1. WELCOME TO NOWER HILL HIGH SCHOOL HIGHER EDUCATION EVENING 2014

2. After A Levels……………. University Gap Year / Work Experience Employment Apprenticeship

3. Complete the UCAS Form Personal Details Deadlines: Oxbridge/Medicine/Dentistry - now Rest: Friday before half term BUT they can be handed in BEFORE

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. 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. Funding Issues Universities get fined for any extra students they take with grades below ABB. So if your grades are below this the universities are unlikely to take you if you don’t meet your offer 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.

7. There are no good universities/courses in clearing Following changes to university admissions, Russell Group universities were able to take on more students through Clearing than ever. The Government's decision to further lift restrictions meant universities and colleges could recruit as many students achieving ABB at A-level as they wished. Only six Russell Group universities didn't offer any courses through Clearing - including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and LSE

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

9. All the best universities are in London.

10. Complete the UCAS Form PERSONAL STATEMENTS REFERENCES

11. How can parents help? Get involved with their research Show interest and support Trust their child’s decision & Teacher’s 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. Interviews Interview practice

14. Apply for student finance? The conditions you have to meet to qualify for student finance concern: Personal eligibility (3yrs resident) Your course The university or college you plan to go to (publicly funded and in UK)

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

16. 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 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%

17. 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 72% of this loan, the remaining 28% 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

18. What could you get? Full-time student Loan for courses from September 2014 Living at homeUp to £4,418 Living away from home, outside London Up to £5,555 Living away from home, in LondonUp to £7,751 You spend a year of a UK course studying abroad Up to £6,600

19. Bursaries and scholarships Extra financial help from your university or college Awarded for all sorts of reasons, not always financial Check on your university’s website Worthwhile researching! NHS Bursaries – check if your course is eligible

20. How to apply Go on line http://studentfinance- yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/ http://studentfinance- yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/ Y13s can apply now!

21. 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