How to finance your course

There are two parts to the Student Loan – the Tuition Fee Loan and the Maintenance Loan.

Most full-time undergraduate students who pay fees for their university tuition choose to take out a loan to cover this cost. This is called the Tuition Fee Loan. This is not means-tested and Home and EU students studying for their first degree (who are on eligible programmes) can apply. The money is paid directly to the university.

International students and those who have an 'equivalent level qualification' are not eligible for this loan.

Students studying NHS-sponsored programmes - such as nursing, midwifery and Occupational Therapy - will have their tuition fees paid for by their sponsor.

Part-time students should apply for their funding on the PTG1 form available from www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance|. Please note that PTG1 forms are normally made available from August each year. There is a section that the university has to sign and stamp. This process cannot take place until you have been fully enrolled on your programme for at least two weeks.

Please note:
There have been changes to the Student Loan Company services.

• The Student Finance England service for new full-time students will open on 16 March 2011, with a deadline for submitting applications of 31 May 2011.
• The Student Finance England service for returning full-time students will open on 14 February 2011, with a deadline for submitting applications of 30 June 2011.

For more information about tuition fee loans, please visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance|

UK undergraduate students in full-time study (who do not receive a NHS non-means-tested bursary) can also apply for a Maintenance Loan.

72% of the Maintenance Loan is non-means-tested and the remaining 28% is means-tested and dependent upon family income. In order to receive the full loan, students will need to opt into means-testing and produce evidence of family income.

Students can also apply for a Maintenance Grant, which is funded by the government. Unlike loans, these funds do not need to be paid back and are only provided to students from lower income backgrounds.

Please note:
There have been changes to the Student Loan Company services.

• The Student Finance England service for new full-time students will open on 16 March 2011, with a deadline for submitting applications of 31 May 2011.
• The Student Finance England service for returning full-time students will open on 14 February 2011, with a deadline for submitting applications of 30 June 2011.

For more information about maintenance loans, please visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance|

Full-time 'home' students on BA (Hons) Social Work programmes should apply for their Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans through the direct.gov website|. Please note that Social Work students are not eligible for the Canterbury Christ Church University Bursary but can apply for a Social Work Bursary. Details and application forms are available from www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students|.

Home students on Interprofessional Learning programmes who are studying for a Diploma can apply for a non-means tested bursary to cover living costs. There are also additional allowances available, such as the means-tested dependants allowance and childcare grants, for those who are eligible. Further bursary information and all the funding application forms, can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students|.

Home students on Interprofessional Learning programmes who are studying for a degree (other than Social Work) can apply for a means-tested bursary and a reduced Student Maintenance Loan. Information regarding the Bursary and application forms can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students|. Students can apply for the loan the direct.gov website|. You will need to apply for the means-tested bursary and the loan each year that you are on the programme.

If you wish to study a full-time PGCE, you should apply for the Student Loans Company financial package on the PN1 form available from the direct.gov website|. You should indicate on this form if you require help with childcare and you will be sent an additional application form for this purpose.

If you wish to study your PGCE part-time, please visit the direct.gov website| to review your funding options.

Please also remember to complete your CRB checks and submit your Health Questionnaires, as failure to do so can delay the payment of your bursary or Student Loan.

Home students may be eligible to apply to the Access to Learning Fund if they find that their essential student expenditure exceeds their income.

Information about this is available from the direct.gov website|.

You can find out more about the Access to Learning Fund once you are registered on your programme at the university.

The university provides a guide intended to help overseas students organise the payment of tuition fees, accommodation fees and any other fees that they may be required to pay. Terms and conditions relating to debts, sanctions and complaints are also included so that overseas students are fully informed before entering into a contractual commitment.

If you have any queries about the information contained in this guide please contact Exchequer Services|. Students who are experiencing financial difficulties in paying tuition or accommodation fees are encouraged to seek help at the earliest opportunity.

The Student Finance Guide 2010/2011 is available as a PDF document in the Things to do now section of this webpage.