Student Finance in 2007/08 for Wales

If you live in Wales, you will be eligible to student support services provided by Student Finance Wales.

No matter where in the UK you choose to study.

Tuition Fees

If you start your studies in Wales in 2008/09, you will be charged £3,145 for tuition fees.

This can be paid with a loan provided by Student Finance Wales, so you don’t need to find the money up-front.

You can repay the charge when you complete your studies.

Regardless of your family income, if you normally live in Wales and study at a Welsh University you will be entitled to receive a non-means tested tuition fee grant of up to £1,890 per year.

This is paid to your place of study and does not have to be repaid.

If you normally live in Wales but study elsewhere in the UK, you will not be entitled to a tuition fee grant, and you will be charged fees according to the country in which you study.

Student Loans

Student loans are available to help with living costs.

If you are on a full-time, sandwich, or part-time Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course with six weeks or more attendance you are eligible to apply for a loan from Student Finance Wales.

To receive a student loan, you must be aged under 60.

You will receive your loan in three instalments, at the beginning of each term, directly into your bank account.
How much you can borrow will depend upon your household income and where you live whilst you study. How much you can borrow:

Place of study = Maximum loan available
London = £6480
Elsewhere in UK = £4625
Overseas Maximum = £5515
Living with Parents = £3580

The maximum amount of main maintenance loan will be reduced by £1 for every £1 of maintenance grant received (see below), up to a maximum of £1,225.

Loan repayments begin in the April after the student has left their course and when their income exceeds £15,000 a year.

Assembly Learning Grants (ALG)

If you normally live in Wales, come from a low income household, you may also be entitled to an Assembly Learning Grant (ALG) no matter where you choose to study.

How much you get depends on your household income:

Household Income£0 to £18,370 = £2,835
Household Income £18,370 to £39,300 = £ partial grant
Household Income Over £39,000 = No grant

Extra help

Some students, for example, if you are over 60 or in receipt of certain disability related benefits, will be eligible for a special support grant instead of an Assembly Learning Grant.

Financial contingency funds and bursaries are also available to students who are experiencing financial difficulties or who are from low income families.

Part-time students:

Part-time undergraduate students studying at least 50% of an equivalent full-time course are entitled to receive a Fee Grant. Students who already have a degree cannot apply for this support. The Fee Grant varies according to the intensity of the course:


Intensity of Course: 50%-59%, Maximum Fee Grant £620
Intensity of Course: 60%-74%Maximum Fee Grant £745
Intensity of Course: 75% or more Maximum Fee Grant £930

More information
For more detailed information on what may be available to students continuing into higher education, contact: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or call the Student Finance Wales Contact Centre on 0845 602 8845