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Frequently asked questions

This page answers common questions we are asked by students.

For basic information about bursaries and scholarships such as what they are, how much you can get and how to apply for them, see our ’Introducing bursaries‘ section.

I’m hoping to go to university in 2012-13 but my family aren’t well off.  How will I afford the new higher tuition fees of up to £9,000?

You don’t have to pay university tuition fees upfront. Instead, you can take out a special Government loan to cover the full cost. You only have to start repaying this loan when you’re earning over £21,000 and then your repayments are based on only 9% of your income. So if you’re earning £25,000, you’ll have to repay £30 a month. See http://studentfinance-yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/ for more on the costs of going to university from 2012-13 and how to repay these costs.

There’s also help with living costs. See What state financial support am I entitled to? You can find further information from the Independent Student Finance Taskforce.

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I’m already at university. Will I have to pay the new higher tuition fees of up to £9,000?

No. You will continue to pay the same fees as you do now (subject to annual inflationary increases) for the full length of your course.

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I have applied to start at university in autumn 2011. Will I have to pay the new higher tuition fees of up to £9,000?

No. The student support package for students starting in 2011 will be similar to that for students who started in 2010. The maximum tuition fee you will have to pay will be £3,375 a year. You will pay the same fee (subject to annual inflationary increases) throughout your studies, regardless of any changes made by the Government to future fee and support levels.

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I have applied for deferred entry in autumn 2012. Will I have to pay the new higher tuition fees of up to £9,000?

Yes. The Government has raised tuition fee levels for 2012-13 and future years, with a new basic fee of £6,000 and a new cap of £9,000. These new thresholds will apply to all students starting in 2012-13 including those who applied in 2011-12 for deferred entry.

From 2012-13, there will be no minimum bursary. However, individual universities will still be offering bursaries – check to see what you’re eligible for. Also, if your parents earn less than £25,000 between them, you will be eligible for a more generous maintenance grant of £3,250 a year.  And if your parents earn less than £42,000 between them, you will be eligible for a partial grant.

If you have applied for deferred entry in autumn 2012 but have now changed your mind and want to start in autumn 2011, you should contact the universities you have applied to and ask if they will consider you for 2011 entry.

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I’m confused about what’s going to happen in 2012-13. Where can I find out more information?

See the Government Directgov site for more info on 2012-13 tuition fees and student finance.

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What is the National Scholarship Programme?

The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) is a new Government scheme to help disadvantaged students that will start in 2012-13. Scholarships will be worth at least £3,000 and will include discounted tuition fees or accommodation, a free foundation year and up to £1,000 in cash.

Each university will design their own NSP scheme so you’ll need to check with your preferred university to see what they’re offering. You can also find this information in our universities’ access agreements with us.

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Can OFFA give me a bursary?

OFFA does not award bursaries – we approve and monitor the bursary packages that English universities and colleges offer. Bursaries and scholarships are awarded by individual universities and colleges.

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What state financial support am I entitled to?

Each academic year you can get two Government loans – one to cover the cost of your tuition fees in full, and one to help with your living costs. Depending on your financial situation, you may also be eligible for a non-repayable Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. Currently, you only start to pay back your loans once you’ve left your course and are earning more than £15,000 a year. Students starting in 2012-13 and future years will start to repay their loans once they are earning more than £21,000 a year.

For more information, see the Student Finance section on the Government website Directgov. It has a student finance calculator that can give you a personalised quote for how much money you could get while studying. See also http://studentfinance-yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/

When can I apply for student finance?

Student Finance England (the body that deals with applications for loans and grants) is still taking applications from people who will be starting a full-time university course in autumn 2011. However, as the deadline for applications has passed, they may not be able to work out your full entitlement in time for the start of term. Apply now at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. If you’ve already applied for student finance but need to make some changes (for example, you’re studying a different course), you can also do this online. 

For regular updates via Twitter or Facebook, see http://twitter.com/#!/sf_england or http://www.facebook.com/SFEngland

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What is the ‘minimum bursary’?

If you’re entering university or college in 2011-12, universities and colleges must give you a minimum bursary of £338 if you’re getting the full state Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. In practice, most universities and colleges will give you much more, typically £900 a year.

There will be no minimum bursary for students starting in 2012-13 and future years. However, universities will still be giving lots of financial support in the form of bursaries, fee waivers, accommodation discounts etc. Check with individual universities to see what they’re offering. You may also be eligible for help under the new National Scholarship Programme. See What is the National Scholarship Programme?

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I’m an overseas/EU student – what bursaries can I apply for?

You need to contact your university/college or the university/college you’re applying to for information about any financial support available to you.

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I come from Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland – what am I entitled to?

OFFA’s remit only covers English undergraduates studying full-time at English universities and colleges. Almost all universities and colleges give the same bursary package to all their UK students but you need to check with the university/college in question. For information on state support, see the ‘Students from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales‘ section on the Directgov website.

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I’ve been contacted by my university who say I need to ‘consent to share’ my financial information – what does this mean?

When you fill in your Student Finance Application Form, you and parents can choose whether or not to ‘consent to share’ your financial information with your university/college. If you do not consent to share this information, your university/college may not be aware you are entitled to a bursary. If you have mistakenly ticked the box refusing to share your information, contact the relevant Student Loans Company helpline below:

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I haven’t been accepted on to the course I applied for – can you help?

No, this does not come under OFFA’s remit and is a matter for the university or college in question.

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I have a complaint about my university – can you help?

Please see our Complaints section.

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Will getting a bursary affect my eligibility for government-funded loans and grants?

No. However large your bursary is, it will not affect your eligibility for the state maintenance grant or for loans to cover your tuition fees and help you with living costs.

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