Financial Information for all Higher Education Students
You don't have to wait until you've accepted a course to apply for student finance. You can apply any time and have everything sorted for the start or close to the start of college or university.

If you are a new student visit the Student Finance government web site: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. This is also the best source of information for all general student finance enquiries.

We are currently reviewing what additional financial support will be available from Swindon College for students and will publish an update here shortly. In the meantime, you may find some useful information by visiting the Directgov website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation

/StudentFinance/index.htm

For any further information please contact Sharon O'Connor on Tel: (01793) 498296 or email: sharonoconnor@swindon-college.ac.uk

FULL TIME STUDENTS
If you’re studying full time, the main sources of help are:

• Student loans and grants from the government
• Bursaries from your university or college.

Student loans from the government
All eligible students can get help with tuition fees and living costs through student loans. You’ll be able to take out two student loans per academic year:

• A Tuition Fee Loan - to cover your annual tuition fees in full
• A Maintenance Loan - to help with accommodation and other living costs (how much you get will depend on your household income).

When you are assessed for your fees you are automatically assessed for a Student Loan. If you are paying your own tuition fees, an instalment plan can be arranged by contacting Swindon College Student Finance on Tel: (01793) 498338 or via our online contact form.

Repaying student loans
Student loans have to be paid back - but you don’t have to start making repayments until you’ve left your course and are earning over £21,000. Once your earnings reach this threshold, you’ll pay back nine per cent of whatever you earn over £21,000.

Bursaries & Scholarships
Bursaries are in addition to student loans and do not have to be repaid. Institutions in England must offer at least a minimum bursary payment if you’re paying maximum tuition fees and getting the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant (which all students are eligible to apply for).

Universities offer various Bursaries and Scholarships, see the contacts below for web site and contact details. Please contact the institution you are enrolled with as a student:

Swindon College
Bursaries 2011-12
Progression Bursary - £540 (payable in 2 instalments - £270 in December & £270 in May)
Swindon College Bursary (Full) - £850 (payable in 3 instalments - £510 in January, £170 in March & £170 in May)
Swindon College Bursary (Partial) - £435 (payable in 3 instalments - £255 in January, £85 in March & £85 in May)

Students do not have to apply for the Bursaries but need to have put in an application to SFE (Student Finance England) and both students and their sponsors must consent to share their information or we will not be able to pay the bursary. 

Eligibility for the two main Swindon College Bursaries is based on household income. 

Eligibility for the Progression Bursary is that students have progressed onto an ‘eligible’ Swindon College full time higher education course (not a franchised course) from a Full-time Level 3 course completed up to two years before enrolment. Students should be made aware that they need to complete at least the first year of their HE course to keep their full Progression Bursary. Should they withdraw from the course before the end of the first year, Swindon College will request that they repay at least 50% of the bursary.

Swindon College Bursary Information 
Tel: (01793) 498338
email Christine Howe: via our online contact form

Oxford Brookes University
Student Finance Tel: (01865) 483373
Web: www.brookes.ac.uk
email: finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk

University of Bath
Student Services Tel: (01225) 385538
Web: www.bath.ac.uk
email: studentservices@bath.ac.uk

Extra help
You may qualify for extra help on top of student loans and bursaries if you’re disabled or you have a mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. Students with child or adult dependants may qualify for an additional grant or allowance.

Access to Learning Fund
To apply to the Access to Learning Fund you must have applied for your full student loan. You will then be able to apply for help towards additional course-related costs. Any allocation will depend on your income and expenditure.

More about finance for full-time students
Follow the link for ‘Finance for new full time students’ at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance or Tel: 0845 607 7577.

PART TIME STUDENTS
The main sources of financial help for part-time students are usually different from those available to full-time students. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for part-time Tuition Fee and Course Grants. How much you can get depends on your household income and personal circumstances.

Access to Learning Fund
You can apply for help with childcare costs and exceptional travel costs. However, this is not available unless you have applied for the part-time grant.

More about finance for part-time students
Follow the link for ‘Finance for part-time students - applying for the first time’ at
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance or Tel: 0845 607 7577.