Undergraduate student funding
When you're planning to go to university, it's important to think about two main costs - your tuition fees and your living costs.
If you're a UK student, you may be able to get help with both from Student Finance England (SFE). There's financial support available for full-time and part-time students.
Tuition fee loan
If you are an eligible full-time UK undergraduate student, you can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your fees each year. It's paid directly to the university by SFE. You only start making repayments after you've left university, and your income is over £25,000 a year - the threshold for your repayment plan.
Apply for a tuition fee loan
Maintenance loan
A maintenance loan helps with day-to-day living costs such as rent, food and travel. The amount you can receive depends on where you live, where you study and your household income.
As with the tuition fee loan, you only start repaying it once you've finished your course and your income is above he repayment threshold.
If you're applying from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, funding arrangements differ slightly.
Part-time student funding
If you're studying part-time, you may also be eligible for both a tuition fee and maintenance loan.
Your tuition fee loan covers the cost of your course and is paid directly to the University. Maintenance loans can help with living expenses, and the amount depends on your household income, course intensity, and where you live while studying.
Repayments work the same way as for full-time students - you only start paying back your loan once your income is above the repayment threshold.
Repayments
Student loans are different to other types of loans. Below are the key facts about student loan repayments:
- you only start repaying your tuition fee and maintenance loans once you've left your course and your income is over the threshold amount for your repayment plan
- the amount you repay each month is based on your income and not on how much you owe.
Your repayments automatically stop if either:
- you stop working
- your income goes below the threshold.
Funding for health and social care students
If you're studying a health or social care course, you may be entitled to extra financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund. This includes:
- a training grant to help with general living costs
- parental support for students with children
- help with travel and accommodation expenses for placements
- the Placement Support Fund for additional costs
Funding for parents and carers
If you have children or adult dependants, you may be able to access extra support.
Funding for students with a disability or health condition
If you have a learning difficulty, disability or long-term health condition, you may be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs). These provide extra financial help for equipment, travel or other study-related support.
Disabled students' allowances
Previous study
If you've already studied at higher education level before, it can affect what funding you're entitled to. Contact Student Life for advice before you apply to make sure you understand your eligibility.
Online learning funding
If you're studying online, there are flexible options to help you manage your costs. Some students pay for each module as they go, while others are supported by their employer.
If you're based in the UK, you may also be eligible for a tuition fee loan through Student Finance England.
More about online learning funding
Support for members of the armed forces
We welcome applications from members of the armed forces and accept Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) for most of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
The Ministry of Defence's ELC scheme supports lifelong learning by helping service personnel and veterans fund nationally recognised qualifications at Level 3 or above.
More about the Enhanced Learning Credits scheme
Fees and funding enquiries
If you have any questions about fees or funding, please contact Student Life.
studentlife@tees.ac.uk