Part-Time Students: University Fees And Payment Plans

Part-time students often have to pay tuition fees, and in the UK, they can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover these costs. The loan is paid directly to the university or college and must be paid back. The amount a student can receive depends on several factors, including the fees charged by the institution, the student's living arrangements, household income, and course intensity. Students should check with their university or college to understand the specific fees and funding options available to them.

Tuition fee loans for part-time students

Part-time students can apply for tuition fee loans to cover the costs charged by their university or college. The amount of loan available depends on the course intensity, the type of university or college, and when the course started.

Course Intensity

The course intensity measures the percentage of the course completed each year compared to a full-time course. Part-time students must be studying at a course intensity of at least 25% of the equivalent full-time course to be eligible for a tuition fee loan.

University or College

The amount of loan available also depends on whether the student is studying at a publicly or privately funded university or college. Private universities or colleges may charge higher fees, and it is the student's responsibility to pay the difference.

When the Course Started

The amount of loan available also depends on when the course started. For courses starting on or after 1 September 2012, students can get a fee grant of up to £6,935.

Repayment

Any loan borrowed must be paid back, starting from April four years after the course start date or the April after the student finishes or leaves the course, whichever comes first. Repayments are only required if the student's income is over the repayment threshold.

Application

To apply for a tuition fee loan, students must register and create an online account. They will need to provide proof of identity and may be asked for additional evidence to support their application. Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/studentfinance.

Course intensity requirements for loans

The course intensity requirements for loans vary depending on where you live. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you may be able to get a loan if your course intensity is at least 25% of the equivalent full-time course. In Scotland, the requirement is more stringent, with students needing to study at an intensity of at least 50% to be eligible for a Tuition Fee Grant.

The course intensity is calculated by comparing the number of module credits you will study with the number of module credits a full-time student will study. For example, if a full-time course consists of eight modules per semester, and you are studying four modules per semester, you will be charged 50% of the full-time fees per year.

To be eligible for a loan, your course must also meet certain duration requirements. It must not take longer than four times the length of the equivalent full-time course to complete, up to a maximum of 16 years.

If you are studying a part-time distance learning course, you may only be able to get a Maintenance Loan if you are doing so because of a disability.

It is important to check with your university or college if you are unsure about whether your course meets the intensity requirements for a loan.

Tuition fee payment deadlines

Payment Plans:

Many universities offer payment plans that allow students to pay their tuition fees in instalments. For example, at Illinois State University, students can choose between 3-, 4-, or 5-month payment plans for each semester.

Deadlines for Each Payment:

The University of Toronto provides an example of specific tuition fee payment deadlines. For their Fall-Winter session (September to April), the fee billing starts on July 15, with a deadline to register by paying or obtaining a tuition deferral. The Fall term payment deadline is in the Fall, the Winter term payment deadline is in the Winter, and the final deadline for full payment is in April. Monthly service charges may apply for unpaid fees, typically billed on the 15th of each month.

Instalments:

Universities often divide tuition fee payments into multiple instalments. For instance, at the University of Toronto, 25% of the tuition fee is due at the start of terms one and two, and the remaining 50% is due at the start of term three.

Timing of Payments:

Tuition fee payments are typically due at the start of each term or semester. For example, at the University of Toronto, the Fall-Winter session fee billing starts in July, and the Summer session fee billing starts in mid-April.

It's important to note that these are just examples, and tuition fee payment deadlines can vary significantly between universities. Students should refer to their specific university's guidelines and payment schedules to ensure they meet the required deadlines.

Tuition fee loan repayment

Tuition fee loans have to be paid back, but repayment doesn't start until the April four years after the start of your course, or the April after you finish or leave your course (whichever comes first). You also only need to start paying back your loan when your income is over the repayment threshold.

The repayment plan you're on will determine when you start repaying and how much you repay. There are four types of undergraduate student loan repayment plans: Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, and Plan 5. The plan you are on depends on where you're from and when you started university.

Although the repayment structures for Plan 1, 2, 4, and 5 loans are different, they have one thing in common: they're all manageable. You'll only ever repay 9% of your income over a threshold. This threshold is £24,990 for Plan 1, £27,295 for Plan 2, £31,395 for Plan 4, and £25,000 for Plan 5. If your income falls below the threshold, you stop repaying. In other words, if you earn more, you repay more; if you earn less, you repay less.

You don't start repaying your student loan until either the April after you graduate or the April four years after the start of your course (whichever is earliest). This means that you could potentially start repaying the loan while you're still studying if you're earning over the repayment threshold.

Student loan repayments don't affect your credit score, so they won't have a significant impact on your ability to get a mortgage. However, they will be factored into your affordability rating, which measures your monthly incomings and outgoings to decide whether you can afford mortgage repayments. As the repayments are a small percentage of your income, the impact will be minimal.

Your student loan debt will eventually be written off, likely between 25 to 40 years after you first become eligible to repay (the first April after you graduate). The year it's written off is unaffected by how much or how little you've repaid.

There's a chance that you'll never repay your student loan in full. For example, it's estimated that only 27% of students from England who started in 2022/23 will repay their loans in full. However, for students who started in 2023/24, it's estimated that 65% will.

Tips for Repaying Your Loan

Keep up with updates to your loan's terms and conditions, and remember that interest rates tend to change each year. As the terms are usually quite favourable, you should think carefully about whether it's worth repaying your student loan early (it often isn't).

Additional costs and funding

Part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan to help with the costs of university fees and living expenses. The Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to your university or college, and the Maintenance Loan is paid into your bank account. Both loans will need to be paid back.

The amount of loan you can get depends on several factors, including where you live while studying, your household income, and the intensity of your course. The 'course intensity' measures how much of your course you complete each year compared to an equivalent full-time course. If your course has a 'course intensity' of 25% or more, you may be able to get a loan.

You can also apply for a Tuition Fee Loan if your course started before 1 August 2018, with a maximum loan of £6,935 per academic year.

It's important to note that you must report any changes to your living arrangements to ensure you receive the correct amount of student finance.

For self-funded students, payment deadlines and instalment options are available. For example, autumn starters must pay at least one-third of their fee amount before 31 October to avoid issues with enrolment or accessing academic services.

Additionally, scholarships, grants, and bursaries may be available to provide further financial support.

Frequently asked questions