When do you have to apply for student loan?

[Gardenseasun]

DD is going to Bristol University; we are trying to decide whether we found her for everything or not?

When does she have to apply for the student loan? And how much money will she need for accommodation and living expenses in Bristol

You can apply from March if she is going this year.

How much ££ she will need depends on lots of factors. If your HH income is over about £65k she’ll get the min loan so you may prefer to pay her accommodation and she can live off the loan. Accomm in Bristol is not cheap; halls could be as much as £8k + and a house share could be £10k.

Does she have savings? Could she get a job?

Need to apply by end of May to be guaranteed maintenance paid on time if starting this autumn. In reality SLC will pay on time with a later application.

Dont forget fee loan if you are only talking about supporting her living costs. Bristol is expensive. Halls cost will be on their website. Then work out how much for food, travel, club fees, socialising, phone, clothes etc.

Thank, she is in a gap year and working at the moment. She has some savings which she is hoping to use to but a cheap second hand car and for driving lessons

Is she apply for fees only? Will she need to apply by May?

Can she apply for fees loan one year and not another?

When will she know what accommodation will be allocated.

Yes it can be fees only and change next year. You need to apply by May to guarantee payment when term starts but can be done later.

Yes you can apply for fees loan only ad you can vary what you apply for.

If no maintenance loan, you will need to budget for at least £12k in Bristol. Check accomm on the website - the process varies by uni as to whe n you know. I think with B there is no guarantee of getting first choice tho. Some uni halls SC accomm is more than £10k so bear that in mind

Why is she planning on buying a car? The insurance will be £££ and she won’t need it in Bristol?

Just a cheap one to learn to drive as she wants to learn in a manual and we got an automatic. Maybe just have third party insurance?

I agree I am not sure I would prioritise buying a car. Third party ins is not much cheaper anyway tbh for a 19yo

You apply every year for the loans so she can apply for one or the other or both. It’s means tested on the household income of where she lives, and all income will be taken into account (not the child’s, but her parent and their partner if living together, even if not a parent of the child).
You need to look at Bristol website about when they allocate accommodation as every university is different.

Agreed I’d not waste money on a car right now!