Loans, Grants & Fees

Support for Part-Time Students

This is an overview of funding available if your studies lead to a higher-education qualification and you are studying at least 50% of a full time course (the equivalent to 60 credits per year). The support varies according to income and the intensity at which you are studying.

Both new and continuing part time students get the same government support. The fees for continuing students are different, but new students are entitled to a non means tested bursary of £770 from the University.

What support is available?

Student Loan

The maximum fees support that is available for part time students is based on the intensity at which you are studying. For example if you are taking 60 credits a year this is classed as 50% intensity. This is a grant, so you do not have to pay it back. This is paid direct to the University.

Summary of the maximum support:

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Eligibility

To be eligible for part time student support you must:

• Be studying at least 50% of a full-time course.
• Have been resident in UK for 3 years before the start of your course.

You will not eligible if:

• You already hold a first degree.
• You have been paid 8 student loans in connection with one or more part-time courses.
• You are in receipt of a Bursary or award from the Health Service.
• There is no upper age limit for this support. You can only get this support for one part time course. EU students can get help with fees but not course costs.
   

You will automatically be eligible for full support if in receipt of:

• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax benefit
• Income related Job Seekers allowance
• New Deal allowance
• Your gross Household income from all sources, excluding Tax credits and certain disregards is below £15,700.

If your income exceeds £15,700 your entitlement would be calculated on a sliding scale support stopping at an income (after disregards) of £26,180.

You would be assessed against your own income, and where appropriate, the income of your husband/wife or partner. If you are a single student under the age of 25, and living with parents, you would be assessed on your own income not your parent's income.

The following income disregards would apply:

• £2,000 allowance for husband/wife or partner.
• £2,000 for the only or eldest dependent child.
• £1,000 for each additional dependent child.
  
  

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Fees at Leeds

The fees you will pay depend on whether you are a new student or a continuing student.

New students
The fees for new part time students are £1535 per year. This is the same whatever the intensity of the course. We understand that the fees office will calculate your average intensity over the length that you are taking the course. This will be 50% for most part time courses at Leeds. This means that you will be able to apply for a maximum (dependant on income) of £765 from the government. You will also get a non repayable bursary from the University of £770, unless your fees are paid on your behalf by an employer (for example.)

Continuing students
The fees for continuing part time students (i.e. those who started their course before the 'top up' fees were introduced) are £610 per year. This is the same whatever the intensity of the course. We understand that the fees office will calculate your average intensity over the length that you are taking the course. This will be 50% for most part time courses at Leeds. This means that you will be able to apply for a maximum (dependant on income) of £600 from the government.

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How to apply

The application packs are be available online, or from the Life Long Learning Centre. You may apply not later than six months after the first day of your course. You will need to complete the PTG-1 form and then hand this in to the Lifelong Learning Centre.

If you are expecting the LEA to pay your fees you will not be able to complete the online registration until you have given in this form. You will be asked to sign an agreement that you will pay any fees not covered by LEA support. The University will stamp this form and return it to you. You may have to wait up to 2 weeks after the start of the course for them to do this.

When you have got the form back send it to your LEA with the required evidence (see the notes with the form). The fees grant will be paid direct the the University and the course grant will be paid into your bank.

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Additional funding availible for certain groups of students

Access to Learning Fund
The Access to Learning Fund is available for part time students studying for an undergraduate Certificate in Higher Education, Diploma or Degree. Visit the University pages about Access to Learning Fund

Benefits and tax credits
If you are claiming benefits you should inform the Benefits Agency of any change of circumstances when you start your course. If you are claiming JSA whilst studying it is important that you fulfil the job seeking criteria; i.e. that you are 'actively seeking and available for work' otherwise your payments may be affected. The Student Advice Centre can give specialist advice concerning benefits and tax credits.

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
If you are disabled you can apply for Disabled Students Allowance [DSA]. DSA's are available if you incur additional expenditure in respect of attendance on your course as a direct result of your disability. Financial assistance is available for:

• Items of specialist equipment.
• Travel costs as a result of a disability.
• Assistance towards the cost of a non-medical personal helper.
• General disability related costs if as a result of attending University.

You should contact your Local Education Authority for more information. Assessments are carried out by the University of Leeds Disability Services. Visit the disabilities service website.

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