Independent students and loans

**timeout** · 05-03-2008, 06:48 PM

Hello,

I'm a graduate and will be 25 by the time the next academic year starts and classed as an independent student which means my parents income will not be assessed when applying for a loan.

I've worked part-time until now but will be starting clinics next year and won't be able work. This also means that my income will be zero (apart from maintenence loan).

Will this mean that I might be entitled to help with my fees? or just that I might get a little more on top of the standard, non-assessed maintenence loan?

I would be greatful to know what help others in this position recieved.

Thanks

**Victoria09** · 05-03-2008, 07:11 PM

Unfortunately, no. If you're a graduate (and your first degree was from the UK) you won't get any assistance for fees on the standard 5-yr programmes (only the final year which is DoH funded), just the maintenance loan for living costs. But if you get into a GEP you will have to pay fees only for the first year, for years 2-4 you should get the NHS means-tested bursary for living costs, and the DoH cover the fees. It sucks, I know - if you don't have any savings you will probably have to get commercial loans to pay the fees. All this is assuming that you're from England- I think the rules for Scottish and Welsh graduates going to Scottish/Welsh med schools are slightly different.

**simple** · 05-03-2008, 07:18 PM

just wondered, the fees for the first year of gep courses, are they normal undergraduate fees i.e. around 3000 or does the government not subsidise it meaning you have to pay basically international fees?

**Victoria09** · 05-03-2008, 07:34 PM

They should be normal undergrad fees- I know the government has tried to raise fees for grads to the full, international student fee, but I think medicine is going to be exempt from that.

**simple** · 05-03-2008, 07:37 PM

i hope so otherwise im going to have a problem!

**Victoria09** · 05-03-2008, 08:05 PM

you, me and hundreds of others I imagine...

**algy_lacey** · 05-03-2008, 11:47 PM

Are you certain you will be classed as an independent student? I thought the age discrimination act had kicked in now, so that being 25+ when you start your degree is now no longer enough. "Independence" was going to be on the basis of having worked full time for three years, or being married, or having dependents, and possibly something else.

Anyone else know if that is the case now? I thought it was last year as well to be honest, but I'm not certain (as I fell a couple of years short anyway...)

**Victoria09** · 06-03-2008, 12:13 AM

I was classed as independent when I was 18- but that was ten years ago. I'm not sure if it's relevant for graduates anyway because they will only get maintenance loans.

**Victoria09** · 06-03-2008, 12:21 AM

I just had a closer look at the OP- I think he/she is already at med school, which makes it a bit different. I think they base your status on your circumstances when you first apply.

Timeout- I think you'd be better off contacting your LEA for advice!

**tcdlewis** · 06-03-2008, 12:54 AM

But all universities this year now have bursaries for students that are all means tested against your parents income. Ive worked for about 10 months now since I graduated and am 24 so I will be applying for my student maintenance et cetera as if Im dependent on my parents income.