Student Money Guide For new full-time UK undergraduate students

Transcription

1 Student Money Guide For new full-time UK undergraduate students

2 Introduction The University of Leeds is one of the UK's top universities, in the heart of one of the most cosmopolitan, exciting and student friendly cities. Whilst going to university may seem expensive, you can make things easier on yourself by choosing Leeds. The 2006 Royal Bank of Scotland's Student Living Index found that Leeds was the second most cost-effective UK city for undergraduates*. In addition, a degree or higher education qualification will enhance your employability and boost your earning potential. This guide provides an essential overview of student finance arrangements so that you can be clear about the costs of studying at the University and what financial support is available. Essentially you will have two types of expenses at University - tuition fees and your living expenses. These are usually met through a combination of several sources, including government funding. Exactly how much help you get depends on your household income. Please visit for complete details. Part-time students The University of Leeds has several bursaries and funds to which you can apply. You may also be eligible for up to two non-repayable Government grants. Please see mes.htm#support Students applying as disabled If you need additional support to study, this will be covered by the Disabled Students' Allowance. Please see NHS and GSCC funded students Students in the School of Healthcare have their fees paid for by the Department of Health or the GSCC, and may be eligible for a bursary. Please visit or Information on funding may not be relevant to students on NHS or GSCC funded courses, those who are studying part-time or already hold a higher education qualification.

3 The University of Leeds Bursaries and Scholarships Some students will find it more difficult than others to get to university and so at Leeds we are offering a comprehensive range of bursaries and scholarships to help. Leeds Bursary You may be eligible for a Leeds Bursary for each year of your course. The bursaries are for UK undergraduate students who are studying for a degree at Leeds and have a family income of less than 25,500**. They do not have to be paid back. Around 1-in-5 students will automatically receive the Leeds Bursary. You will be automatically assessed for a Leeds Bursary on the basis of household income*** using the information which you provide when you apply to your Local Authority (or equivalent body) for your maintenance grant and loan. Household income (per year) 18,000 or less 18,001-18,500 18,501-19,500 19,501-20,500 20,501-21,500 21,501-22,500 22,501-23,500 23,501-24,500 24,501-25,500 Maintenance grant entitlement 2,750-2,765 2,667-2,750 2,500-2,667 2,334-2,500 2,167-2,334 2,000-2,167 1,834-2,000 1,667-1,834 1,500-1,667 Bursary *Based on average student expenditure on living and housing costs against income from term-time employment **There are some exceptions. Visit for details. Any queries should be directed to financialaid@leeds.ac.uk ***In order that we are informed of your household income when you fill out your loan application form you will need to complete the section giving your Local Authority permission to share details of your financial status with a third party. 1,330 1,200 1,

4 University Scholarships All scholarships and bursaries listed here are only available to new, full-time home-rated students, studying towards their first degree and on a non NHS or GSCC funded course. Some awards recognise outstanding academic achievement while others open up opportunities for students from low income families by helping to cover maintenance costs. Scholarships are payable for each year of your undergraduate degree for which you are liable to pay full tuition fees. Any queries should be directed to ugscholarships@leeds.ac.uk Application forms can be obtained by texting the relevant scholarship keyword, followed by your full name and address, to (messages charged at standard operator rate). Centenary Alumni Scholarship (deadline 4 May 2007), applicants should: > Come from a household with an annual income of 38,330 per year or below > Have or be predicted AAA at A2 or equivalent UCAS points in comparable alternative qualifications The student's personal circumstances will be taken into account as well as the criteria listed. Text keyword: CENTAPP Leeds Scholarship (deadline 4 June 2007), applicants should: Come from a household with an annual income of 17,910 per year or below > Be part of the first generation in your family to enter higher education > Not be in receipt of any other scholarship or bursary The applicant's personal circumstances will be taken into account as well as the criteria listed. Preference will be given to students who are on the Access to Leeds Scheme and other access programmes. The Access to Leeds scheme is an alternative entry scheme offering special consideration to applicants with the potential to succeed at the University. More information can be found at Text keyword: LEEDSAPP Robert Ogden Scholarship (deadline is 2 July 2007), applicants should: > Come from a household with an annual income of 17,910 per year or below > Live within the Barnsley, Doncaster or Rotherham area of South Yorkshire > Be part of the first generation in your family to enter higher education > Not be in receipt of any other scholarship or bursary.

5 The applicant's personal circumstances will be taken into account as well as the criteria listed. Text keyword: OGDENAPP Skipton Building Society Scholarship (deadline is 2 July 2007), applicants should: > Come from a household with an annual income of 19,000 per year or below > Live within the Craven or Richmondshire District Council area in North Yorkshire > Come from a family with little or no tradition of higher education > Be aged under 21 on 1 September The applicant's personal circumstances will be taken into account as well as the criteria listed. Shell Technical Scholarships (deadline is 19 October 2007), applicants should: > Be entering the first year of a full-time fouryear MSc or MEng course in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Geology > Have shown high standards of academic performance. Sports Performance Programme, applicants should be: > An athlete performing at senior national or international standard in their chosen sport e.g. for Great Britain or on World Class Performance Plans. These students can access funding up to 750 as well as a range of other benefits, or > An athlete performing at junior national standard or on World Class Potential Plans (e.g. for Great Britain under-21). These students can access up to 300 and other benefits, or > An athlete performing at regional representative standard. These students could access benefits including free sports user cards and discounted physiotherapy The Sports Performance Programme can be supported by the award from the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). The University is an active member of the TASS programme. Students who receive a TASS award will receive an additional 3,000 per annum. There is no closing date for applications and more information on how to apply to TASS can be found at Myrtle Boultwood Scholarship (deadline is 2 July 2007), applicants should: > Come from a household with an annual income of 17,910 per year or below > Be studying for a first degree in English or Environment. The applicant's personal circumstances will be taken into account as well as the criteria listed. Text keyword: BOULTAPP

6 Funding available to students currently studying at the University There is further financial support available to you once you become a student at Leeds. Access to Learning Fund The Access to Learning Fund is there to help you meet extra, unexpected costs that cannot be met from other sources of income. Any help you receive from the fund is usually nonrepayable. Students are assessed on their individual needs. Visit: General Electric Foundation Scholarships (deadline March 2008), applicants should be: > From a household with an annual income of 17,910 or below > A full-time, home-rated first-year student, studying for their first degree > Undertaking a degree within economics, management, engineering or technology. Successful applicants are encouraged to undertake some form of community/voluntary work. Application forms are available online at and for any other queries please contact ugscholarships@leeds.ac.uk Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust, applicants should: > Be able to demonstrate financial need > Be a full-time, home-rated first-year student, studying for their first degree > Have a parent or spouse who is employed (or was recently employed) as a commercial traveller, chemist or grocer. Successful applicants are encouraged to undertake some form of community/voluntary work. The deadline is mid-october 2007 for the first round of applications and mid-february 2008 for the second round of applications. Application forms are available online at Please direct any queries to ugscholarships@leeds.ac.uk Financial assistance from the Government As a UK student starting your first full-time undergraduate degree course you may be eligible for a government grant, which you do not have to pay back. Your financial support package may include the Maintenance Grant (or alternative Special Support Grant) and Student Loans available from the Government. Grant For students from England and Wales, the grant could be as much as 2,765 per year. How much you will get will depend on your family (household) income. For full details visit

7 Yearly Household Income 17,910 or less 25,000 30,000 38,330 Grant Entitlement 2,765 1, Student loan for tuition fees You can apply for a loan of up to the full cost of your course, 3,070, and it will be paid directly by the Student Loans Company to the University. This loan does not depend on household income. Student loan for maintenance You can apply for a loan to help with basic living costs. The amount depends on where you live. Eligible students can receive 75% of the maximum loan regardless of any other income. The remaining 25% depends on your household income. Maintenance loan entitlement is also affected if you receive a Government grant. An example for a student living away from home is: Loan repayments You only start to repay your loan after you've left university and earn over 15,000 per year. If you've taken out both a student loan for fees and for maintenance you'll repay them together as one combined loan. Repayments are taken directly from your wages through the Inland Revenue - this will be 9% of yearly earnings over 15,000 per year. So if you earn 18,000 your repayments will be around 5.20 a week. Yearly Household Income Grant Student Loan for Maintenance Total Each Year 17,910 or below 30,000 38,330 45,000 2, ,280 3,585 4,460 3,858 6,045 4,510 4,510 3,858

8 What will it cost? Tuition Fees From 2007, tuition fees will be 3,070 per year* for UK students on a full-time undergraduate course at Leeds, but if it's your first degree you won't have to pay anything until after you have left university and are earning over 15,000 a year, providing that you apply for a tuition fee loan. Accommodation and food For your first year if you choose to stay in halls your food and utility bill costs will vary depending on the type of accommodation you choose, catered or non-catered. Catered halls will reduce additional food costs but accommodation contracts may be more expensive than non-catered. Carefully consider what type of accommodation is right for you before you make a choice. Visit for tips on budgeting and visit for more information on accommodation. Study Costs You'll need to consider including provision for books or materials for your course in any budget you set. The costs will vary depending on what you study. Living costs When setting your budget don't forget to consider transport, leisure and social activities. *Increasing each year in line with inflation and subject to Government regulations Further Information Visit for more information on student finance relating to the University Scholarships: Leeds Bursary: financialaid@leeds.ac.uk Tuition Fees: Student Advice Centre: Accommodation Services: Produced by the Student Recruitment Team. Editorial: Terry Hill/Matt Dollery. Design: Conor Walsh. Photography: Justin Slee Whilst the University endeavours to ensure that the information contained in this guide is accurate at the date of publication, it does not accept liability for any inaccuracies. The University reserves the right to change or cancel its courses or services at any time without liability even after students have registered at the University. The University's contract with its students does not confer third party benefits for the purposes of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act The University of Leeds All rights reserved.