Mature Students: Funding University And Future Prospects

Funding a university education as a mature student can be a daunting task, especially when balancing the demands of coursework and adult responsibilities such as mortgages and childcare. However, there are several funding sources available for mature students willing to explore various options. These include student loans, grants, scholarships, and financial support from employers. In the UK, mature students can apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans or Grants, which can cover course fees and living expenses. Additionally, universities may offer grants or scholarships, and mature students with children or dependent adults may be eligible for additional financial support. Similar opportunities exist in other countries, such as Ireland, where mature students can explore the Free Fees Initiative, the Student Grant Scheme, and the Back to Education Allowance.

Tuition Fee Loans

Students from England can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan regardless of where they choose to study in the UK. Students from Northern Ireland can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the yearly course costs wherever in the UK they choose to study. The maximum tuition fee is capped for students from Northern Ireland who study at a Northern Irish course provider. Students from Scotland and the EU (excluding England, Wales, or Northern Ireland) can study for free in Scotland as the Scottish Government pays the yearly course fee on their behalf. Scottish students who study elsewhere in the UK, however, will be charged the standard tuition fees for their chosen course provider but may apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Students from Wales can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of an undergraduate degree anywhere in the UK.

Part-time Tuition Fee Loans are also available and are not means-tested. There is no age limit for these loans, and they are available to students on courses with a 'course intensity' of 25% or higher. Repayments for Tuition Fee Loans are linked to the borrower's income after graduating and are taken automatically through the UK tax system. The earliest a borrower will be asked to start repaying their loan is either the April after their course finishes or the April four years after their course begins, whichever comes first.

Maintenance Loans and Grants

England

If you're studying in England, you can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs. The amount you receive depends on your household income and where you'll be living while studying. If you live with your parents, you can get up to £7,747 per year. If you live away from home outside of London, you can get up to £9,706 per year. And if you live away from home in London, you can get up to £12,382 per year.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, you can apply for both Maintenance Loans and Maintenance Grants. The amount you receive depends on your household income and where you'll be living while studying. If you live away from home outside of London, you can get up to £4,840 per year in loans and up to £2,757 per year in grants. If you live away from home in London, you can get up to £7,467 per year in loans and up to £3,494 per year in grants.

Scotland

Scotland offers different funding levels for independent and dependent ("young") students. Independent students with a household income between £21,000 and £23,999 can get up to £7,750 per year in loans and up to £1,875 per year in grants. Those with a household income between £24,000 and £33,999 can get up to £5,750 per year in loans and up to £4,400 per year in grants.

Wales

In Wales, all students with the same living arrangements receive the same amount of money, regardless of their household income. If you live away from home outside of London, you can get up to £9,488 per year, with £6,488 in loans and £3,000 in grants. If you live away from home in London, you can get up to £12,124 per year, with £8,524 in loans and £3,600 in grants.

Government funding

In the UK, mature students can apply for government funding through the Student Loans Company. This funding is split into two components: Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans. Tuition Fee Loans cover course fees, while Maintenance Loans are intended for living costs. The former is paid directly to the university or college, while the latter is paid to the student in three instalments per year (or in monthly payments in Scotland). There is no age limit for receiving a Tuition Fee Loan, but it is conditional on the student not having studied at degree level before.

The amount of funding a mature student is entitled to varies depending on a range of factors. For instance, students over 25 are considered independent, but students under 25 can also be considered independent if they have supported themselves financially for three years before the course starts, are a care leaver, are estranged from their parents, or have been married or in a civil partnership. The funding a mature student receives also depends on their household income, including their partner's income if they have one.

In addition to Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans, mature students may be eligible for extra support if they have children or adult dependents, or if they have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty. This extra support can include a Parents' Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants' Grant, or Disabled Students' Allowance.

Applications for student finance should be made as early as possible to ensure funding is in place before the start of the course.

Scholarships and bursaries

If you're over 25 or have been financially independent from your parents for three or more years, you are considered a mature student. Mature students can apply for government funding in the same way as younger students, but the amount you receive depends on your personal circumstances. If you are under 59, you can get the same package of support as other undergraduates, but your household income will be assessed based on your income or your partner's, not that of your parents. If you're 60 or over when you start your course, you can only get a loan for tuition fees, not living costs.

If you already have a degree, you are not eligible for a government loan unless you are studying specific vocational subjects such as teaching, social work, medicine, healthcare, or dentistry. Funding a second degree can be challenging, but there are thousands of smaller charities and trusts in the UK that offer educational or welfare grants. Each will have its own criteria, so be sure to research which ones you may be eligible for.

There are also an increasing number of scholarships and grants available for mature students, especially first-time students. You can find scholarships on the Blackbullion Funding Hub, which is the UK's largest scholarship collection, including some from top companies like Amazon and Nationwide that offer mentorship and job opportunities.

• Mature Students Scholarship: £3,000 for students over 25 studying at Goldsmith's College, University of London
• Access Entry Mature Students Bursary: £1,000 per year for each year of full-time undergraduate study for students over 21 at Royal Holloway with a household income of £25,000 or less
• Women Careers Foundation: Applicants must be female and over 21 (younger applicants taking music or dance courses are considered). Applicants must be UK citizens and apply in writing to the address provided on the website.
• Yorkshire Ladies Council for Education: For women from Leeds and Yorkshire over 21 who have a place at a British University but are unable to finance it themselves

Remember, even if you are a mature student, you may still be eligible for other scholarships that are not specific to a course or university, so be sure to explore all your options!

Individual grants

Mature students can access a range of individual grants to fund their university education. These grants are typically offered by governments, universities, charities, and private organisations. Here are some examples of individual grants:

Government Grants

Governments often provide financial support for mature students pursuing higher education. In the UK, mature students can apply for government funding in the same way as younger students, with the amount of support depending on their personal circumstances. The specific grants available can vary depending on the country within the UK where the student lives and where they plan to study.

For instance, students from England can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan regardless of where they choose to study in the UK. A means-tested Maintenance Loan is also available to all eligible students. Students from Northern Ireland who study at a Northern Irish course provider have their tuition fees capped, while those studying elsewhere in the UK can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan.

Scottish and EU students can study for free in Scotland, with the Scottish Government covering their yearly course fees. If Scottish students choose to study elsewhere in the UK, they can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and a means-tested Maintenance Loan.

Students from Wales can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and may also receive support for accommodation and living costs.

University Grants

Many universities and colleges also offer scholarships or bursaries to mature students. These grants may be merit-based, needs-based, or focused on supporting specific groups of students. It is worth checking the websites and contacting the student services of the universities you are interested in to explore the options available.

Private Grants

In addition to government and university grants, there are numerous private grants offered by charities and trusts. These grants often have specific eligibility criteria, and it is worth researching which organisations align with your background and interests. For example, the Women Careers Foundation offers grants to female students over the age of 21 who are UK citizens.

Specialised Grants

There are also grants available for students with specific needs or circumstances. For instance, the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides financial support for students with disabilities, while the Student Assistance Fund helps full-time or part-time students facing financial difficulties.

International Grants

For mature students interested in studying abroad, there are international grant opportunities. For instance, the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) offers grants for students studying in Ireland and Northern Ireland, while the Erasmus+ scheme and the Turing scheme provide funding for students studying in Europe.

In summary, mature students have a range of individual grant options available to fund their university education. These grants come from various sources, including governments, universities, charities, and private organisations, and each has its own eligibility criteria and application process. It is essential to research and apply for the grants that align with your personal circumstances and educational goals.

Frequently asked questions