Government Press Releases Why Not a Pure Graduate Tax? Moving toward a single combined grant for higher education Student Debt Paper

Income assessment For those with gross family income above £17,378, they have to pay a fraction of the £1,050 per year contribution. For a family with gross income of £28,505, they have to pay the full tuition fees (£1,050). It is estimated that one third of students will be exempted from fees, one third will pay a contribution, and one third will pay the full fees. Getting a loan, is a very easy process. Having taken one myself, i was very impressed at how fast i received the money, but remember you have to pay interest when you start paying back. As of recent, it comes to 2.1% per year. It takes approximately two weeks for the entire process. Maximum student loan in 2000/2001 fullyear final year students London £4,590 £3,980 Elsewhere £3,725 £3,230 At parents home £2,950 £2,575 Repayment of Student Loan NB. You will not have to make repayments while your income is below the threshold of £10,000 Income each year Monthly repayment Repayment as a % of income up to £10,000 Nil Nil £11,000 £7 0.8% £12,000 £15 1.5% £15,000 £37 3.0% £17,000 £52 3.7% £20,000 £75 4.5% For free copies of Financial support for higher education students in 2001/01: Free phone 0800 731 9133 For free textphone service : 0800 210 280 Copies are also available in Braille, audiotape and in the welsh language.

Useful Contacts Free copy of "financial support in higher education" by thedepartment for education and employment can be got by ringing : 0800 731 9133. Students loans : - most full-time students are eligible for the student loan. For more information, write to: The student Loans company LTD 100 Bothwell street, Glasgow G2 7JD or ring:- 0141 306 2000 or visit their website at SLC Inland revenue -- how to pay back your students loans after your further education The welfare Unit NUS 461 Holloway Road, London N7 6LJ. For a free copy of the booklet "Student loans" guidance on terms and conditions ring the free phone number: 0800 731 9133 For a free copy of "A guide to the disabled students' allowances in higher education" Call the student support information line on 0800 731 9133. Free copy of the booklet "Student support in Scotland", write to student award agency for scotland Gyleview House 3 Redheughs Rigg South Gyle Edinburgh EH12 9HH or visit SAAS For Wales Welsh office education department FHE1 Division, 4th floor, Cathays park Cardiff, CF1 3NQ or call 01222 825 831 Non UK EU students should write to DfEE's European team, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road Darlington, Co. Durham, DL3 9BG or call 01325 391 199. A guide to university scholarships and Awards. This book is written by Brian Heap. (Price £9.99) Lists scholarships avaliable to students from universities and other organisations. Write to Trotman and company LTD, 12 Hill Rise, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6UA Sponsorship for students 1999 (price £8.99> Contains about 2500 scholarships and bursaries. write to Customer services, Bibilo PDS LTD, Star Road, Partridge Green, West Sussex, RH13 8LD or call 01403 71 0851. Tuition fees applies to higher education courses, such as degrees, and some college courses. You can acquire more information from your local education authority or your local county council. Try and make sure you are well informed before applying for your college or university place. your local education authority decides whether you are eligible for financial help with fees and living cost and how much you are entitled to. For more details, visit your local educational authority.

Other contacts Students and income tax You need to know something about it, so that you don't pay more than you need to, especially when you don't have much cash. Student workers are refered to as "class 1 caseworker". Contribution by : Caroline Murphy Contact Centre Advisor, Inland Revenue I dont believe they call student workers "class 1 caseworkers". "class 1 caseworkers", is the name of the section within the Inland Revenue which deals with Class 1 National Insurance queries. Although students are exempt from National Insurance Contributions, if you are studying for more than 5 years (not including ages 16,17,18) your Pension may be afftected. E.g. Between the ages 16-65 is 49 years of working life. You only need 44 years of NIC's to qualify for a full state pension. This leaves you with a 5 year 'buffer' to accomodate for going abroad and being a student. So any more than five years spent doing either, or both put together can result a lower pension. Most people are notified that they have shortfalls in their NICs by recieving a shortfall letter from the Inland Revenue. Helplines This site contains financial and employment helplines Problems at work (Discipline, employment, contracts, maternity rights, dismissals , discrimination, or anyother work place problems) Ring "acas" at 01252 811 868 -- confidential and impartial information for employers and employees.

Banks and their offers "Barclays" Free £20 Waterstone's/HMV vouchers when you open your account with £500 Apply for an interest-free overdraft of up to £1,500* (depending on year of study) Year 1 up to £1,000 Year 2 up to £1,250 Year 3 (and above) up to £1,500 Student Barclaycard with up to £600 credit limit and £30 Waterstone's/ HMV voucher when you first use your Barclaycard Estimated 22 campus branches "Natwest" You can apply for an interest-free overdraft facility of up to £1,250 in your first year, which you can apply to increase in subsequent years, Or if rail travel is not your thing, by applying online you can choose a £55 cash alternative instead. . Get a free 5-year Young Persons Railcard worth £100 when you open a Student Account Estimated 46 campus branches "Lloyds TSB" an interest free overdraft of up to £1,000 in your first year at university, £1,250 in year two, £1,500 in year three and up to £2,000 in years four and five* Estimated 21 campus branches Discounted computer software and video games 6 vouchers for 2 curries for the price of one at over 800 participating restaurants all over the UK 6 vouchers for 2 fish and chip meals for the price of 1 16% discount off selected bikes and 17.5% discount on selected accessories at www.wheelies.co.uk 10% off the normal RRP on books at Blackwell's online. "HSBC ( formerly Known as Midlands )" Interest free overdraft of £1500 Apply before 21 August 2004 to get your free 5-year Young Persons Railcard* (worth £100). If you require trains for your journeys, the railcard offer is recommended. Graduates can also access 100% mortgages of up to four times their salary. "Halifax" No incentives Interest free under £1000 Once a graduate, only £100 is interest free Estimated 31 campus branches "Abbey National" NO Incentives Top

Bank's small prints It is worth asking what the charges will be for going over the agreed overdraft limit. Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland impose high interest rates of 29.8 per cent. In addition to it's 24.9 per cent rate, Halifax demands a £10 fee from students going into the red more than once a month or for two consecutive days. HSBC and Natwest have better overdraft rates at 16.9 and 17.8 percent respectively. Barclays claims it's credit card is NUS-approved but this is only because it has a capped spending limit compared with the other banks. Similarly, Lioyds TSB will pay out £40 only to existing customers or their children. And those applying in Jersey for an Asset credit card must be 20, not 18. Source: Daily express

Recommended book * The money zone (priced £15.99)* Written by Debbie harrison of the financial times. The book concentrates on everything you need to know about student finance. From your financial problems from day one to your first mortgage. I have the privilage of owning one. It is a relevant book to have on your shelf. Highly recommended by SNB To order one, You may either email me at themoneyzone@studentinfor.bizland.com or contact : Pearson Education Slaidburn Crescent Southport PR9 9YF United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1704 508080 Fax: +44 (0)1704 506685 E-mail: order@pearsoned-ema.com Please remember to include http://www.studentinfor.bizland.com as your reference.