Finance questions
How would I afford to go? Is it worth getting into so much
debt?
The cost of going to university is provided for you through a
combination of grants (which you don’t have to pay back) and loans
(which you do). You don’t need to find any money up front. You only
pay the loans back in small amounts at the point when you can
afford it, and if you haven’t paid them back after a certain amount
of time they will be written off. University can be an amazing
experience – but to make an informed decision you need to think
hard about the financial implications of going as well. Students
who are still in the care of their Local Authority will be entitled
to financial support from them too.
What’s the difference between a loan, a grant and a
bursary?
Loans and grants are provided for you through a government
service called Student Finance England (www.direct.gov/studentfinance)
or the equivalent in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Grants
do not have to be paid back, but loans do. Your student finance
package will be made up of a combination of loans and grants. In
addition, your university may provide bursaries and other funding to add to your loans
and grants, and which you don’t have to pay back. The combination
of loans, grants and bursaries will provide enough money to pay for
your tuition and to live while you are at university, although you
may choose to work as well.
What does ‘means-tested’ and ‘parental or family income’ mean?
Does this apply to me?
Each student is offered an individualised package of loans and
grants. The total amount depends on whether you might receive
financial support from your parents or family or whether you are
independent of them. Most students who have come from a care
background are classed as independent so will get the maximum
amount of financial support available through the loans and grants
system.
Is there other funding or support that I could access?
Many universities will provide you with additional support
specifically because you have had experience in care, especially if
it was in the last 3 years. This might include having someone there
who you can turn to for advice, or additional financial support. If
you are thinking about university, it can be useful to find out
which ones offer good support packages. Click here to find out about the sort of support you
can get at York St John University.
General
questions »
Subject and
study questions »
Student
life questions »
Questions
about moving from care to university »