The Bursary

[scout]

Hey guys,

for the graduate entry 4 year courses i hear that the DoH will pay your fees AND give you a bursary on top. I've scoured the internet trying to find out how much this bursary is, but can't seem to find the answer. Does anyone know how much they give you?

I also read somewhere that you are entitled to take out 50% of a student loan in years 2-4. Anyone know how much this works out to be?

[amy2705598]

The NHS bursary site http://www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk/ has some good information

Amount (£ per year)
London 3,225.00
Elsewhere 2,672.00
Parent's Home 2,231.00

Extra Weeks' Attendance (over 30 weeks, 3 days)
Amount (£ per year)
London Rate £ 100.00
Elsewhere £ 78.00
Parent's Home Rate £ 52.00

NHS Bursaries for students studying on Allied Health Professional courses are subject to full income-assessment. This means that, where appropriate your income, and that of your parents, your spouse, partner or civil partner may be taken into account, and the amount of maintenance grant available to you may be reduced in proportion to their income, net of allowable deductions.

[pipedreamer]

I'm an independent student outside of London. I get the bursary amount stated above and a student loan of approximately £2000.

You can also get an increased bursary if you are older, have dependent children etc. but I don't know if or how that affects the student loan.

[scout]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm just trying to work out the whole finances thing before applying to med school so i know how much money i need to save before applying. Pipedreamer, do the student loans people offer you a £2000 student loan every year for all 4 years of the course?

[midnite-oil]

If you look on the NHS website, be VERY CAREFUL that you find the right bit for medicine - you need the booklet for 'Continuing students' as medical degrees don't get funded from the NHS at the beginning.

They are NOT ' Allied Health Professional courses' ..... but ARE income-assessed.

Degree students also get LESS than diploma students. (Logic is medical students can also get a student loan I believe)

[fay t]

What would happen if someone's parents were earning above the threshold for them to receive any bursary but said they wouldn't pay anything towards it- I'll be in this situation if I get onto a GEP course. Would there be any way of declaring myself as independent of my parents?

[tinsel]

As far as i'm aware all home students are entitled to the NHS bursary, regardless of parent's or spouse's income, and the same with student loans up to the minimum amount.

[midnite-oil]

As far as i'm aware all home students are entitled to the NHS bursary, regardless of parent's or spouse's income, and the same with student loans up to the minimum amount.

If you're eligible then you get the fees paid regardless of income, but no, unless you're independent the bursary is definitely means-tested.

"If your parent(s), spouse or civil partner do not wish to declare their income when you apply for your bursary, they may choose to opt for a ‘fees only’ assessment on the bursary application form. This means that the NHS will meet your tuition fee contribution in full but you will not receive a maintenance grant and will not be entitled to claim for any of the additional allowances (with the exception of DSA). " (NHS website)

Unfortunately, you cannot declare yourself independent from parents unless you meet their strict criteria, eg "permanently estranged". I think "my parents won't pay up because they've had enough of me studying and think I should go and get a proper job/ want to spend their money on themselves etc" sadly isn't enough. Bank loans / part-time job / academic prizes / joining the army?

[fay t]

If you're eligible then you get the fees paid regardless of income, but no, unless you're independent the bursary is definitely means-tested.

"If your parent(s), spouse or civil partner do not wish to declare their income when you apply for your bursary, they may choose to opt for a ‘fees only’ assessment on the bursary application form. This means that the NHS will meet your tuition fee contribution in full but you will not receive a maintenance grant and will not be entitled to claim for any of the additional allowances (with the exception of DSA). " (NHS website)

Unfortunately, you cannot declare yourself independent from parents unless you meet their strict criteria, eg "permanently estranged". I think "my parents won't pay up because they've had enough of me studying and think I should go and get a proper job/ want to spend their money on themselves etc" sadly isn't enough. Bank loans / part-time job / academic prizes / joining the army?

Yep thanks that's how I thought the bursary works, which is a pain really as I won't get anything under means testing. I guess 4 year courses are still worth it though just to get the fees paid for 3 years and not to incur the living costs of an extra year. Think I will just have to get a bank loan :-)