Financial Support for HE students

Higher National Certificate/Diplomas (HNCs/HNDs) are vocationally focussed higher education qualifications that are designed specifically to provide a skills/career-based qualification. Both a HNC and HND can also provide a route onto an Honours Degree course.

How much will a HNC/HND cost?

The Government is changing the way it funds higher education courses for the academic year 2012-2013. Students entering higher education in September 2013 will take out loans to cover the full cost of their tuition. Currently students take out loans to cover part of the cost and the Government pays the other part directly to the university or college.

You may have heard in the media that most universities will be charging £9,000 per year. Here at South Thames College, we believe that higher education should be as affordable as possible. To reflect this commitment, tuition fees will be from as little as £2,500 from September 2013.

The tuition fee loan scheme which allows you to go to college or university without paying any of tuition fees up front is administered by Student Finance England. Further details can be found by following www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

Loan information for students aged 24+

If you're 24 or older, and looking to study a Level 4 course you may be eligible for a loan. See below for more information.

What are they?

24+ Advanced Learning Loans are student loans similar to higher education loans, but for the further education sector. They will be in place for courses starting from September 2013/14.

Loans will be available for learners aged 24 and over, studying at Level 3 or Level 4, including QCF Certificates and Diplomas, Access to HE, A-Levels and Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships.

You can apply for a loan to meet the upfront costs of your qualification, which will be paid directly to the College on your behalf and you won’t have any course fees to pay at the start of your course

Who is eligible for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan?

Individuals who are:

  • Starting their course on or after 31 August 2013
  • Aged 24 or over at the start of their course
  • Living in the UK on the first day of your course, and have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to this.
  • Have not previously had a loan to do the same qualification type and level of qualification. 

You will still be eligible even if you have other qualifications at the same level as that you are applying for, as long as you have not taken out a previous loan for them.

Loans will not be means tested (or subject to credit checks) and any person who meets the criteria above will be able to apply for a loan irrespective of their current employment status.

When are they coming in?

Loans will be introduced from September 2013/14.

What does it mean for me?

You don’t pay anything up front for your course fees and if you’re not earning over £21k, you don’t pay anything back.

If your loan is for an Access to Higher Education programme and you progress and complete higher education study, you will not have to pay back your FE loan.

How and when do I need to apply?

You will be able to apply online. The loans application process will launch in April 2013 for the academic year 2013/14.

Additional Information

For apprenticeships the learner and employer are expected to share the costs of the course, so the loan you would take out would be for your half.

If your course lasts for more than one year, you’ll only need to take one loan out. If you go on to study at a higher level you can get another loan. You can have a maximum of four loans.

For more information on these loans visit the Skills Funding Agency website.