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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Studying Medicine and NHS Bursary

47 replies

Origamiheaven · 31/12/2021 12:10

Can anyone explain how the funding works for year 5 medicine course. My understanding is that the tuition fees are paid by the nhs and all students recieve a grant of £1000. However, I am confused in how the means tested maintenance grant works and are students still able to apply for a loan as before to top this amount up? Thanks for some clarification on this

OP posts:
HostessTrolley · 12/01/2022 09:49

My d gets the minimum loan and will get the minimum nhs bursary etc. I sat down at the start of the course and worked out that her income for years 5/6 will be about £2kpa less than she gets for years 1-4 (she’s currently year 3 at imperial, so mandatory intercalation). I’ve been putting away a bit extra each month since she started to cover the excess - she’s also planning to work p/t during intercalation. She’s done ad hoc vaccinator shifts throughout which has suited her fine, non regular hours to fit around her studies and pays well.

Pepermintea · 29/03/2022 16:14

Hoping that someone will see this thread again!

DD is in her 4th year and applying for the NHS bursary. She is on a placement in Germany so doesn't have others around who are applying. She messaged me to ask if I thought that the reduced student finance money counted as a "sponsorship". I didn't think so. Then she sent me a screenshot of the question and now I'm not sure!

So I have 2 questions:
1 - do you think that the student finance counts as "sponsorship"? (Because of the description)
2- she has already applied for student finance and been told what she'll get, but we haven't been asked about our finances like we usually are. Is this normal for 5th year as student finance don't give much? Previously she has got near the maximum.

Studying Medicine and NHS Bursary
Lovecatsanddogs · 29/03/2022 18:33

Hi I dont think they means test for the maintainance loan. My DS has been told what hes going to get not much! But now we have been asked to send in supporting info.

He has also applied for means tested NHS bursary but so far has only received the £1000 that they all get. I dont think it counts.

I dont think

mumsneedwine · 29/03/2022 18:35

DD got the £1,950 student finance bit. Not sure she's applied for bursary yet. That's a job for Easter I think.
Don't think one affects the other though.

Lovecatsanddogs · 29/03/2022 18:36

Yes thats about what my DS got so far he has £2950 for the year :(

Pepermintea · 29/03/2022 19:34

Thanks. Yes DD will get £1950 student finance. But we are still confused about whether she should tick yes or no for the "are you receiving a sponsorship" question on the NHS bursary form. Have your DC been told how to answer that?

Lovecatsanddogs · 29/03/2022 19:40

Mine ticked no.

Halifaxgirl · 29/03/2022 21:06

My dd just took her final med school exams.She has definitely needed more financial support in the last few months and although frugal,will need help with her last few months rent .She has managed her finances well so happy to help at this point as we can .

Pepermintea · 30/03/2022 11:13

Thanks @Lovecatsanddogs I really don't see how student finance can count as a sponsorship, but the description was unclear

Baytreemum · 30/03/2022 11:46

Could I ask whether a student qualifies for an nhs bursary and fees paid from year 5 if they didn't take a student loan in years 1-4? Thanks

Lovecatsanddogs · 30/03/2022 12:05

I don't see why not as long as university confirms their attendance i think they go on that

Comefromaway · 30/03/2022 12:51

@Pepermintea

Hoping that someone will see this thread again!

DD is in her 4th year and applying for the NHS bursary. She is on a placement in Germany so doesn't have others around who are applying. She messaged me to ask if I thought that the reduced student finance money counted as a "sponsorship". I didn't think so. Then she sent me a screenshot of the question and now I'm not sure!

So I have 2 questions:
1 - do you think that the student finance counts as "sponsorship"? (Because of the description)
2- she has already applied for student finance and been told what she'll get, but we haven't been asked about our finances like we usually are. Is this normal for 5th year as student finance don't give much? Previously she has got near the maximum.

If I were you I'd start a new thread and post this again as if people just look at the OP and first couple of pages they might not bother to get to your bit.
chesirecat99 · 30/03/2022 14:32

She needs to read the guide to filling in the form, @Pepermintea Grin

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2019-07/step%20by%20step%20guide%20to%20the%20Bursary%20Online%20Support%20System%20%28BOSS%29%20%28V7%29%2007%202019.pdf

There might be a newer version but this is the link DS has saved in favourites on our family computer from when he applied last year during lockdown.

There is a helpline too. I had to call them with a question about the parental income proof.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students/contact-us

But the answer is no, the student finance loan does not count as sponsorship.

chesirecat99 · 30/03/2022 15:10

she has already applied for student finance and been told what she'll get, but we haven't been asked about our finances like we usually are. Is this normal for 5th year as student finance don't give much?

The reduced student loan in year 5/6 isn't means tested so you don't need to provide your financial information to student finance.

The parental/partner's income bit of the bursary application is a bit strange as you have to log into their BOSS account to fill it in (or give the information to the student to fill in on your behalf). You can access their application and the financial details of anyone else whose income needs to be declared (eg the other parent or a dependent partner) Hmm

mumsneedwine · 30/03/2022 18:00

Just done DDs. She applied, we got sent links. Then filled in questions (v simple for us as employees), uploaded P60. All done. Sure it will be £1,000. So need to top her up about £1,500, but we had expected that.

chesirecat99 · 30/03/2022 19:41

Maybe the NHS bursary has finally moved into the late 20th century, mumsneedwine Grin

Last year, there were no links. If you wanted to keep your financial information private, the student had to fill in their part of the form online then let you fill in your financial information and submit their bursary application on their behalf. Any supporting evidence from parents had to go in a sealed envelope to be sent with the student's evidence/documents by snail mail Hmm

Lovecatsanddogs · 30/03/2022 19:45

I think the system is different this year. No longer Boss but a specific NHS bursary website.

mumsneedwine · 30/03/2022 20:28

It was v simple. And def an NHS website. Had heard it was quite complicated so was v pleased it's so simple now.
@Lovecatsanddogs hope all going well with you all 🤗

Pepermintea · 30/03/2022 22:59

@chesirecat99 Thank you!

Also glad to hear that the parental part is easy to fill in!

notonmywatch28 · 01/04/2022 20:53

@Baytreemum

Could I ask whether a student qualifies for an nhs bursary and fees paid from year 5 if they didn't take a student loan in years 1-4? Thanks
My dd had her fees paid by her grandparents but still qualified for the bursary and fees paid in year 5.
goodbyestranger · 01/04/2022 21:54

DS1 worked at a cafe to supplement his income in the clinical years.

Baytreemum · 02/04/2022 11:45

Thanks @notonmywatch28

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