Student Finance, Cardiff University

Student Finance all you need to know

Please note: The content is the best information available at this time and information is subject to change Today’s presentation refers to Student Finance England. Please refer to their website for up-to-date information To discuss your individual circumstances, please contact Student Finance England or the Student Funding and Advice Team at the university you are looking to apply to The following loans and grants information refer to non-healthcare courses. Visit university websites for guidance on the NHS bursary and funding

What does student finance include?

• Tuition fees and the tuition fee loan • Living costs and the maintenance loan • Repayment – how and when • Scholarships, bursaries and grants • Other income opportunities • Budgeting

Tuition fees • Tuition fees can be up to £9,535* per year • Tuition fee loan covers whole amount • Not means tested • Nothing paid up front • Paid directly to your institution by the Student Loans Company

• Typically covers course costs, access to facilities, student support services, field trips and more *based on 2025/26 funding *Global University Employability Ranking (Times Higher Education 2024)

Living costs and the maintenance loan • Accommodation costs and bills • Daily spending • Loan designed to help with your living costs • Means tested – dependent on household income • Paid in 3 instalments around the same time as accommodation fees • Amount varies depending on where you live while you study

SFE maintenance loan amounts • Living at home while you study your course – up to £8,877 • Living away from home and outside London – up to £10,544 • Living away from home and studying in London – up to £13,762 • You spend a year of your course abroad – up to £12,076 • Amount is dependent on your household income • All figures are for 25/26 entry

Repayment – how and when • Starts the April after you graduate • Only when your income is over £25,000 a year • Amount is worked out by 9% of your income over the threshold • Taken from your salary each month • If salary drops or stops, repayments will stop • Only ever based on what you earn • Written off after 40 years • Interest rate: RPI + up to 3%

If I earn £28,000 a year, how much of my student loan will I repay each month?

• £22.50 • £27.70 • £35.00 • £39.50

£22.50

Repayment example Salary

What you’ll repay each month

Below £25,000

£0

£27,000

£15

£30,000

£38

£35,000

£75

£40,000

£113

The application

The application process • Usually opens in early Spring • Deadline for 2024 entry was 17th May • Lots of questions, give yourself a couple of hours

• Can take Student Finance up to 6 weeks to go through everything

What do you need?

• Email address • Bank account in your own name • UK passport • School, university and course details • Contact details for parents/guardians

Tips for applying • Apply early – sooner you get the ball rolling, the better • Do your research – know what you need • Double-check everything • Don’t forget to re-apply for each year • Don’t panic if you miss the deadline – you have up until 9 months after you start the course • Don’t wait for all your offers to come in • If you change your course through Clearing, remember to update Student Finance England before 1st Sept or contact your university after this date

Additional support

Additional support from Student Finance England • Students with disabilities • Students with adult dependents • Students with dependent children • Students with registered and approved childcare costs – up to limits set by your funding body Check Student Finance England website

Additional support from universities • Bursaries – based on financial need and automatically allocated • Scholarships – in a range of areas including academic and sports • Hardship support funds • Trained support teams to provide advice and guidance

• Scholarships and grants vary from university to university so important to check what is on offer

Extra income • Part-time work in the area or as a student ambassador • Ambassador work is very varied and can help you develop key skills • On-campus internship opportunities • Jobshop • Holiday work • Family • Savings • Cost of living in the city/town • Student discount accepted in most places

Academic life: Student Support • Residence Life • Student Mentoring Scheme • Personal tutors • Safe Zone app • The Cardiff Award – helps boost employability

• Student Connect as a first point of contact either in-person or online

• Dedicated support teams in the following areas:

• Advice and Money • Careers and Employability • Disability and Dyslexia Service • Counselling, health and wellbeing

“Make an honest budget! It’s not fun or glamourous, but it is probably one of the best ways to keep track of your spending and make sure you have enough money to last you the term. I try my hardest to put everything into my budget, including nights out, trips and potential impulse buys so it is easier to stick to and more realistic.”

Phoebe, Cardiff University graduate

Work out your budget Income

• Maintenance loan • Bursary or scholarship • Savings • Wages • Family Essential outgoings

• Rent • Food • Bills • Transport • Course materials

Budgeting Non-essential outgoings

• Nights out • New clothes • Hobbies and interests • Gym membership • Travelling • Eating out • Subscriptions • Minus your essential outgoings from your incomings and then divide by the number of weeks left of term. The figure is what you have for the above things.

What is the difference in price between the two baskets of shopping?

If you saved this every week for one year, £5.47 £7.82 £9.53 £11.40 you could save £592.80

If you buy one cup of coffee from a well-known coffee chain (at £4.40 a time) every weekday during term time, how much would this cost? £387

£509

£682

Budgeting tips • Cut out non-essential purchases • Want or need • Research all bursaries, scholarships and grants • Set weekly allowances • Put money away • Try and get cheaper bills • Buy pre-owned textbooks • Plan ahead • Student discounts and travel cards • Part-time work opportunities • Be realistic

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