get a government loan for your tuition fees.
  • The changes ONLY apply to new September 2012 undergraduates. Students who started their course in 2011 or earlier, provided they are still on the same course, will remain on the lower fees and funding structure which were in operation when they started the course.
  • Tuition fee loans are only paid back when you are earning over £21,000 a year. Repayments are taken by employers like tax at a rate of 9% of everything over £21,000. If there's debt after 30 years it disappears, so if you never earn over the threshold, you will never repay the debt. You can get more information on the Student Loans company website, The Student Room.

For Tuition Fees: New Part-Time Students

  • If you opt to study part-time for one of our qualifications - usually over three years rather than two, then your tuition fees are reduced on a pro-rata basis
  • From September 2012 onwards new part-time students will be able to apply for a tuition fee loan to cover these costs.
  • The new tuition fees for part-time students ONLY apply if you are starting the course from September 2012. Students who started their course in 2011 or earlier, provided they are still on the same course, will remain on the lower fees and funding structure.
  • To be eligible for a tuition fee loan, this must generally be the first time you're studying on a higher education course. To qualify you must complete a minimum of 25 per cent of the equivalent full-time course load per year.
  • Existing part-time students with a household income under £28,066 will continue to receive a fee grant and course grant instead of a tuition fee loan.

For Living Costs

Living costs cover things like accommodation, food and travel costs. This will vary depending on where you study, though in most cases students at South Cheshire College have limited living costs because they continue to live at home whilst studying.

  • If you're studying full-time, loans, grants and scholarships are available to help you with your living costs. What you'll receive will depend on your personal circumstances. To find out what you may be eligible for, visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance, www.thestudentroom.co.uk/studentfinance or telephone our Student Support and Welfare team on +44 (0)1270 654654 ext. 501/502.
  • New part-time students are not eligible for a grant to cover living costs.
  • Existing part-time students with a household income under £28,066 will continue to receive a fee grant and course grant instead of a tuition fee loan.

Additional Financial Support

In addition to tuition fee loans and living cost loans (also called maintenance loans) there is other financial support available to help full-time students with the cost of studying at college or university.

Grants:

  • Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be paid back.
  • Grants are not available to all students, and if you are eligible, the amount you receive depends on your household income.
  • If you're a student from a lower income background they can help pay towards your living costs (food, travel, accommodation etc) while you study.
  • Got current information about what grants may be available and your eligibility, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

Bursaries:

  • South Cheshire College offers its own bursaries, which are paid annually and you don't have to pay the money back.
  • The College uses a set of criteria to determine the eligibility of all applicants. The College will usually give you a bursary if you're eligible for a full grant but may give you a bursary even if you are only eligible for a partial grant.

National Scholarship Programme:

  • The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) starts in September 2012. It gives financial help to students studying in higher education in England. The NSP is designed to help students whose families' income is £25,000 a year or less. Eligible students need to also fulfill a minimum criteria range set by the College.
  • NSP awards are in addition to any other student finance you might apply for, apart from help with your tuition fees.
  • If you believe that you may be eligible for the NSP, please contact our Student Advisors on +44 (0)1270 654654 ext. 501/502 once you have an offer of a place at the College.

Additional Allowances/Grants

Some students are also eligible for additional support, including those with a disability or specific learning difficulties, and students who have children or other dependants.

Please see the DfES publications "Bridging the Gap": a guide to the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) in higher education" and "Childcare Grant and other support for student parents in higher education" for more information.