St Peter’s
RC Sixth Form
Higher Education:
tuition fees
Tuition
Fees - What are they?
Tuition fees are the sums of money that either you, your parents or the
Local Education authority (LEA) – or a combination of all three
– will have to pay to the university you study at each year that
you are there. This does not represent the full cost of your tuition at
university as this is subsidised for UK and European Union (EU) students.
The tuition fee contribution includes admission, registration, tuition (teaching) and graduation fees.You may have to pay the full amount right at the start of each academic year, or your university may allow you to pay it in instalments.
Are you eligible for tuition fee support?
UK students are eligible for help with their tuition fees, as long as
they have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for three years
preceding the start of their course. The Department for Education and
Skills (DfES) booklet ‘Financial Support for Higher Education Students’
gives more detailed information on eligibility conditions. (back
to top)
How much are tuition fees?
The amount of tuition fees you pay is means-tested – the amount
of any income you might have above a certain level, and your family’s
(usually your parents’) income, is taken into account. The maximum
contribution expected from students in 2003/2004 is £1,125. This
will probably increase in the subsequent years you are at university in
line with inflation. But you might not have to pay at all. Fees will be
determined by factors such as:-
- Your parents’ income.
- Your own finances (this does not include any part-time jobs you intend to take during the academic year.)
- The course you intend to take.
- Whether the institution you’re going to is Government funded or private.
The following table (2003-2004 amounts ) will give you some idea of what you might have to pay, based on your parents’ income:-
| INCOME | FEES | |
| £20,970
|
No tuition fee | |
| £31,231 + | Maximum tuition
fee contribution of £1,125. |
I f your parents’ income is between these two figures, you will
be placed on a sliding scale of £0-1,125.
If you have any brothers or sisters who are also at university, the parental
contribution doesn’t change, but is split between the number of
children in higher education.
If your parents are divorced, the LEA will decide which parent’s
income is used as the basis of the fee calculation. (back
to top)
What if … I’m on a sandwich course?
Sandwich course students have to pay fees during their sandwich year,
but the fees are halved. Students pay a maximum of £550, depending
upon parental income. If you do a thin sandwich course, and the placement
is less than a year long, you will be expected to pay full fees, up to
£1,125. (back to top)
What if… I’m a part-time student?
You can also apply for help with tuition fees. If you are receiving benefits
(check that the course you are doing does not jeopardise your benefit
entitlement), have a low income or have lost your job, you may get your
fees paid in full. If you are a part-time student on a low income, you
can apply for a £500 loan per year of your study to help with the
costs of your course. (back to top)
What if… I’m disabled?
If you are disabled, you can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance
(DSA). You can also apply to your university for help via Access Funds
or a hardship loan. (back to top)
Higher Education pages updated 23rdJune 2003