STUDENT FINANCE 2017/18 A PRACTITIONER’S INTRODUCTION

SESSION CONTENTS • The student finance package • Part-time package Additional support NHS courses Student loan repayment Application information Resources

THE STUDENT FINANCE PACKAGE 2017/18

THE STUDENT FINANCE PACKAGE SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS INCLUDES: Bursaries & scholarships Tuition fee support Maintenance (living cost) support Additional support The Student Finance Package The financial support package for students may change in 2018/19 following an independent review on higher education funding and student finance. You can find out more and keep up-to-date with the latest information by visiting the Welsh Government website (www.gov.wales/DiamondReview). Figures in this section may change, subject to 2017/18 policy approval.

THE STUDENT FINANCE PACKAGE 2017/18 TUITION FEE AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

TUITION FEES TUITION FEES OVERVIEW OVERVIEW Currently capped at £9,000 per year for universities and colleges in Wales. Universities and colleges in England who meet certain conditions can charge up to £9,250. The tuition fee will be decided by the university or college including if it charges different amounts for different courses. The average tuition fee for new students in 2015 was about £8,703. Students at private universities or colleges offering courses designated by the Welsh Government will be able to borrow up to £6,165* towards tuition costs. *Students will have to self-fund any additional fee charged. Universities and colleges in England with an Access Agreement from the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) and meet the expectations of the Teaching Excellence Framework will be able to charge up to £9,250 a year for a full-time course. All universities in Wales and those in England who don’t meet these requirements will be able to charge up to £9,000 a year for a full-time course. For students starting their studies in the academic year 2015/16, the average tuition fee was £8,703 (OFFA) https://www.offa.org.uk/press/quick-facts/

TUITION FEES TUITION FEE SUPPORT For eligible Welsh students attending a full-time course at a publicly-funded UK university. Tuition Fee Loan a non means-tested fee loan of up to £4,296 if a tuition fee of £9,250 is charged or up to £4,046 if a tuition fee of £9,000 is charged. Tuition Fee Grant non means-tested Tuition Fee Grant to cover the difference between the maximum Tuition Fee Loan available and the tuition fee actually charged by the university or college a maximum grant of £4,954 is available – non repayable grant and loan paid directly to university or college

THE STUDENT FINANCE PACKAGE 2017/18 MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

MAINTENANCE SUPPORT MAINTENANCE LOAN The majority of the repayable Maintenance Loan will be available to all eligible students. 75% of the total loan is non means tested (not based on household income). The amount of Maintenance Loan available will be linked to where a student lives and studies while in higher education.

! MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Full-year student (*) 75% non means tested MAINTENANCE LOAN 2017/18 MAXIMUM RATES Full-year student (*) 75% non means tested 25% means tested Maximum loan Parental home £4,019 £1,339 £5,358 Elsewhere £5,191 £1,731 £6,922 London £7,273 £2,424 £9,697 Overseas £6,190 £2,063 £8,253 (*) Slightly lower rates of support apply to final year students. ! An additional means-tested loan is available for each extra week of study for students attending their course beyond 30 weeks.

MAINTENANCE SUPPORT WELSH GOVERNMENT LEARNING GRANT Non-repayable grant for 2017/18 is up to £5,161 (max). 100% means tested. Students from households with income of up to £18,370 will be entitled to the maximum £5,161 Students from households with incomes of up to £50,020 will be entitled to a partial grant.

Welsh Gov Learning Grant MAINTENANCE SUPPORT COMBINED SUPPORT: Students living away from home, outside London 2017/18 Household income £ Welsh Gov Learning Grant Maintenance Loan Total £18,370 & under £5,161 £4,342 £9,503 £20,000 £4,715 £4,565 £9,280 £25,000 £3,347 £5,249 £8,596 £26,500 £2,936 £5,454 £8,390 £30,000 £2,099 £5,873 £7,972 £34,000 £1,142 £6,351 £7,493 £40,000 £734 £6,555 £7,289 £45,000 £393 £6,726 £7,119 £50,020 £50 £6,897 £6,947 £50,753 £0 £6,922 £58,484 (+) £5,191 (+) £5,191 The amount of loan for which students are eligible will be reduced by 50p for every £1 of grant to which they are entitled, up to a maximum of £2,580.   For income between £18,371 and £26,500, the grant is reduced by £1 for every complete £3.653 by which the income exceeds £18,370. For income between £26,501 and £34,000, the grant is reduced by £1 for every complete £4.180 by which the income exceeds £26,500. For income between £34,001 and £50,020, the grant is reduced by £1 for every complete £14.670 by which the income exceeds £34,000. A student whose income is £50,020 will be eligible for the minimum grant of £50. A student whose income exceeds £50,020 will not be eligible for any grant. Where students’ income exceeds £50,753, the amount of loan to which they are entitled is reduced by £1 for every complete £5 by which the income exceeds £50,753 until 75% of the full maintenance loan remains. This point is indicated by (+) in the table above.

TUITION FEE SUPPORT FEE SUPPORT FOR OTHER COURSES Course type(*) Max Tuition Fee Loan entitlement (publicly-funded uni or college) Max Tuition Fee Grant entitlement (publicly-funded uni or college) (privately funded uni or college) Max Maintenance Loan Sandwich Placement Year £950 £900 £1,230 Reduced Loan Sandwich Year ERASMUS+ Scheme £710 £675 £920 Overseas Rate Overseas Placement Students who started their studies on or after 1 September 2014 who undertake a work placement year as part of a sandwich course will be charged a tuition fee up to 20% of the institution’s maximum fee cap. Students who started their studies on or after 1 September 2014 who undertake a year abroad placement (for either study or work within the ERASMUS+ scheme, and for a study placement outside of the ERASMUS+ scheme) will be charged a tuition fee up to 15% of the institution’s maximum fee cap (this would be up to £1,385 where the higher tuition fee is charged).

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OVERVIEW Extra money or support may be available to students if they: have children or adults dependent on them have a disability, including a long-term health condition, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT DISABLED STUDENTS’ ALLOWANCES (DSAs) Help towards the additional costs that a student may face as a result of their disability, including a long-term health condition, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty. DSAs support: is available in addition to the standard student finance package Doesn’t have to be repaid is not affected by household income looks at the specific needs of the individual in relation to their disability and how it affects their studies

Part-time maximum support Full-time maximum Support ADDITIONAL SUPPORT DISABLED STUDENTS’ ALLOWANCES (DSA) DSA rates 2017/18 Allowance Part-time maximum support Full-time maximum Support Frequency of payment Non-medical personal helper £15,885 £21,181 Annual Specialist equipment £5,332 Duration of course Other disability-related expenditure £1,338 £1,785 Disability-related travel Reasonable spending can be claimed

! THE STUDENT FINANCE PACKAGE STUDENTS WITH DEPENDANTS Childcare Grant Based on 85% of actual registered/approved childcare costs up to maximum of: £161.50 per week for one child £274.55 per week for two or more children If no childcare provider details are provided a maximum cap of £115 p/w will apply to the first installment. Parents’ Learning Allowance Help with course-related costs for students with dependent children. Amount received will be between £50 and £1,557. Adult Dependants’ Grant For students with a partner or another adult who is financially dependent on them (cannot be an adult child). Maximum grant is £2,732. The amount of childcare grant payable will be based on 85% of actual childcare costs, subject to a maximum grant of £161.50 per week for one child only or £274.55 per week for two or more children.   Where a childcare provider has not been identified, the amount of Childcare Grant payable will be based on 85% of actual childcare costs, subject to a maximum grant of £115 per week. This lower rate payment will be made until details of the childcare provider have been submitted but subject to a maximum of one academic quarter (usually a term). A re-assessment will be carried out once provider details are received. Adult Dependants’ Grant - Where the student does not have a partner within the meaning of the regulations, a student may be eligible for this grant in respect of one adult dependant whose net income does not exceed £3,923. ! Dependants’ Grants are income related. Universities may offer additional support to students with childcare/caring responsibilities.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES

! SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES Extra help for many students is available from universities. Each university has its own scheme – students need to research these. Students are more likely to get help if... their family has a low income they are the first person in their family to go to university they study a particular subject (depending on university) they get good grades at school/college they study locally ! Students should check university websites and ask at open days and UCAS conventions for information on bursaries and scholarships: what is available and how/when to apply.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Unistats provides the ability to compare a selection of courses and universities based on key information sets looking at important areas such as satisfaction and future employability, but also covers financial areas including average fee levels, bursary provision and average costs of accommodation in the particular town or city.

PART-TIME SUPPORT

WELSH PART-TIME SUPPORT PACKAGE New eligible students who start a part-time course on or after 1 September 2014 at a publicly-funded university or college or on behalf of a publicly-funded university or college in Wales will be able to apply for a non-income assessed Tuition Fee Loan up to £2,625. New eligible students who start a part-time course on or after 1 September 2014 at a wholly private university or college will be able to apply for a non-income assessed Tuition Fee Loan up to £2,625 (the fee charged may exceed £2,625; in this case, the student must pay the difference.) New eligible Welsh domiciled students who start a part-time course on or after 1 September 2014 can apply for the existing income assessed part-time course grant, part-time dependants’ Grants (ADG, PLA and CCG and if the intensity is over 50%) and part-time DSAs only (if the intensity is over 25%). EU students are eligible for fee support only and are therefore not eligible to apply for part-time course grant, Dependants’ Grants or DSAs. Students studying part-time courses at a university or college in England can borrow up to £6,935.

NHS COURSES

NHS COURSES FUNDING Eligible courses Students must be accepted for an NHS-funded place on a full or part-time course which leads to professional registration as a: doctor or dentist (they will be eligible for an NHS bursary after the fourth year of their course) chiropodist (including podiatrist), dietitian, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, radiographer, healthcare scientist, paramedic, speech and language therapist dental hygienist or dental therapist nurse or midwife NHS bursaries are not intended for: registered first level nurses seeking a second registration in nursing registered midwives seeking a second registration in midwifery

OTHER COURSES NHS COURSES NHS support Students on eligible courses may be able to get a bursary from the NHS. A bursary is a yearly payment to help with living costs and tuition fees. It’s paid each month and doesn’t have to be paid back. More detailed information is available at http://www.nwsspstudentfinance.wales.nhs.uk/home Full-time students on NHS degrees can also apply for a fixed grant of £1,000 per year. SFW support Full-time NHS students can also apply to Student Finance Wales for a reduced rate Maintenance Loan which is not dependent on income.

OTHER SUPPORT NHS COURSES NHS degrees up to 30 weeks (16/17 figures) Non means-tested grant Means tested bursary Non means-tested loan Elsewhere £1,000 £2, 643 £3,392 With Parents £2,207 £2,544 NHS Degrees up to 45 weeks (16/17 figures) Non means-tested grant Means tested Bursary Non means-tested Loan Elsewhere £1,000 £4,395 £3,392 With Parents £3,351 £2,544 The NHS Bursary figures for 2017/18 are still to be published, this slide will be update once they’re available.

OTHER SUPPORT NHS COURSES Fees NHS pays non-medical course fees Medicine and dentistry: Arrangements differ depending on year of study and pathway. Tuition Fee Loan will be available. NHS usually pays final year. Additional support Allowances for disabled students and students with dependent adults and children are available from the NHS. Students can also claim help with travel costs to their placements, if they have additional costs to those incurred when travelling to their university.

OTHER COURSES NHS COURSES AT UNIVERSITIES IN ENGLAND Students studying medicine, dentistry or any other allied health profession course at a university or college in England from 2017/18 won’t be able to apply for funding from the NHS. They will be able to apply to Student Finance Wales for help with their living costs and tuition fees in the same way as students on other courses.

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT OVERVIEW Repayment contributions will not be made until students have finished their course and their income is over £21,000 (£1,750 pm) before tax. Full-time students will begin to repay in the April after graduating/leaving their course. Part-time students can begin to repay in the April four years after they have started their course. (If their income is over £21,000.) Repayments will be 9% of income over £21,000 and will be deducted automatically from pay through the HMRC tax system for most students. If income falls to £21,000 or below repayments will stop. STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

! STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT THE FIGURES £21,000 £0 £25,000 £4,000 £30 Income each year before tax Income from which 9% will be deducted Approximate monthly repayment £21,000 £0 £25,000 £4,000 £30 £30,000 £9,000 £67 £35,000 £14,000 £105 £40,000 £19,000 £142 £45,000 £24,000 £180 £50,000 £29,000 £217 £60,000 £39,000 £292 ! Any outstanding loan balance will be cleared 30 years after entering repayment.

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT INTEREST RATES There will be a variation in the interest rate attached to a student’s loan during study and when earning following graduation: During study until entering repayment Interest rate is: Retail Price Index (RPI) plus3% Earnings: Below £21,000 RPI Only Earnings Between: £21,000 - £41,000 RPI plus up to 3% Above £41,000 Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 3% Current basic RPI rate in force from 1st September to 31st August is 0.9%

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT DEDICATED WEBSITE

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PARTIAL CANCELLATION OF LOANS Eligibility will be automatic once the student starts repaying their student loan, either voluntarily or when they are required to do so. Partial cancellation of up to £1,500. The amount of partial cancellation received will depend on how much maintenance loan they have borrowed and their outstanding balance, for example: If they have a Maintenance Loan of £300 and the amount of their first repayment is £10, they will receive a partial cancellation of £290. If they have a Maintenance Loan of £3,000 and the amount of their first repayment is £50, they will receive a partial cancellation of £1,500. Students are only entitled to receive a partial cancellation once. Therefore, if they received a partial cancellation in 2013/14 they will not be entitled to another cancellation in any subsequent academic year.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

APPLICATION INFORMATION KEY MESSAGES Apply online at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk as soon as possible once the application opens to make sure student finance is in place for the start of their course. Register on UCAS and we can let students know when it’s time to apply. They do not need a confirmed place at university or college to apply. Make a note of their account log-in details and keep them safe. Agree to share information from their application, this helps apply for many bursaries and some scholarships. Students will be assessed for non means-tested support if there are any delays in receiving household income information. APPLICATION INFORMATION

APPLICATION INFORMATION COMPLETING AN APPLICATION Before starting an application, students should have the following to hand: • passport - SFW can check identity using valid UK passport details • university and course details bank account details and National Insurance number After they’ve submitted their application, they should: print, sign and return their online declaration send any evidence they’ve been asked for If parents or other sponsors will be supporting a student’s application, they will need their own account on studentfinancewales.co.uk to provide information including: • National Insurance number(s) Household income information Details of other child dependants The easiest way for a student to prove their identity is to give us their valid UK passport number online, when they apply. We can then check and confirm their identity without them having to actually send us their passport. If a student doesn’t have a valid UK passport they’ll need to send us their original *birth or *adoption certificate, along with a Birth/Adoption Certificate Declaration Form. This is available from studentfinancewales.co.uk If the student is a non-UK passport holder, they’ll need to send us their *valid non-UK passport and any original *supporting letters from the UK Border Agency explaining the student’s residency status. *These must be original documents, not photocopies. We’ll return them once we’ve confirmed their identity and checked they’re eligible. If there is more than one dependant child in the same household, a standard allowance of £1,130 is deducted from the household income for each of these additional dependants. If there is more than one student from the same household in higher education (depending on household income) a further reduction may be possible through applying split contributions (expected parental contribution to a student’s maintenance costs). For example, in a household with two students and a household contribution of £500, this would be divided between the two students. Where students in the same household fall under different student finance regulations, their household contribution would be calculated according to the regulations which apply to their individual circumstances. The household contribution is then divided by the number of students in that household. A full chart of expected contributions based on household income can be found in the policy documents on www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/practitioners If sponsors can’t submit income details online, they can complete a paper form.

APPLICATION INFORMATION STUDENTFINANCEWALES.CO.UK

APPLICATION INFORMATION NEW LOOK ‘MY ACCOUNT’ Making it easier to navigate and understand

APPLICATION INFORMATION EVIDENCE AND HOUSEHOLD INCOME

STUDENT FINANCE APPLICATIONS STUDENT FINANCE APPLICATIONS IDENTITY EVIDENCE STUDENT FINANCE APPLICATIONS IDENTITY EVIDENCE SFW require all students to provide identity evidence in order for their application to progress. The following list details acceptable identification (ID) evidence: UK students – identity evidence Students confirm identity by providing valid passport details in their online application. If they haven't included passport details in their online application they will need to send one of the following: a completed UK Passport Details Form (if holding a valid passport) original UK birth or adoption certificate along with a countersigned Birth/Adoption Certificate Form (ADIF)

STUDENT FINANCE APPLICATIONS IDENTITY EVIDENCE – NON UK STUDENTS SFW require one of the following documents to be sent as proof of identity: EU National Identity Card (must be in date) original non-UK passport (must be in date) Biometric Residence Permit cards Non-UK students may also need to submit the following evidence: original Home Office documents – to prove refugee status or leave to enter or remain status photocopies of P60, Contract of Employment, Tax Returns or a P45 – to prove European Economic Area (EEA) or UK work details a letter confirming addresses for the last three years prior to the start of their course – to confirm residency details Residence Permit cards are now issued by the Home Office to replace the Immigration Status Document (ISD) and confirms identity and residency status. If you are unable to provide your original passport or travel document because it is with the Home Office, you can provide a certified copy of the original along with a letter from the Home Office confirming why the original is not available. Please remember that the copy must be certified by a person of good standing in the community, eg a doctor or solicitor – it must state that they have seen the original and provide their full name and contact details. We do not accept ISD documents as proof of identity

SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION HOUSEHOLD INCOME SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION HOUSEHOLD INCOME If supporting an application for means-tested student finance, SFW will need to see details of parents’, partner’s or other sponsor’s household (taxable earned and unearned) income and National Insurance number(s). Earned income includes: wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee pay long-term disability benefits received prior to minimum retirement age net earnings from self employment Unearned income includes: interest from savings (only the annual summary is required) benefits and pensions rent from property or a room Only include income received for the following benefits:   Contribution based Employment and Support Allowance Incapacity Benefit (only include the amount received after 28 weeks of incapacity) Bereavement Allowance • Industrial Death Benefit Carer’s Allowance • Jobseeker’s Allowance Statutory Adoption Pay • Statutory Maternity Pay Graduated retirement benefit • Statutory Paternity Pay Statutory Sick Pay • Widowed Parent’s Allowance

2017/18 RESOURCES

RESOURCES Guides Quick guides Short films Website Practitioner site

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