To help my understanding of UCAS applications

[Hurryupsummer3]

Wondering if MN can give me some clarification on a couple of questions I can’t seem to find the answers to -

• On uni application we have selected to live in on a couple that may be commutable to. We still need to try this, can we amend this later or do we need to know for certain before picking firm/insured places & confirm to uni?
• After exam results & accepted for a firm choice, dc can still go through clearance if rejecting firm choice (if better grades achieved)? I’ve read conflicting info on this regarding contract & the uni may not allow it.
• “Maintenance loan, if not entitled to benefits”. I can’t work out the criteria for benefits while at uni.

I would appreciate anyone shedding some light on this. xx

1. You don't need to decide about accommodation until you've accepted an offer

1. You can go through clearing if you get better results than expected but the better universities may already have filled their places and not have any more to offer.

1. Assuming England, the SFE website will tell you basic eligibility criteria e.g residency, not already used a loan etc. Unless you've lived independently for 3 years, or a few other exceptions, the maintenance grant is calculated based on parents income. If you are eligible for a tuition fee loan you are eligible for a basic maintenance loan, regardless of income.

You usually won't be eligible for benefits if enrolled on a full time uni course. Amount of maintenance loan depends on lots of factors, primarily parent's income and uni location.

We're looking at clearing as an option despite 3 unconditional offers. If results are better than expected DD might get into other unis, we're still going to open days between now and August

1. Yes you can, the unis won't even know exactly who's coming until the results are out, so they definately won't be able to finalise halls until after that.
2. Yes you can. However unis will prefer to give places to those who have accepted an offer, than people who rejected an offer and then wanted one through clearing, so it depends what places are available.

For example - B is your daughter
Offers:
Student A & B - same offer
A accepts offer
B rejects offer because she has accepted places with lower grades

Results day
Student A makes grades
Student B makes grades

A & B both meet offer - B getting higher grades than A
Uni could still chose to accept A with lower grades but an accepted offer
and reject B because she rejected their offer and A has met grades so deserves the place they accepted over B who also met the uni's offer, but did accept it.

Thank you