|
A number of factors come into play when estimating the cost of your higher education.
The cost to you and your family will be dependent upon your course, institution and household income. Since 2007/08, Universities and colleges in Wales have been able to charge different fees for different courses. Institutions in England have been charging higher fees since 2006/07. However, whilst you may be expected to make a contribution towards your tuition fees, Student Finance Wales will provide a fee loan which means you do not need to pay your fees up front. This can then be repaid when you complete your studies.
For the academic year 2010/11, the maximum you could be charged for tuition fees within Wales, England or Northern Ireland is £3,290. You can apply for a loan to cover all or part of this cost.
Student loans are also available to help with your living costs. The loan is income-assessed, which means it depends on your household income. The amount you can borrow may also depend on the amount of Assembly Learning Grant you may have been awarded.
All student loans accrue interest which is linked to the rate of inflation in line with the Retail Prices Index. More information regarding interest accrual is available in the section entitled What, When and How will I repay?
There are also a number of grants for which you may be eligible to apply.
Entitlement to grants and loans increases each year in line with inflation, and your eligibility is assessed by your Local Authority on the basis of your income and that of your household. Please use our Entitlement Calculator or read the section entitled What Support is Available This Year? for further information.
Graduates earn, on average, substantially more than people with A levels who did not go to university. Projected over a working lifetime, the difference is something like £120,000 at today's valuation. Higher education is likely to be the best investment you ever make.
Where to apply
| 