1. WELCOME TO NOWER HILL HIGH SCHOOL UCAS EVENING 2015

2. 2015 Destinations Data

3. Complete the UCAS Form Deadline: Friday before half term BUT they can be handed in BEFORE NB Oxbridge/Medicine/Dentistry - Friday

4. Complete the UCAS Form UNIVERSITY CHOICES Location and distance Campus / non campus Cost of living Social life Live at home or away Course Facilities

5. Complete the UCAS Form Predicted Grades

6. Complete the UCAS Form PERSONAL STATEMENTS REFERENCES

7. Myth: It’s fine to have both my firm and insurance choices at the same grades. From ‘Which University’ Website: “Your insurance choice needs to have lower entry requirements” According to UCAS, 42% of applicants hold an insurance choice with conditions which are harder or equal to the conditions for their first choice. This means that if you miss your grades, you won’t have an offer to fall back on. It’s not an ‘insurance’ choice if it doesn’t offer you a back-up. Results Day Results day is emotional enough without the extra pressure of decisions about which University to go to now. Having an insurance place that is realistic allows students to have that safety net and have confidence that they will be going to x or y for definite.

8. Myth: It is possible to say which is the best university in the country.

9. Myth: All the best universities are in London.

10. Interviews Interview practice

11. How can parents help? Get involved with students’ research Show interest and support Trust your child’s decision & teachers’ predictions Personal statements Interviews – lifts/train fares Help to foster financial responsibility Ensure they study!

12. Common concerns……. Guidance through the application process Competition for places Living alone Fees Making realistic choices

13. Apply for student finance? Whether you qualify for student finance depends on: your university or college (not privately funded) your course (not Art Foundation) if you’ve studied a higher education course before your nationality or residency status (3yrs resident)

14. Main finance available Tuition fee loan Maintenance loan Maintenance grant Special Support Grant Bursaries and scholarships

15. Tuition fee loan Fees can be up to £9000 per year and you can get a loan to cover the full fee Paid directly to your university Doesn’t have to be paid back until you have left your course and are earning over £21,000 pa Can pay back at any time Interest charges: IncomeInterest rate While you’re studying Rate of inflation (Retail Price Index) plus 3% £21,000 or lessRate of inflation £21,000 to £41,000Rate of inflation plus up to 3% Over £41,000Rate of inflation plus 3%

16. Maintenance Loan Helps to cover living costs throughout the academic year Any student eligible for student finance is also available for the Maintenance Loan Everyone can get up to 65% of this loan, the remainder is dependent on household income Paid in 3 instalments directly into your bank account Paid back once you have left your course and are earning over £21,000

17. Maintenance Loan What could you get? Full-time studentLoan for courses from September 2015 Living at homeUp to £4,565 Living away from home, outside London Up to £5,740 Living away from home, in London Up to £8,009 You spend a year of a UK course studying abroad Up to £6,820

18. Bursaries and scholarships Extra financial help from your university or college (awarded for various reasons) There is extra funding for: medical students social work students teacher training students NHS Bursaries – check if your course is eligible Find out more and search for scholarships at www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk

19. How to apply Go on line http://studentfinance- yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/ http://studentfinance- yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/ You don’t need to finalise your uni choices before applying

20. How do I get my money? Once you have applied, you will be sent a Financial Notification letter and a Payment Schedule When you register at your university or college, take your Payment Schedule letter Your university will confirm to Student Finance that you are on the course Your student finance will then be released