Rough Cut: Full-Time Students Funding 2011/12
Produced by Middlesex University Student Welfare Advice Team (SWAT)
The purpose of this leaflet is to give ‘home
home £50,020. Income above this level will not attract a
students’
students’ a basic overview of the funding available grant.
for students starting their course in academic year
2011/12. For a summary of what home student Is the grant paid in one lump sum?
means refer to Rough Cut: 2011/12 Home Status. No, it is paid in three instalments at the beginning
No,
At times we will use the term means-tested. This of each term directly into your bank account.
means that the money you receive depends upon Is it available to all students?
your household income levels. No, certain students who are eligible for means-
Note: If you have already completed a degree tested benefits, e.g. lone parents, will not receive
course in the UK or any other country you will not this grant.
qualify for any financial help towards your fees or So what do I get if I am eligible for benefits?
living costs, unless you are studying a nursing If you are eligible to claim means-tested benefits
degree, or ITT. See Rough Cut: 2011/12 Previous you can apply for the Special Support Grant instead
Study and Effects on Funding of the Maintenance Grant. This is a grant of up to
I am starting my course in 2011/12. How much £2,906 with exactly the same income thresholds as
tuition fee will I have to pay? the Maintenance Grant. However, this grant will not
The tuition fee for academic year 2011/12 is be counted as income if you claim benefits, and will
£3,375, (the level will increase slightly each year not affect the amount of Maintenance Loan you
in line with inflation). You can borrow the money receive……more on that later!
from the Student Loan Company, which you repay What about the Maintenance Loan?
when you have finished your course. The Maintenance Loan is available to students who
So how do I apply? are under 60 years of age before starting their
You can apply on line for a Fee Loan from Student course. 28% of the loan is means-tested.
Finance England at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance Can you get both the Maintenance Grant and
or if you prefer you can download a PN1 paper the Maintenance Loan?
application. We suggest it may be quicker to apply Yes. However, if you receive the Maintenance
Yes.
on line. Grant your loan will be reduced by 50p for every £1
How is it paid?
of Maintenance Grant to which you are entitled. See
The fee loan is paid directly to the University by figures below to illustrate this:
the Student Loan Company. Maintenance Loan Rates 2011/2012
Is the fee loan means-tested? Students 100% including If receiving full
No
No, household income is not counted. means-tested grant
amount
Are there any age restrictions? Living away from £6,928 £5,475
No,
No you can apply for fee loans irrespective of your home in London
age. Living at £3,838 £2,385
How do I pay for my living costs? parents’ home
means-
You will be able to apply for a means-tested
What happens if I receive the Special Support
Maintenance Grant of up to £2,906. Grant?
Unlike the Fee Loan, this grant is non-repayable. You can also apply for a Maintenance Loan.
What are the household income thresholds to However, you will not have any money deducted
receive this grant? from your loan. Students receiving the Special
For students starting University in 2011/12 the Support Grant will receive 100% of the loan as
threshold to receive the full Maintenance Grant is a stated in the first column in the table above.
household income of up to £25,000. If your
Can I claim money for my dependants?
household income exceeds this amount you will have
the grant reduced. A proportional payment will be
Yes, non-
Yes, there are additional non-repayable allowances
made to students with a household income up to
paid each year for students who have dependants. through the tax system. For example, if you are
These include the following: earning £18,000, your employer will deduct 9% of
• Adult Dependant Allowance £3,000 (the amount over £15,000). This will
This is a means-tested grant of up to £2,642 for come to £270 per year.
students who have a partner or another adult who Warning: If you receive an email from Student
is financially dependent on them. Finance England asking you to confirm your personal
details DO NOT respond. SFE will never send
• Childcare Grant emails asking for this information. If you receive
This is a means-tested grant for students who have such a request, email security@slc.co.uk and inform
to pay for childcare. The grant covers up to 85% them.
of ‘registered’ or ‘approved’ childcare costs a week.
The maximum payment available is £148.75 a week What about University Bursaries and
for one child and £255 for two or more. Scholarships?
• Parent Learning Allowance If you are receiving the full £2,906 Maintenance
This is an additional means-tested grant of up to Grant or Special Support Grant you will be eligible
£1,508 for students with dependent children. The to receive a bursary of £340 from the University.
grant is intended to help with course related costs. Application forms can be downloaded at MyUniHub –
For further information about money for parents see My Admin and Finance. The University also offers
Rough Cut: 2011/12 Childcare Grant and Other an Achievement Scholarship of £1,000 a year to
Money for Student Parents. students entering particular courses. Applicants will
normally have achieved or be predicted to get 280
Is there any help available for disabled - 360 UCAS points from A2 level or equivalent
students? level 3 qualifications including BTEC, requirements
Yes, non means-tested Disabled Student Allowances vary between schools. These students will be
are payable to students who have a mental health picked up during the University admission process.
condition, a specific learning difficulty or a disability. For up to date information regarding what other
The allowance is intended to offset extra costs that scholarships Middlesex offer see:
arise due to attending the course, or to overcome www.mdx.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/fees/scholarshi
difficulties that may arise while studying. Students on ps/index.aspx
distance learning courses can also apply. The
allowance has three components: a Specialist Is there any other support available from the
Equipment Allowance, a Non-Medical Helper University?
Allowance, and a General Allowance. For more Yes, you can also apply for the University’s Access
Yes,
information see Rough Cut: 2011/2012 Disability Fund
to Learning Fund.
Support. This is a discretionary fund targeted towards
students experiencing hardship. Applications should
How do I apply for all this support? be made on the yellow form available from your
You apply in the same way that you apply for the School Student Office or The Student Welfare Advice
Fee Loan on line at: Team (SWAT).
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance or if you prefer you
can download a PN1 paper application. If you are puzzled by anything mentioned in this
When you fill out your application you will also have leaflet or would like to access more Rough Cuts go
to provide the following documentary evidence: to:
• National Insurance Number http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/support/swat/roughcuts/index.aspx
• Birth Certificate/Passport number Middlesex University Student Welfare Advice Team have made every effort to ensure that
the information contained in this leaflet is accurate. Middlesex University however, cannot be
• Household income details held responsible for any omissions or errors.
• Student Bank Account details
How do I pay back my Fee Loan and
Maintenance Loan?
You will not be expected to repay the loans until
you have finished your course. As soon as you
are earning above the £15,000 per year threshold
you will have deductions made from your salary