Part-time student finance 2012/13 :Cross Stitch – Education and learning
If you’re a new part-time student starting a course from 1 September 2023 you can apply now for a Tuition Fee Loan. Continuing students can apply for finance from mid-August. Find out what help you can get and how and when you can apply.
To qualify for a Tuition Fee Loan your part-time course must start on or after 1 September 2012.
Your course needs to be at least 25 per cent of an equivalent full-time course each year (eg four years instead of one year full time). Ask your university or college if you’re not sure.
You can study at a university or college (including further education colleges) or by distance learning (eg the Open University).
You usually need to be doing your first higher education qualification. If you’ve completed an equal or higher level qualification you won’t usually qualify for a loan.
You may qualify for a loan if you didn’t complete a previous qualification.
There is no upper age limit for applying.
You can apply for a loan up to nine months after the start of the academic year.
You don’t start repaying your loan until your income is over £21,000. Repayments start in the April four years after your course starts or the April after you leave your course, whichever comes first.
Your repayments are based on your income, not how much you borrow.
To find out more about repaying your loan, see ‘Paying back your student loan’.
Part-time students can’t apply for a Maintenance Loan or a Maintenance Grant.
If you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty like dyslexia you may get Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs).
DSAs are paid on top of your student loan and don’t have to be paid back.
If your household income is no more than £25,000 per year you may be able to get help through the new National Scholarship Programme. Check with your university or college to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.
You may also be able to get a bursary, scholarship or award from your university or college. Bursaries and scholarships are paid on top of your student finance and don’t need to be paid back.