Student funding

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Live Wednesday, 15 September 2010 at 1502 BST on Radio 4 and Online Listen to the programme Programme transcript (20 pages)

As freshers and students across the UK set off for University, Paul Lewis and guests answered your questions about student money.

Average debt is around £5,600 for each year of study, according to the latest student debt survey from PUSH.

Depending on the University, final debts can vary between £10,000 and £30,000.

To help meet these costs, students can apply for a range of tuition and maintenance loans, grants, bursaries and scholarships. But help will vary depending on the choice of course, place of study and individual financial circumstances.

If you are beginning a course, considering higher education or struggling to make ends meet while studying, send us your question.

What will it cost to be a student?

How will the course tuition fees be paid?

Who is entitled to a maintenance loan or grant?

When should you apply?

What interest rate is charged on student loans?

Where can you find information about scholarships and bursaries?

Whether you are studying in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, the panel were ready to offer advice.

Paul Lewis was joined by:

• Miriam Craven, Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)

• Keith Houghton, Kingston University Student Funding Service

• David Malcolm, National Union of Students

• Andy Topham, Student Finance England

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Producer: Diane Richardson

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