New Part-time Undergraduate Student Finance for – 2021/22

Funding for Welsh Domiciled Students

Tuition Fee Loan

Part-time or a distance learning students starting their course in September 2021 could get a Tuition Fee Loan to help pay for their tuition fees.

• The maximum Tuition Fee Loan available for Welsh students attending a HEI is £2,625.
• If the tuition fee charged by the University or College is more than the Tuition Fee Loan available, then you will have to fund the difference yourself. You can pay these fees whilst you study. For further information on how you can pay your tuition fees, if you choose to do so, or any other university fees such as accommodation please visit the Finance Office.
• You must also be studying an average course intensity of at least 25% to get a Tuition Fee Loan.
• A Tuition Fee Loan is available to UK students studying their first undergraduate degree regardless of your household income.
• A Maintenance Loan has to be repaid once you leave your course and start earning more than £27,295 a year (from 6th of April 2021) Deductions are usually made through the PAYE tax system by your employer in the same way as tax and National Insurance contributions. You will make repayments at a rate of 9% of any amount that you earn above £27,295 a year (from 6th April 2021). For further information, please visit the following website:www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk

Support for Living Costs available to part time student commencing their studies in 2021/22

Welsh Government Learning Grant

• A minimum Welsh government Learning Grant will be available to all eligible part time undergraduate students who live in Wales – up to £750 and determined on intensity of study
• Students from Wales may also be eligible for an additional means-tested Welsh Government Learning Grant, which will be based the intensity of study and your taxable household income.
• The Grant will be paid directly into your bank or building society account in three instalments – one at the start of each term.
• The Welsh Government Learning does not have to be paid back when you graduate.

Maintenance Loan

• Maintenance Loans are available to help you pay for living expenses such as books, clothes and travel. This money comes from the Welsh Government via the Student Loans Company.
• How much you will receive with be determined on the intensity of study and your taxable household income.
• The Maintenance Loan will be paid directly into your bank or building society account in three instalments – one at the start of each term.
• A Maintenance Loan has to be repaid once you leave your course and start earning more than £27,295 a year (from 6th of April 2021). Deductions are usually made through the PAYE tax system by your employer in the same way as tax and National Insurance contributions. You will make repayments at a rate of 9% of any amount that you earn above £27,295 a year (from 6th of April). For further information, please visit the following website: www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk

The following table will help you determine your approximate entitlement:

What is course intensity?

Course intensity is the time you’ll study compared to an equivalent full time course. For example a full time course is 3 years an equivalent part time could take up to 6 years.

How to apply and when

You can apply on-line or by downloading an application from the Student Finance Wales website: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk. The application portal and application forms will be available from March 2021.

Previous Higher Education Study

If you have previously studied a higher education course, your entitlement to student finance may be affected. We recommend that you contact Student Finance Wales: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or the Money Support Unit here at Bangor or for further information and advice as soon as you decide to apply to University.

Extra Financial Help

Disabled Students’ Allowance

Part-time students with disabilities, long-term health conditions or specific learning difficulties, including distance learning students who are studying at least 25% of a full-time course, may be able to get Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA).

• DSA can help pay the extra costs you have (in relation to studying for a course of higher education) as a direct result of your disability or specific learning difficulty.
• DSA does not depend on your income or that of your family and will not have to be repaid at the end of your studies.
• To apply for DSA, you will need to fill in an additional form called a DSA1f which you can download from the website listed above.

For further information, support and advice you can contact our Disability Service.

Parents Learning Allowance – PLA

If you have dependent children, you may be entitled to apply for the Parents Learning Allowance.

• How much you will receive will depend on your household income and the intensity of study – minimum 50%.
• You will not have to repay this allowance at the end of your studies.

Childcare Grant

Helps with childcare costs if you have dependent children in registered or approved childcare.

• How much you will receive will depend on your taxable household income and intensity of study – minimum 50%.
• You will not have to repay this grant at the end of your studies.

Adult Dependant Grant – ADG

If you have a partner or another adult, who is financially dependant on you, you can apply for the Adult Dependant Grant.

• How much you’ll receive will depend on your household income and the intensity of study – minimum 50%.
• You will not have to repay this grant at the end of your studies.

To apply for the extra financial help you will be sent the appropriate forms by Student Finance Wales or they can be downloaded from their website: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk.