Student finance

[Butby]

Just in the process of completing ucas for Dd1 but having never done this before wanted some advice.

It seems we are in the financial bracket where she wouldn't get a maintenance grant but we can't afford to pay for her accommodation or living costs, could she qualify for a maintenance loan to cover these? She's looking to nursing so no course costs as such and I believe there is a non means tested bursary.

So confusing

I thought the maintenance grant was being scrapped from 2016 anyway - so all loans?

All UK eligible students get a maintenance loan. Minimum for 2015 was £3730 ish. Can get that when above upper household income limit (£62k approx) or not declaring income.

AFAIK there are three parts to the maintenance side.

Basic that everyone can apply for and get (about 3600 out of London). Repayable loan

Next part - another £3000 ish? Based on family income. Maintenance loan and repayable

Last part £2K ish. Based on family income and only for very low incomes. Maintenance grant and not repayable but that status is planned to be changing.

Hopefully someone can verify the rates ad I'm not entirely sure of them.

My DD s friend gets the first and part of second bracket. She then has to work to pay the rest of her accommodation and food etc. Lots do but I'd imagine it's harder doing that in some cities or on some courses. My DD works in summer instead which was quite long this year. She also doesn't drink much (by choice)

as far as I can see, they haven't announced the bandings for the income based maintenance loan part (grants are scrapped for 2016 entrants onwards). Everyone gets the minimum (approx £3700 this year), and then up to £8k will be on a sliding scale of parental income.

However, I think nursing may be different, as there's NHS funding involved. The course websites should have guidance.

If you're not declaring income (because above the limit) is it a straight forward process?

OP I'm on my phone and can't link. Google for student finance gov.UK, and you should find the relevant page for 2016 entry. It has rates and a calculator.

I have another question - the answer to which isn't immediately apparent on the website. But people might know through experience.

The maintenance loan amount depends on whether you are in London, or not. What if your first choice offer is outside London, and you don't make your offer, and you end up at your second choice which is in London? If that's a possibility, do you apply for the outside London loan and then change your application after results day? Does this then delay the receipt of the loan? And vice Versace - what if your first choice is in London but you end up going somewhere outside London? This is obviously only relevant to people who have a mixture of London and non London in their preferences. But it's my new thing to worry about.

Uhtred there are SLC "change of circumstances" forms which cover all that.