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Student Finances

Getting your money situation right and getting good information and advice about student finance is important when thinking of heading to college or university. You may have heard people debating the cost of being a student and issues like student debt – certainly there is more to think about now than a couple of decades ago when government grants were more generous – but it’s important to know that some financial support from the government is still available for many students. It’s also true that student loans are available and offer a relatively low interest rate with a long time period of time allowed for paying it back – and you don’t start paying it back until you’re earning above a set amount.

Student finance in Wales is different!
Education is a devolved issue – that means decisions about education policies (and how students are financially supported) are decided by the Welsh Assembly Government rather than by politicians in Westminster. Although there’s lots of info on the net about student finance in the UK, many of that info actually only applies to the funding system in England. Wales has a different system.

You’ll find loads of info about student finances in Wales at ‘Student Finance Wales’. The website and service was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government. Contact details below.

If you’re planning to study full-time, you may be entitled to:

• Student Loans and grants from the government

• Bursaries from your university or college

Entitlement to the Assembly Learning Grant, Special Support Grant, Higher Education Grant, and the extra portion of the Maintenance Loan depends on a student’s household income.

Links and contact details

Name: Student Finance Wales
Web: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Email:
Tel: 0845 602 8845
Minicom: 0845 603 1693
Info:

Name: National Union of Students
Web: www.nus.org.uk
Email:
Tel:
Info: The UK wide organisation for students. The NUS aims to promote, defend and extend the rights of students.

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