UCAS – Next Steps David Seaton

2 Mid October Deadline for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Oxbridge applications Mid January Closing date for other applications Mid FebruaryStart of UCAS Extra Mid August Results Day July - SeptemberClearing Late Sept – Early Oct University term begins UCAS Calendar

Once you have submitted your UCAS application, you will begin to receive decisions from universities: Conditional Offer Unconditional Offer Unsuccessful Application Withdrawal Interview Your Offers

Responding to Offers When you have heard from all universities, you need to make your final choices: Firm acceptance (CF or UF) - first preference Insurance acceptance (CI or UI) - second preference Decline (D) Completed through UCAS Track

Courses that interview: //Teaching //Nursing //Art & Design //Performing Arts //Medicine //all Oxbridge courses… …but universities are increasingly using interview for selection. Courses that interview: //Teaching //Nursing //Art & Design //Performing Arts //Medicine //all Oxbridge courses… …but universities are increasingly using interview for selection. Interviews

Your Choices Never accept a place at a university you have not visited Open Day - a general overview of the university Applicant Visit Day - more specific information given on the courses Campus Tours – if you cannot make the Open Day/AVD Make sure that you take a tour of the campus, look inside accommodation, and ask to be shown your subject specific facilities

What if I get no offers?  UCAS Extra (Now)  Enter Clearing (August)  Resit current course

Accommodation The university will send you an application form for Halls of Residence You will be asked for preferences…look at the accommodation in person before you decide Each university has different forms and deadlines for application - contact institutions directly for more information

SESSION CONTENTS Section 1 – The Student Finance Package Section 2 – Student Loan Repayments Section 3 – Applications & Information Section 4 - Managing Your Money Questions & Comments

TUITION FEES & LOANS Universities and colleges* can charge new full-time students up to £9,000 per year (£6,750 part-time) for tuition fees Eligible students won’t have to pay any tuition fees up front A Tuition Fee Loan is available to cover the fee charged by the university or college (Up to £6,000 for approved courses at private providers) Tuition Fee Loan doesn’t depend on household income SLC pay any Tuition Fee Loan directly to your university or college The loan is repayable, but only when your income is over £21,000

MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Maintenance support is available to help with your living costs while in higher education Two main types of support are available, Maintenance Loan and Maintenance Grant The Maintenance Loan is repayable and all eligible students are entitled to receive some funding The amount of loan available will depend on where you live and study Maintenance support is paid directly into your bank account each term

MAINTENANCE LOAN 2014/15 MAXIMUM RATES Where you Live & StudyMaximum Loan Available Parental Home Live at home £4,418 Elsewhere Live away from home and study outside of London £5,555 London Live away from home and study in London £7,751 Overseas Study overseas as part of a UK course £6,600 Additional loan is available for each extra week of study for students attending their course beyond 30 weeks

MAINTENANCE GRANT The Maintenance Grant doesn’t have to be repaid How much grant you can get depends on your household income (100% means tested) Household income thresholds for 2014/2015: Household Income: Up to £25,000 Full Grant of £3,387 Household Income: Up to £42,620 Partial Grant

COMBINED MAINTENANCE SUPPORT LIVING AWAY FROM HOME, OUTSIDE LONDON Household Income Maintenance Grant Maintenance Loan Total £25,000 & under£3,387£3,862£7,249 £30,000£2,441£4,335£6,776 £35,000£1,494£4,808£6,302 £40,000£547£5,282£5,829 £42,620£50£5,530£5,580 £42,875£0£5,555 £50,000£0£4,836 £62,132 & over£0£3,610 You can get a quick estimate of your student finance entitlement using the calculator on gov.uk/studentfinancegov.uk/studentfinance

BURSARIES & SCHOLARSHIPS Many universities and colleges offer financial support to their students through bursaries and scholarships Bursaries: Linked to personal circumstances and often, household income Awards can include fee waivers or cash Scholarships: Can be linked to academic results or outstanding ability in an area such as sport, music or art Can be subject specific and are limited in numbers Check university websites and ask at open days for information on bursaries & scholarships

//National Scholarship Programme (NSP) // Centenary Scholarship // Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship // Sports Scholarships //National Scholarship Programme (NSP) // Centenary Scholarship // Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship // Sports Scholarships University of Bedfordshire Scholarships/ Bursaries

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT EXTRA SUPPORT MAY BE AVAILABLE IF YOU: Have children or adults dependent on you Have a disability, long-term health condition, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty Study an NHS or Social Work course NHS courses include; Nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, radiography, the later stages of medicine and dentistry For more information on eligibility and applications for NHS support go to:

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS AN OVERVIEW You won’t make repayments until your income is over £21,000 a year gross (before tax) Full-time students will be due to start repaying in the April after graduating from/leaving their higher education course You’ll repay 9% of your income over £21,000 and if you’re employed deductions will be made from your pay through the HMRC tax system If your income falls to £21,000 or below your repayments will stop Any outstanding loan balance will be written off 30 years after entering repayment

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS THE FIGURES Income each year before tax Income from which 9% is deducted Monthly Repayment (Approx) £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

STUDENT FINANCE APPLICATIONS KEY MESSAGES –GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME Apply online at gov.uk/studentfinance as soon as possible to make sure your student finance is in place for the start of your course Register on UCAS and we can let you know when it’s time to apply You don’t need a confirmed place at university or college to apply for student finance Make a note of your account log-in details & keep them safe You can change your details online before starting your course Agree to share information from your application, this helps apply for many bursaries and some scholarships

STUDENT FINANCE APPLICATIONS INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE Before starting the application, you should have the following to hand: Passport - SLC can check identity using valid UK passport details for most students University and course details – You can share this information online, directly from you UCAS application Bank account details National Insurance number Parent’s or partner’s National Insurance number and income details For most applications, SLC verify income from these NI numbers with no need to send any documents, unless we ask for them

GOV.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO APPLY

THE STUDENT ROOM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & RESOURCES

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOW SFE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

UNISTATS COMPARE UNI’S COURSES AND FEES

MANAGING YOUR MONEY HINTS & TIPS TO CONSIDER Before starting in higher education, think about the costs you are likely to face and how to manage your money: Plan a budget – and (try to) stick to it! Ask questions and get any advice you need Check out student bank accounts and NUS Extra cards Try to avoid taking credit cards, store cards or pay day loans!! If you need financial support and advice once you are at university or college, staff there will be able to help

David Seaton Student Engagement & Recruitment Any questions? University of Bedfordshire applicant days: //1 March 2014 – Bedford campus //8 March 2014 – Luton campus