More funding available to students from autumn 2008

There will be more financial help for students going into higher education from September 2008 - One in three new full-time students could qualify for a full grant: worth up to around £2,835

What are the changes?

More students will qualify for a Maintenance Grant

From September 2008, around one third of eligible students are expected to be entitled to a full Maintenance Grant of up to around £2,835. Around a further third are expected to qualify for part of the Maintenance Grant.

The amount you receive is based on your household income - and the good news is that you won’t have to pay a penny of this back.

Student Loan repayment holidays

If you are due to start repaying your Student Loans after 1 April 2012, you will be offered the choice of putting your repayments on hold for up to a total of five years.

This could help you put your money where it’s most needed at important times in your life - for example, buying a home or starting a family.

Get EMA? Get money for higher education!

If you currently get Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), you’re also likely to qualify for a grant to help with your costs if you go into higher education. This grant will not need to be repaid.

If you are a 16-year-old receiving an EMA in academic year 2008/2009, you will be given a firm guarantee of the minimum financial support you can expect to receive if you decide to continue into higher education.

Who will these arrangements apply to?

You don't need to repay student grants and bursaries!

These improvements will apply to you if you are a student living in England (or an eligible EU student) starting a new full-time higher education course anywhere in the UK from September 2008.

If you are already in higher education, or are due to start in September 2007, you’ll continue to benefit from the existing package of financial support.

What is the current student finance package?

The student finance package consists of Student Loans for Tuition Fees and Student Loans for living costs, and non-repayable support in the form of a Maintenance Grant, and university and college Bursaries.

If you have a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty, or if you are a student who has children or adult dependants, you could also be eligible for additional help that doesn’t have to be repaid.

For more information visit Directgov - public services all in one place.

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