Welcome To Wirral

Fees

From September 2006 universities and colleges can charge up to £3,000 a year tuition fees. The maximum fee charged for 2008/09 will be £3,145. The amount charged may vary between courses and institutions.

Eligible students will not have to pay fees before they start university or while they are studying. Instead, students will be able to apply for a non means-tested fee loan to cover these costs.

Students will repay the loan once they have left University or College and are earning over £15,000 per year.

Maintenance Grant

The maximum amount available during the 2008/09 academic year is £2,835, how much you will get depends on your income and that of your household. Students with household incomes of £18,360 or less will receive the full maintenance grant students with household incomes of between £18,361 and £39,305 will receive a partial maintenance grant. The maintenance grant does not have to be paid back.

Maintenance Loan

In addition to the maintenance grant maintenance loans are also available to students attending full time designated courses at University or Colleges of Higher Education. The first 25% of the maintenance loan is means-tested. Students receiving a means-tested NHS Bursary can apply for a 50% non-means-tested student loan. The amount of maintenance loan available will depend on the following:

• Where you live and study
• Which course you study
• Which year of the course you are on
• How much you and your family are expected to contribute
• How much Maintenance Grant you receive

Students will repay the loan once they have left University or College and are earning over £15,000 per year.

Supplementary Grants

Some students will be able to apply for extra help depending on their circumstances, these include,

• Disabled Student Allowances. These allowances are not means-tested.
• Adult Dependants Grant. Means-tested support available to students with adult dependants
• Child Care Grant. Means-tested support available to students with dependant children
• Parent Learning Allowance. Means-tested support available to student parents
• Travel Grant. Means-tested support available to students who incur travel costs in certain circumstances.

Supplementary grants do not need to be paid back.

Further information and application forms are available from March each year from the LA, address given above. You can apply on line or download application forms from the following web site, http://www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk

Bursaries

Bursaries are extra financial help for students available from the University or college attended. English Universities or Colleges who charge fees over £2,835 will have to provide extra financial help to students on a low income who receive the full £2,835 Maintenance Grant. How much bursary paid will depend on the University or College attended. However, the bursary will at least match the difference between the tuition fee charged and the £2,835 Maintenance Grant. Further information in respect of Bursaries can be obtained from your University or College. Bursaries do not need to be paid back.