Student loans for college and university

Smarties
Smarties Online Community Member Posts: 29 Listener
edited August 2023 in Benefits and income
Hi 

Does anyone know how many student loans you can have is there a limit or unlimited? 

For example, if I was to do a 2 year college course and then go on to university to get a degree for 3 years would I get help? 

I Want to study my GCSE maths and English which is part time and free as it’s government funded so that’s fine. 

I was thinking of doing a course alongside my gcse such as a pre access course which is part time aswell and helps you to get the skills needed for a higher access course or a level 1 in health and social which would be full time course. ( I presume a student loan would be needed for this full time course or part time pre access course) 

By the way If two part time courses are being studied would that mean I would be classed as studying full time with UC? 

After completed I want to do a HE course in nursing which is full time and a loan would be needed and then from there go to university for 3 years and obviously a loan would be needed for then. 

And if I got my degree in nursing and then wanted to do another university course postgraduate would I be able to get a student loan again???? 


Sounds so complicated and just trying to understand it all so if anyone knows please advise regarding the student loans finance thanks 

Comments

  • liz29
    liz29 Scope Member Posts: 6 Connected
    Smarties said:
    Hi 

    Does anyone know how many student loans you can have is there a limit or unlimited? 

    For example, if I was to do a 2 year college course and then go on to university to get a degree for 3 years would I get help? 

    I Want to study my GCSE maths and English which is part time and free as it’s government funded so that’s fine. 

    I was thinking of doing a course alongside my gcse such as a pre access course which is part time aswell and helps you to get the skills needed for a higher access course or a level 1 in health and social which would be full time course. ( I presume a student loan would be needed for this full time course or part time pre access course) 

    By the way If two part time courses are being studied would that mean I would be classed as studying full time with UC? 

    After completed I want to do a HE course in nursing which is full time and a loan would be needed and then from there go to university for 3 years and obviously a loan would be needed for then. 

    And if I got my degree in nursing and then wanted to do another university course postgraduate would I be able to get a student loan again???? 


    Sounds so complicated and just trying to understand it all so if anyone knows please advise regarding the student loans finance thanks 
    Hi @ Smartie. So as far as I know you don't need student finance for any course under level 3. Student finance is available for Level 3 courses, only for the cost of the course as it's purely a tuition loan paid direct to the college provider. This would not affect your UC.

    If you apply for an undergraduate degree you can apply for a maintenance loan,  based on financial circumstances. The post graduate finance is not based on financial circumstances. This is paid as tuition loan with roughly 1.500 left after tuition is paid. Any student finance received would have to be deducted off UC.

    Additionally, you can also apply for Disability Student Allowance alongside your student finance. This is not repayable and does not affect UC.
    Have a chat with your local college they will be able to put you on the right path. 

    Wishing you all the best on your journey.


  • Smarties
    Smarties Online Community Member Posts: 29 Listener
    Hi Liz thank you for your help and kind comment :) 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Hi @Smarties. Thank you for reaching out to us. I have a very similar experience to your own. For example, I had an "advanced learner loan" for my level 3 Access to Higher Education: Social Sciences (whereas yours would probably be nursing/healthcare/the equivalent). I then had an undergraduate loan for tuition fees and a maintenance loan from Student Finance England for my undergraduate studies. I then had a postgraduate loan from Student Finance England for my Master's degree.

    Therefore, it is possible to have a loan at all stages of your studies. In fact, SFE prioritise medical and nursing students in some respects. If you have not a level 3 qualification before, then you can apply for an advanced learner loan for your Access to Higher Education course. From memory, I think this was automatically applied. However, you can talk to your college to make sure that is still the case and if there is anything else you might be eligible for to support your wider student life (e.g., travel, essential supplies and food).

    I hope sharing my own experience is somewhat helpful. In short, the answer is yes it is possible. Please don't hesitate to let us know if there is anything else we can do to help you with this  :)
  • Smarties
    Smarties Online Community Member Posts: 29 Listener
    Hi there thank you very much for your information that’s very great to know and for your reassurance thank you so much 😊 xx 

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