Student Finance Information Booklet The University of Liverpool L69 7ZX Switchboard T: +44 (0)151 794 2000 Enquiries and Applications T: +44 (0)151 794 5927 www.liverpool.ac.uk Student Finance Information Booklet 2015
01 Contents Introduction 01 Government Funding 02 Tuition Fees for Home/EU Undergraduates 05 University of Liverpool Scholarships and Bursaries 06 NHS Students 10 Repayments 12 Managing your Living Costs 13 Support Available 15 More Information 16 Disclaimer 17 Our friendly, experienced Student Services staff can provide you with information, advice and guidance on finance and a range of other issues to help you get the most out of your time at the University of Liverpool. Dr Paula Harrison Woods Head of Student Services Choosing a university will be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. At the University of Liverpool, we offer you an excellent all-round student experience in a renowned Russell Group University environment, and we hope to give you the opportunity to build the foundations for a successful career. You already know that you do not have to pay your fees up front, but there is also a wide range of financial support available for students starting their studies in 2015. It can be complicated to understand, so this guide sets out the full range of financial support available, as well as advice on budgeting and sources of further help. As government policy in the funding of universities is often subject to change, we strongly recommend you also visit liverpool.ac.uk/money for the most up-to-date position on all financial matters.
02 03 Government Funding The government offers financial support for students resident in England via the range of loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries detailed below. Students resident in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have a different range of financial packages open to them, so check the websites detailed on page 16 for the latest details. Loans The government offers two types of loans, one to cover tuition fees, the other to cover living or maintenance costs. Both of these loans have to be paid back once you have graduated, but you won t have to start your repayments until you are earning over 21,000 and if your income drops below this amount repayments stop. Tuition fees loan As a Home/EU student, the government will lend you the money to cover your tuition fees for your first degree, so you do not have to pay your tuition fees in advance or during your time at university. If you take out this loan, then the government (through Student Finance England and Student Finance Wales) pays the tuition fees directly to the University. You only start to repay the loan when you have graduated, and only then when you are earning over 21,000 (see page 12 for further details on repayment). If you have not repaid the loan 30 years after you have left the University, then any remaining debt will be written off. Alternatively, it is possible to pay for all your tuition fees in advance. Student loan for maintenance For Home Students, as well as the tuition fee loan you are also eligible for a loan to help with maintenance costs (ie living costs such as accommodation, travel, food etc). This loan is paid in three instalments, directly into your bank account. The exact amount available to you depends on: your household income (ie how much your parents or carers earn). All students are entitled to 65% of the maintenance loan, the additional 35% being dependent on your household income (means-tested) whether or not you intend to live at home as a student whether you will be studying abroad as part of your programme whether you are studying for a programme subsidised by the NHS (see pages 10-11) whether you are in receipt of the non repayable grant (see page 03). 2015/16 Maintenance loan rates Minimum Maximum entitlement entitlement (non-means (means-tested) tested) Living at home 2,967 4,565 Living away from home (outside of London) 3,731 5,740 Living and studying abroad as part of a UK course 4,433 6,820 Non repayable financial help (maintenance grant) Currently, students resident in England can apply for a non repayable grant of up to 3,387. Again, the amount you are eligible for will depend on your household income, as per the table below. If you are eligible for this grant it will be paid in three instalments directly into your bank account. If you are eligible to receive the non repayable grant, the government will reduce the maximum amount of student loan for maintenance that you are entitled to. Household Income Maintenance grant 25,000 or less 3,387 30,000 2,441 35,000 1,494 40,000 547 42,620 50 Over 42,620 0 How to apply for government funding Please visit www.gov.uk/student-finance and follow the online application process. Alternatively you can call the Student Finance England customer helpline on T: 0300 100 0607, EU students call T: 0141 243 3570. We recommend that you start your application for government funding early, rather than waiting for any offers of a university place and that you submit your application no later than the end of May in the year you hope to start your programme.
04 05 Tuition Fees for Home/EU Undergraduates Other government support Disabled students Students with disabilities may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance to help you with the costs of studying your programme. We recommend that you apply for this funding as soon as possible, rather than waiting until you have confirmed your place with us. The DSA1 form is available at www.gov.uk/student-finance. Our Disability Support Team can help you with your application, contact them on T: 0151 794 5117 or E: disteam@liverpool.ac.uk. Students with children Students with dependants may be eligible for additional financial support. This support may include additional grants such as the Parents Learning Allowance, the Adult Dependants Grant and the Childcare Grant which is used towards paying childcare costs. Students should apply for these grants while making their main application for funding (see page 03). Should you need further advice you can contact the University s Financial Support Team on T: 0151 794 5861 or E: fst@liverpool. ac.uk. For further details on the Financial Support Team see page 15. University Hardship Fund The fund can be used in cases of emergency for unexpected crises and may help where a student is considering leaving higher education because of financial problems. The fund may also be used to cover specific course or living costs, other than tuition fees, which are not already being met by statutory or other sources of funding. NHS Bursaries Students on programmes funded by the NHS are eligible to apply for a specific NHS bursary (see pages 10-11). Undergraduate fees 2015 For 2015/16 entry the University of Liverpool is charging 9,000 for all eligible undergraduate programmes, except those detailed below. Students will not have to pay tuition fees up front, and can get a loan to cover the cost of tuition, which they will only start to repay the April after leaving University and only when they are earning over 21,000 a year. 9,000 Fee exceptions Foundation programmes The fee for the Foundation Year of specified courses based at Carmel College, St Helens and Birkenhead Sixth Form College for entry 2015/16 is 5,000. Programmes with a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad The fee for the industrial placement year, where students who are liable to pay the 9,000 fee spend a full year working in industry, is 1,800. The fee for students who are liable to pay the full 9,000 tuition fee spend a full year abroad is 1,350. Programmes studied on a part-time basis For all eligible undergraduate courses, students studying on a part-time basis will be charged pro-rata to the maximum allowable fee of 9,000. No part-time students will be charged more than 6,750 in an academic year, in line with the fees regulations. Financial support for part-time students will be available on a pro-rata basis. Programmes funded by the NHS Currently, the following programmes are funded by the NHS and therefore will not be subject to the 9,000 fee: BSc Diagnostic Radiography BN Nursing BSc Occupational Therapy BSc Orthoptics BSc Physiotherapy BSc Radiotherapy Combined Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy. This also applies to medical and dental students on the final year of a five-year course. More information for students on NHS programmes can be found on pages 10-11. Programme specific additional costs Some programmes which include compulsory fieldwork or additional elements such as the Pilots Licence in Aerospace Engineering may incur additional costs. Where this is the case, those costs will be outlined at on-campus events such as the University Open Days or Applicant Discovery Days. Information on any additional costs related to your programme is also available online at www.liverpool.ac.uk/ money
06 07 University of Liverpool Scholarships and Bursaries The Liverpool Bursary Around a third of the University s students will benefit from the Liverpool Bursary, depending on their household income. Household income under 25,000 If you are a UK student whose household income is less than 25,000 you will be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary of 2,000 for each year of study. This can be received as either a cash bursary, or as a fee waiver. Household income between 25,001-42,620 If you are a UK student whose household income is between 25,001 and 42,620 you will be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary of 1,000 for each year of study. The Liverpool Bursary can be taken as either a fee waiver, or as a cash bursary. The Liverpool Excellence Scholarship Funded by generous donations from our alumni, for 2015 we are delighted to introduce our new Liverpool Excellence Scholarship. If you are a UK student and achieve AAA at A level or equivalent, and your household income is 42,620 or below, you will receive a scholarship of 2,000 per year. This is in addition to other support which may be available to you, including our Liverpool Bursary. NHS students Students studying on an NHS-funded programme will not be eligible for the Liverpool Bursary or Liverpool Excellence Scholarship. For UK students a means tested bursary is offered by the NHS to assist with living expenses and study costs, along with reduced rate student loans. For more information please see pages 10-11. Total support available based on household income Household Government Government The Liverpool Total income grant (non living costs Liverpool Excellence support repayable) loan Bursary Scholarship with/ (Students without achieving AAA Excellence or equivalent) Scholarship Under 25,000 3,387 4,047 2,000 2,000 11,434 / 9,434 30,000 2,441 4,520 1,000 2,000 9,961 / 7,961 35,000 1,494 4,993 1,000 2,000 9,487 / 7,487 40,000 547 5,467 1,000 2,000 9,014 / 7,014 42,620 50 5,715 1,000 2,000 8,765 / 6,765 42,875* 0 5,740 0 0 5,740 50,000 0 4,998 0 0 4,998 62,143 and over 0 3,731 0 0 3,731 * This is the maximum income at which the full Government living costs loan is payable. Note this table is based on students living away from home and studying at the University of Liverpool. It does not include the fee loan available to cover Tuition Fees. See www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance for more detail on UK government funding.
08 How do I apply? You do not need to apply for the Liverpool Bursary. By submitting an online application for government grants or loans, you consent to share your information with the University. This allows our Student Fees section to assess your eligibility. You will be notified if you are eligible to receive this bursary. Sports Scholarships The Elite Athlete Scheme is designed to help talented athletes combine excellence in academic study and sporting performance by offering the flexibility and support required to compete at the highest level. Scholarships of up to 3,000 a year are available to student athletes who have already established themselves as a junior or senior international, or are playing at national or regional representative level. Once an award has been offered, a specific package of support will be agreed between the athlete and the University s Performance Sports Development Officer. For more information and an application form visit www.liverpool.ac.uk/elite-athlete-scheme Care Leavers The Care Leavers Opportunity Bursary scheme offers funds to support students who have been in public care. The bursary is worth 3,000 per year and can be taken either as a cash award or as a fee waiver. To be eligible for the award you need to meet the following criteria: minimum of six months in Local Authority care in the last 10 years (prior to making your application) under 28 years of age. Applicants to the University of Liverpool will be contacted in August once an offer of a place has been confirmed with further details and a request to provide a letter from the leaving care team, designated teacher or social worker, or a copy of our pro forma signed by any of the above. If you require further information on the bursary please contact Caroline O Connell in the Financial Support Team at E: c.a.oconnell@liverpool.ac.uk NB Students studying on an NHS-funded programme will not be eligible for the Care Leavers Opportunity Bursary. 09 For details of all our available scholarships and bursaries please visit www.liv.ac.uk/ study/undergraduate/finance/scholarships
10 11 NHS Students Currently, the following programmes are funded by the Department of Health for Home/EU students and therefore will not be subject to the 9,000 fee: BSc Diagnostic Radiography BN Nursing BSc Occupational Therapy BSc Orthoptics BSc Physiotherapy BSc Radiotherapy Combined Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy. The Department of Health also covers the tuition fees of medical and dental students on the final year of a five year programme. Graduate entry programmes Currently, students on the four year Graduate Entry medical and dental programmes will have to self-fund their first year tuition fees to the value of 3,465. In their second, third and fourth year, the Department of Health will cover this 3,465 contribution. Tuition fee loans to cover the remaining 5,535 will be available in all years of study. NHS student grants This new package of support will provide new students with a small non-means tested grant, a means-tested bursary and a reduced rate non-means-tested loan. All new eligible students will be eligible for a 1,000 grant. They will also be eligible for a means-tested bursary and a maintenance loan. Different rates of means-tested bursaries and loans will apply according to where a student lives and studies, whether in London, outside of London, or with their parents. The following tables show typical support available to students on a 30-week course or a 45-week course. Studying and living Non-means- Means-tested Non-meansduring term time tested grant bursary tested maintenance (maximum) loan Students studying up to 30 weeks each year will receive Outside London but in 1,000 2,591 2,324 England (or UK for medical and dental students) and living in student/rented accommodation/your own home Anywhere in England 1,000 2,163 1,744 (or UK for medical and dental students) and living with your parents Students studying 45 weeks or more each year will receive Outside London but in 1,000 4,395 2,324 England (or UK for medical and dental students) and living in student/rented accommodation/your own home Anywhere in England 1,000 3,351 1,744 (or UK for medical and dental students) and living with your parents Help with maintenance costs Please note the maintenance loan is reduced in the final year of study to 1,811 if you are living outside London and 1,324 for students who live with their parents whilst studying. In addition to the basic bursary, students can apply for a number of additional allowances if they meet specific criteria. These allowances provide support to disabled students and additional support for students with dependent adults and children. Students can also claim help with travel costs to their placements, if they incur additional costs to those incurred when travelling to their university. More information for students on NHS programmes can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students
12 13 Repayments Managing your Living Costs You will only start repaying any government loans (see pages 02-03) in the April after you leave university, if you are in work and earning over 21,000 per year. Repayments will be made at 9% of income above this 21,000 threshold so the amount repaid each month will depend on your earnings. If for any reason your income falls below 21,000, your repayments will be suspended. Payments are straightforward as they will be deducted automatically from your pay through the tax system (PAYE). If you have not paid off your loan after 30 years all outstanding repayments will be written off. Interest rates The interest rates you pay on your student loans will be based on your income. The rate of inflation is calculated at the Retail Price Index. Your income per year No salary while you re studying After you are liable to repay and have an income of under 21,000 After you are liable to repay and have an income of 21,000-41,000 After you are liable to repay and have an income of over 41,000 Interest rate on your loan Rate of inflation plus 3 per cent Rate of inflation Rate of inflation plus a rate of up to 3 per cent depending on your salary Rate of inflation plus 3 per cent (Source www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance, January 2014) Accommodation For most students the largest expense they will have is accommodation. Costs can vary quite a lot depending on whether you choose to live in University accommodation, private halls or a private house. Students who choose to live in University accommodation or private halls of residence will normally have utility bills included in the cost of their rent. University accommodation You can find the latest University of Liverpool accommodation costs at www.liverpool. ac.uk/accommodation. At time of going to print these range from 115.85-192.85 per week depending on facilities/catering. Private accommodation Self-catered private sector housing and halls are plentiful in Liverpool and prices currently range from 63.50-200 per week. Self-contained flats start from 80 for one bedroom up to 180 per week excluding bills. Traditional private houses can be found for as little as 58 per week per room outside the city centre, increasing to as much as 110 per week in the city centre. Students choosing to live in a private house may have to budget for utility bills separately. Liverpool Student Homes, an organisation set up in partnership across the Liverpool universities advertises approved private accommodation in the region, as well as advice and guidance on choosing student accommodation. Find out more at www.liverpoolstudenthomes.org Approximate living costs for an undergraduate student We estimate that you will need between 6,500-8,500 per year for your daily living expenses including accommodation, food and local travel. Of course this will vary according to your lifestyle. Example of approximate monthly costs for an undergraduate student As an undergraduate medical student, Sarah spent around 6,000 in her first year. She was in Liverpool for around 38 weeks and her monthly budget was as follows: Hall fees including two meals a day: 525 Bus pass: 339 per year Study costs (photocopying, printing etc): 20-40 Mobile phone: 20 Laundry: 16 Food and entertainment costs: 40-120. Sarah also spent 125 on an annual sports centre membership and bought a number of key text books for 100 at the beginning of the year. Please be aware that all costs are approximate and vary depending on a student s lifestyle and choice of accommodation.
14 Support Available 15 Working while you study If you are looking to boost your income whilst you study, or improve your CV and skills, the Careers & Employability Service provides access to an online jobs database of part-time, full-time, voluntary and work experience opportunities. As well as help on finding part-time work, the service offers a comprehensive careers support programme including advice and guidance on: Career options Work experience Vacation work Graduate opportunities Making effective applications. We recommend that part-time work is kept to a maximum of 15 hours per week so as not to interfere with academic study. Find out more at www.liverpool.ac.uk/careers Staff in the Careers & Employability Service are friendly and helpful. They are concerned about the development of students and I really appreciated the advice they gave me regarding my future career. Jingjing Wang Bsc Mathematics with Finance The Financial Support Team (FST) The Financial Support Team (FST) is part of Student Support Services and provides support and advice to both current and prospective students on a range of financial matters. The Team offer the following services: Discretionary financial help through the University Hardship Fund for students experiencing financial hardship Advice on statutory funding for fulland part-time undergraduates Liaise with funding bodies regarding problems with funding Debt advice service liaising with creditors if necessary Advice on funding for EEA migrant workers and other EU students who may qualify for UK funding Eligibility and calculation of welfare benefits Support for both current and prospective students who have been in Local Authority Care prior to starting University. If you have any previous higher education study, or you are planning to withdraw, suspend, transfer or repeat part of your programme, your entitlement to statutory funding may be affected and you are encouraged to contact the team for advice on your current and future funding. In addition the team will be running various events and activities during the year aimed at improving budgeting; students can also contact the team to arrange a one-to-one budgeting session looking at maximising income and minimising expenditure. Budgeting tips Make sure you are getting all of the funding you are entitled to if you are not sure visit the FST who will check your entitlement to funding Don t be tempted to rush out and spend all of your student loan/grant at the start of the term remember most students funding is paid in three large chunks and must last until your next payment Set up arrangements to pay your rent first this will be by far your biggest expense Think about your expenditure for the whole year include things like field trips and one off expenses like Christmas Look at gaining part-time employment visit the Careers & Employability Service Can you minimise your bills? Why not look at your phone contract Buy supermarket own brands or try shopping late in the evening when food is often reduced Use on-line banking to keep a check of your expenditure Don t food shop on an empty stomach you will only buy what you want and not what you need! Seek advice from the FST if you are struggling to manage your money we can help you set a budget plan. Contact T: 0151 794 6673 / 5861 / 5860 E: fst@liverpool.ac.uk www.liverpool.ac.uk/studentsupport/finance
16 17 More Information Disclaimer Financial Support Team T:+44 (0)151 794 6673/5861/5860 E: fst@liverpool.ac.uk Student Fees Section Student Administration Services T: +44 (0)151 794 6777 E: feesenq@liverpool.ac.uk Disability Support Team T: +44 (0)151 794 4714/5117 E: disteam@liverpool.ac.uk Accommodation Office T: +44 (0)151 795 0319 E: accommodation@liverpool.ac.uk Students in England and Wales www.gov.uk/student-finance Students in Wales www.studentfinancewales.co.uk Students in Scotland www.saas.gov.uk Students in Northern Ireland www.studentfinanceni.co.uk Student Loan Company www.slc.co.uk NHS Grants Unit T: +44 (0)8300 330 1345/(0)191 279 0570 E: nhsbsa.sbaccount@nhs.net www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained within this booklet is accurate at the time of going to press. The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver services in accordance with the descriptions set out. However, the University reserves the right to make variations to the contents if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Should industrial action occur, or other circumstances beyond the control of the University, which will interfere with its ability to deliver services in accordance with descriptions set out in this booklet, the University will try to minimise disruption as far as it is practical to do so. In accepting an offer of a place at the University of Liverpool, students agree to be bound by the University s rules and regulations under which the University and its students must operate, the principles of which are set out in the University s Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations. The current Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations are contained in the University Calendar which can be accessed at www.liverpool.ac.uk/ commsec/calendar/calendar.html Alternatively details can be obtained on request from the Committee Services Unit, University of Liverpool, Foundation Building, Liverpool, L69 7ZX. Before admission a student must provide satisfactory evidence of ability to pay all academic fees, cover maintenance expenditure and pay other dues. Unless otherwise agreed with the University, a student shall cease to be a registered student if arrangements for payment of fees are not fulfilled. The University reserves the right to terminate the registration of a student who is subsequently found to have omitted or falsified facts or information in connection with his/her application for admission. If you are dissatisfied with the information given in this booklet, or about the way in which your application has been treated, the University has a formal complaints procedure. The information in this booklet was correct at the time of print.