Types of UK Loans for Part-time Students
It is often expensive even for attending college part- time. Under such circumstances the only way most individuals can go to college is by getting a student loan. Luckily, if you’re starting a part-time course in higher education, you could get financial help through the Fee Grant, Course Grant and other sources – depending on your circumstances.
The main sources of government-funded help for lower income part-time students are the Fee Grant – to help with tuition fees, and the Course Grant – to help with study costs, such as books, materials and travel. The maximum Fee Grant you can get is based on how ‘intensive’ your course is – how long it takes to complete compared to the equivalent full-time course. For the most intensive courses, the maximum available through the Fee Grant and Course Grant combined is £1,470 for 2009/2010. If you are getting certain benefits, you’ll qualify for the maximum automatically. Otherwise, how much you can get depends on your personal circumstances and household income. Any help you get through the Fee Grant or Course Grant doesn’t have to be paid back.
You will need to make a separate application for each academic year, using the application form for part-time student finance (PTG1). Fill in the form and take it with you to your college or university when you start your course. The administration office will complete the rest of the form confirming that you are a student there, how intensive your course is, and what the tuition fees are. If you are a new student starting a course in 2009/2010, you will then need to send the form to Student Finance England.
If you started your course before 2009/2010, you’ll need to send the completed form either to your local authority or to the Student Loans Company – depending on where you live. The same rules on the Fee Grant and Course Grant apply, but the Open University deals with its own applications. Contact the Open University directly for a separate application form. Before you apply, it is worth checking that you’re eligible for the Fee Grant and Course Grant. If you have a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty, you can apply for extra help through Disabled Students’ Allowances.
A number of organizations offer grants on top of the student finance package provided by the government. You can find information at most public libraries. Useful publications include the Educational Grants Directory, the Charities Digest, the Grants Register, and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts. Or you can ask a student adviser at your college or university. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) can also help you find out what’s available. EGAS provides students – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds – with expert guidance on getting funding for education and training.
If your university or college runs the Additional Fee Support Scheme, it could provide extra help if you are on a low income, your course will take no longer than twice as long to complete as the equivalent full-time course, you get the Fee Grant, but it does not fully cover your tuition fees – and you would not be able to apply to or continue with your course without additional support. If you are in financial difficulty, help may also be available through the Access to Learning Fund. These schemes are run by universities and colleges in England. Those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland don’t take part, but they may offer similar help. You can find out what’s available from your university or college’s student support office.