Finance for Full-time HE Students

Grants & Loans

There is a wide range of financial help available, to finance both tuition fees and your living expenses, whilst studying at HE level. These include:

  • Tuition Fee Loan - assessed by your Local Authority;
  • Student Maintenance Loan - assessed by your Local Authority;
  • Assembly Learning Grant (Wales) - assessed by your Local Authority;
  • Maintenance Grant - same as above, for English students;
  • University & College Scholarships

One of the first things you will need to do once you have been accepted onto a full-time course is to contact your Local Education Authority's Student Grants and Awards Department for a PN1 form (new students) or the PR1 form (existing students).

This form will allow you to apply for financial support toward your tuition fees, take out a student loan and apply for the Assembly Learning Grant (ALG). This process is calculated according to your personal means.

To obtain a PN1 form please contact your Local Education Authority:

 

Local Education Authority Contact
Bridgend LEA 01656 642637
Caerphilly LEA 01443 864854
Cardiff LEA 029 2087 2846
Vale of Glamorgan LEA 01446 709539
Rhondda LEA 01443 744000
Swansea LEA 01792 636379
Neath Port Talbot LEA 01639 763580

You will receive a Student Notification from the Student Loans Company (SLC) which will tell you if you will be required to pay anything towards your tuition fees or whether you may need to consider taking out a Tuition Fee Loan. This sheet will also tell you what other financial help you have requested.

Tuition Fee Loan

If you cannot afford your tuition fees you may request a Tuition Fee Loan from the SLC. This amount is paid directly to your college but will be added to the amount owed to the SLC and has to be paid back.

Maintenance Loan

This loan will usually be paid in three instalments; one at the start of each term. The SLC will make payments straight into your bank or building society account. You will receive a payment schedule telling you when you will get your money. Please note that this will not be released until you have completed enrolment at the College and at the University that franchises your course. There will be a delay of approximately 2 weeks from your enrolment for processing of loan payments through franchised Universities. You will be required to pay this amount back once you are earning above £15,000.

Higher Education Assembly Learning Grant (ALG)

This is available as extra support for students living in Wales. You may apply for an ALG on top of a student loan and other forms of support. Full-time and part-time undergraduate students must be attending a course of 30 credits to be eligible.

The Assembly Learning Grant is paid in three instalments, one at the start of each term, like the Student Loan. The amount you receive will be dependent upon household income, and will be calculated by your Local Authority when you make your application.

For further arrangements for the ALG for entry in September 2011 please visit either http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/ or contact your local LEA office or Bridgend College Tel: 01656 302364.

Other Financial Help Available via your Local Education Authority

  • Childcare Grant - available for students with dependant children and depends on your circumstances
  • Parents' Learning Allowance - help for course-related costs for students who have dependent children
  • Adult Dependants' Grant - for students with a dependant adult
  • Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) - Full-time and part-time students with disabilities
  • Child Tax Credit from the Inland Revenue.

To find out more & for assistance in filling out your finance forms, logon to:

Students - Wales: http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/

Students - England: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance