Student loan advice please

[Unimulti]

Hello! I’m planning on applying for a counselling course through clearing, it will be a full time foundation course of 2 years followed by a 1 year BA (hons) that would give me an accredited counselling qualification at the end of it.

My problem is that I have already been to University and had a student loan for it (English Lit BA hons). Does this mean I wouldn’t be entitled to a further student loan? I desperately need to do something vocational and feel that this is the right path for me. I got my degree in 2004 if that makes any difference.

And if I can’t get a student loan does anyone know of any other funding options? I have dcs and a disability so would struggle to work alongside learning though I will continue to do some of the work I do now.

TIA

You will need to ask student finance directly. If you've had funding before you're may not qualify but there may be alternative options available:

www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies?step-by-step-nav=18045f76-ac04-41b7-b147-5687d8fbb64a

If you’ve already completed an undergrad degree you won’t be able to get another set of student finance, so you’ll be expected to pay the tuition fees yourself as well as obviously find living costs.

Depending on the university you may be eligible for a bursary, and you’ll receive disabled students allowance and childcare support.

Have you considered a level 3 counselling qualification instead of a degree?

You could look into the advanced learner loan, but I’m not enormously familiar with those

Thank you both. The student loans advice does say you may be eligible for some support if you are training as a healthcare professional, but I don’t know if this just applies to medical professionals.

I hadn’t considered the level 3, but that doesn’t mean I won’t! Any advice on the best route to becoming a counsellor is very welcome

@Unimulti

Thank you both. The student loans advice does say you may be eligible for some support if you are training as a healthcare professional, but I don’t know if this just applies to medical professionals.

I hadn’t considered the level 3, but that doesn’t mean I won’t! Any advice on the best route to becoming a counsellor is very welcome

Need to check if the course is on the list of allied health professions where you can get finance for a second degree.

Thank you, that’s very helpful. It appears in the wider definitions, so fingers crossed it is on the list. I’ll try to call student loans tomorrow and find out more

I know it is possible to get funding for a second degree if it is a STEM degree. For funding purposes psychology is classed as a STEM subject, so it is definitely worth checking if yours falls into that category. Good luck with your plans!

Counselling isn’t on the list of allied health courses that attract the full package of support as a second degree unfortunately.

@ThatDamnScientist

I know it is possible to get funding for a second degree if it is a STEM degree. For funding purposes psychology is classed as a STEM subject, so it is definitely worth checking if yours falls into that category. Good luck with your plans!

Only if studying part time, and still not eligible for maintenance loans. So maybe look for a part time course. Or try and postgrad conversion? You won't be eligible for a fee loan for a full time degree

Thank you for all your advice. Yes, I can see it doesn’t fall into the funded sections, but if I can get some sort of student loan I may be able to fund the rest by other means.