THE NEW STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE

Transcription

1 THE NEW STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE What this Guide will cover: Opening a student bank account Student Loans Am I getting the right amount? Student Loans Loan late? Find out what to do! Student Loans Next Year University Bursaries Is there anything I m entitled to? My circumstances have changed What should I do? How much money will you need for University? Budgeting TV Licensing Where to go if things go wrong Useful links

2 Opening a student bank account: Student accounts are available from a number of banks They are NOT all the same Don t assume your current bank will offer you the best account available You have to ask/apply for a student account Student accounts usually entitle you to 0% overdraft facility If you require evidence that you are a student this can be obtained from the Academic Registry To compare accounts visit: REMEMBER: The best freebies don t mean the best accounts! Student loans am I getting the right amount? Don t assume that what you have been given is correct Check to see what funding your course attracts and ensure that correlates to what you have Check with parents to ensure the means test is at a similar level to that stated when completing the online calculator If you are given too much in error, it is likely that Student Loans Company will request this money back at a later date! THINGS TO BE MOST AWARE OF o Make sure you have been means tested! o Make sure you are not receiving the living at home rate if you are in student accommodation! o Are you on an NHS funded course? Ensure you receive the reduced rate Maintenance Loan o If you are overpaid they WILL ask for it back! IF IN DOUBT: Visit the Money Advice and Support Office (see back page for contact details) 1

3 Student loans Late loan? Find out what to do! If your student loan has not yet arrived, it s likely to be for one of the following reasons: You have not enrolled at the University You can enrol either online or by visiting Student Records. NOTE: You need to enrol with the University This does not include visiting the department you are studying, picking up timetables, attending welcome or induction events etc. You have not collected your student ID card Students starting in September 2014 will need to collect their student card in person before they are able to receive student funding. To obtain your Student ID Card you must be enrolled and provide proof of identity (e.g. a Passport, UK ID card or other Photo ID). You can pick up your ID card from the Marquee during arrivals weekend, from Fulton House during Fresher s Week and from the library during term. If you did not send in a colour passport-sized photo before arriving, to produce your card, you will need to drop off your photo with your name and student number on the back. Student Finance signed declaration If you applied for your Student Loans and Grants online, you will need to have sent your signed declaration to the Student Loans Company before any funding can be approved. See pg 3 for instructions on how to print your online declaration. Late Funding Application If you applied for your funding late (anytime after the end of June), your application may not have been assessed by your funding provider. See Page 5 for an idea of how long applications can take to process. Change of Circumstances If Swansea University was not your first choice or you came through clearing you will need to update the university you are actually attending on the student finance online portal. Please visit the Office with a copy of your original financial notification (letter from student finance stating how much you are entitled to) to ensure this can be updated ASAP. Accommodation or Tuition Fees are due but loan still not through? For tuition fees contact the Finance Department directly on For Accommodation Fees speak with Residential Services directly on or Always contact the Money Advice and Support Office who can support you to ensure you get your funding through as quickly as possible You may be able to arrange more time to pay or initiate a suitable payment plan 2

4 How to print your online declaration: Log into your online student finance account Click view correspondence which can be found on the sitemap menu as shown below: If your application has been assessed, there will be an option on this page which states financial notification 2014/15 click on it Your online declaration will usually be at the end of this document Print and send to SLC (address on pg 1 of declaration) ASAP Contact the Money Advice and Support Office on or by at moneydoctors@swansea.ac.uk 3

5 How do I pay my rent to Residential Services? Your accommodation fees can be paid in advance for the whole year or termly. Termly payment dates: Term 1 16 October 2014 Term 2 29 January 2015 Term 3 14 May 2015 PAYMENT TERMLY / DEADLINE FURTHER INFORMATION METHOD ANNUAL Direct debit Termly 01 October 2014 Complete a direct debit form available at Student intranet Return your completed direct debit form to Residential Services Annual 16 October 2014 Go to: Tick the accommodation checkbox Online banking Annual 16 October 2014 Bank : Lloyds Bank Plc, Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3AP Sort code: Account number: Reference: ACCOM followed by your student number (e.g. ACCOM you must include your student number in the payment reference; if you don t, we won t know you ve paid!) Cash / Cheque Annual 16 October 2014 We accept cash or cheques at Residential Services reception in Penmaen Residence on campus. Bank transfer Annual 16 October 2014 Complete a bank transfer notification form available at Termly To clear by payment date. Check with your bank how long payments take to go through. Bank: Lloyds Bank Plc, Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3AP. Sort code: Account number: Reference: ACCOM followed by your student number (e.g. ACCOM you must include your student number in the payment reference; if you don t, we won t know you ve paid!) Contact the Money Advice and Support Office on or by at moneydoctors@swansea.ac.uk 4

6 How long does an assessment take? The timeline below should help give you an idea where you are in the assessment process. (This timeline is intended as a guide and is not an official representation of the student loan assessment process). Day 1 Apply to your Student Funding provider for student loans and grants. Send all the relevant evidence that is requested by funding provider. It is advised to send any information recorded delivery ensuring receipts are kept safe. 12 weeks later It can usually take up to 12 weeks for your application to be assessed. If the evidence is incorrect or missing, a letter will be sent requesting what is required. Once your application is assessed you will be sent an 'online declaration' through the post along with a 'financial notification' which states how much funding you will receive. 2 weeks later Once you receive the 'financial notification' check the amount you are receiving and keep this document safe as you may need it throughout the year. Sign and send your 'online declaration' to the SLC ASAP - even if you think the amount you have been awarded is incorrect. 2 weeks later It is likely to take around 2 weeks for the SLC to receive and process your online declaration. 1st year students need their National Insurance Numbers (NINO's) confirming by HMRC. They are sent each Wednesday and the SLC will be informed if it has been confirmed a week later. Arrivals/ Welcome Week Enrol online as soon as you can Collect your student ID card You need to do this to ensure the university can confirm your attendance to release your funding. 1 week later Once all steps are completed - it can still take up to a week for payments to actually clear into your bank account. Make sure you budget so your funding lasts until the 2nd instalment is paid in January. If you are still unsure what is happening with your student loan: Contact Student Finance Wales on or Student Finance England on Visit the Money Advice and Support Office (bring your Customer Reference Number) If you have no immediate funds for food and essential living costs you can contact the Money Advice and Support Office (MASO) to apply for an emergency grant. 5

7 University Bursaries is there anything I m entitled to? Income-Related Bursary: Requirements (Other T&C s apply): Household Income below 30,000 Course started after September 2012 Student must be entitled to means tested funding from SLC (i.e. not NHS) Priority Subject Bursary: 1500 Requirements (Other T&C s apply): Requirements as above (Income Related Bursary) Studying: Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Bioscience (including Biochemistry and Genetics), Physics, Modern Foreign Languages and Law KEY FACTS: The amount awarded is for the duration of your course and not per academic year. Students must meet the relevant income threshold each academic year to continue receiving the bursary (e.g. if your household income is below in year 1 you receive the year 1 element, if it goes beyond that level in year 2 you do not receive the year 2 element. Not available to 2 nd degree students or those who repeat years. Paid in instalments, 1st instalment is in February, 2 nd instalment is in May. Award letters will usually be sent by November each academic year. For more information visit: or contact Student Records on Excellence Bursaries / Merit Scholarships: 3000 Excellence Bursary: o Achieve AAA at A-level (or equivalent) 2000 Merit Scholarship: o Achieve AAB at A-level (or equivalent) KEY FACTS: Paid across year 1 and 2 of course. 2 nd year instalment subject to student maintaining a 60% average across all first year modules. Should be paid automatically once you have enrolled on your course. For more information please visit or contact Admissions on

8 My circumstances have changed, what should I do? Change of Circumstance Who to tell? How to tell them? Withdrawal/Suspension Institution You must inform your department of your intention to Suspend or Withdraw from University and complete the necessary paperwork; as part of the process the University will inform the SLC of your amended status, your last date of attendance and reduced Tuition Fee costs (if applicable). Income change of 15% or more Funding Provider If your income decreases by 15% or more over the current financial year compared to the year of assessment you can complete a current year income assessment form to be reassessed on this lower income Name Funding Provider You should write to your Funding Provider to advise of your change of name, supplying evidence to provide this Log onto your Student Finance account or contact your Funding Provider to update your contact details Contact Details ( , Funding Provider telephone, address) Tuition Fee amount Funding Provider If the amount of loan you applied for is incorrect please advise the Student Record Office who will arrange for updated information to be sent to the SLC on your behalf. If you are applying for a Tuition Fee Loan for the first time please contact your funding provider for a Tuition Fee Loan request form. Bank details Funding Provider Contact your Funding Provider to update your bank details Change of course Institution The university will inform the SLC of your change of course once your transfer of studies form has been submitted Change of Institution Institution Log onto your Student Finance account or contact your Funding Provider to update your University details. If your Student Finance details have not been updated to your new University by enrolment bring in your original paperwork (those assessed against your old University) in order for the University to notify the SLC of your registration and new course/university details. How much money will you need for University? The key to this depends on how much you spend For a rough idea of the cost of living in Swansea visit Ensure you know how much funding you will be receiving and budget appropriately (see below) Budgeting Create a budget ensuring you spend less than you have coming in Check out our useful links for online budget planners on our Money Doctors pages: Ask yourself do I need it? and can I afford it? before making purchases Pick up our Budgeting leaflet for more advice and support TV Licence If you re watching live TV, including online, you ll need to be covered by a TV Licence no matter what device you use. Double check to see if you need one at You can pay it all at once with your credit or debit card ( for colour) or spread the cost with Direct Debit or a cash payment card You may even be able to get a refund during the summer holidays, so you ll only need to pay for the TV you watch for the rest of the year Remember it is illegal not to have one and large fines can be imposed Student Loans the future Next year s application should be made as early as possible, & don t rely on them contacting you The application process usually opens around March You can either apply online via the Student Finance websites, or download the form (PR1) and forward the completed form by post Remember use recorded delivery for all forms and documents that you send by post 7

9 Where to go if things go wrong? Swansea University Hardship Fund: I have mounting debts that are spiralling out of control If you are struggling financially you can also apply to the Swansea University Hardship Fund Intended to help students with financial difficulties There is no guarantee of an award Contact the Money Advice and Support Office for more information on Free debt advice is widely available Don t bury your head in the sand Contact CAB, National Debtline or CCCS for advice and support If you are struggling financially or would like advice on any moneyrelated issue you can contact the Money Advice and Support Office: My bank keeps charging me for going overdrawn/ going over my limit Useful Links Budget Planners Money Advice and information Speak to your bank to agree an increase in your limit if you think you are likely to need it If you are regularly going over your limit revisit your budget Android app: Money Wise iphone app: Best Budget Telephone: MoneyDoctors@ swansea.ac.uk Find us on Comparison Websites Vouchers, Discounts & Freebies Recipes and Cheap Eats 8

10 For more information, please contact the Money Advice and Support Office: Money Advice and Support Office Student Support Services Keir Hardie Building Swansea University Swansea SA2 8PP SwanseaUni MASO This leaflet is also available in Welsh and alternate formats such as Braille, large print etc. For further information please contact: Student Support Services Reception on