Presentation Transcript

1. Welcome and Programme Introductions Applications – Mr I Price Finance – Mrs P Shann Questions
2. Overview of Support Tutorial programme Pastoral team Form tutors Higher Education Day Higher Education Evening Leeds HE Day - UCAS Convention
3. Key Dates Year 12 Summer Term – Research – 1st Draft of personal statement 15 Oct 2013 – Oxbridge, Medical, Veterinary, Dentistry 19 Nov 2013 – School deadline for all applications 15 Jan 2014 – UCAS deadline
4. SPECIALIST ADMISSIONS IN MUSIC, DANCE AND DRAMA CUKAS (Conservatoires UK Admissions Service) Application system is very like UCAS but with some important differences Music application deadline is OCTOBER 1ST2013 (IF STARTING IN 2014) Dance and Drama deadline in usually same as UCAS – check prospectus. In addition to the school subject reference, you also need a ‘specialism’ reference (to be arranged through Mrs Shann). Offers are made differently: they can be ‘guaranteed’ or ‘reserve’ (which means you are on a waiting list). Full details from Mrs Shann if you decide to apply through CUKAS
5. The successful UCAS application
6. Reasons For Success Good advice; accepted by students Early application Good personal statements Detailed references Thorough preparation for interview A broad curriculum and good results
7. UCAS apply Maximum 5 choices A good personal statement A detailed reference Predicted grades The application form
8. Advice Think carefully about choices Do not mix courses or apply for 3 different courses at one university Check universities’ entry requirements carefully (aptitude tests for some courses in Law, Medicine, Dentistry) Be realistic!
9. Advice Look carefully at institutions’ numbers i.e. 35 applications for each place as opposed to 5 Visit your top 3 choices Early application Oxbridge, veterinary, dentistry and medical course A gap year? Deferred entry
10. Advantages of early application Early interviews Early offers - sets targets & increases motivation Concentrate on studies In many highly competitive institutions 33% of offers go to the first 15% of applications
11. Agoodpersonalstatement ...
12. Acomprehensivereference ...
13. Mock Interview With a senior member of staff Performance debrief & advice In the week before your interview See Mrs Shann
14. Timetable - June/July Year 12 Visit to Higher Education Fair Higher Education Day UCAS apply Personal statement completed References begun by subject tutors Exam grades given - guide for choice Visits to Open Days!
15. Timetable – Year 13 Forms, personal statements and references completed Forms processed From October - mock & real interviews October to March - offers Decisions on two final choices (late April) August 2014 - results & confirmation of offers (IB July 2014)
16. Universities’ requirements Specified A level grades in 3 designated subjects (plus specified AS level grade). Specified A level grade in 1 designated subject + specified grades in choice of others (may include General Studies) Total IB score and specified score in particular subject (24-45 points)
17. Universities’ requirements Specified grades across all subjects (may include General Studies and/or a mix of A levels and AS levels) Total points offer (may include General Studies and additional AS)
18. A Level Points A*=140 A = 120 B = 100 C = 80 D = 60 E = 40 AS = counts as half points shown
19. Offer of university places Acceptances 1 firm and 1 conditional (insurance) Recommendation That insurance should be appreciably lower and carefully considered
20. Mrs P. Shann Assistant Director of Sixth Form
21. Higher Education – what are the costs? Tuition Fees Accommodation & Food Other living expenses (travel, books, clothes, spending, etc.)
22. Tuition Fee Loan Maintenance Loan Maintenance Grant National Scholarship Programme Disabled Students’ Allowance Part time job / own savings / parents help? Where will the money come from?
23. Tuition Fee Loan Maintenance Loan Maintenance Grant National Scholarship programme Disabled Students’ Allowance REPAYABLE NON REPAYABLEto ‘Student Finance England’ (SFE)
24. Tuition Fee Loan ~ (for Sept 2013 entry) This is the yearly amount universities will charge students to study. They vary by university and also by course, but the maximum that new full-time students can be charged is £9,000 a year (fixed for 2014/15 entry) Universities that want to charge more than £6,000 have to make sure that students from all income groups have access to their courses Full amountcan be borrowed as ‘Tuition Fee Loan’ each year, and is only paid back when student is earning above £21,000 annual salary The SFE pay these Fees direct to the University – not into student bank account Can be paid ‘up front’ by parents / student if desired
25. To cover the cost of accommodation, food and living Paid at the start of each term – direct to the student bank account Maximum available is £5,500 each year (£7,675 for living & studying in London) For students living at home, the maximum is £4,375 65% of the max. is guaranteed to all students The remaining 35% is ‘means tested’ according to joint parental income This will be added to the Tuition Fee Loan and paid back as one amount Maintenance Loan ~ (figures for Sept 2013 entry: expected to be plus 1`% for 2014/15 entry)
26. Means Testing ~ The SFE will take into account the gross combined parental income (or of one parent and their partner) less certain allowances (e.g. pension contributions, allowances for younger siblings, etc) – this is then known as your ‘residual income’ Based on earnings for the previous tax year (eg. April 2012 to April 13 if student applying to study in 2014/15) If you expect a 15% drop or more in income, then you can ask to be assessed on the current tax year
27. Loan Repayments ~ Repayments will only start when the student is earning above £21,000 The ‘loan interest rate’ will be inflation (RPI) + max. 3% 9% of income earned above £21,000 is paid back each year through automatic salary deduction at source e.g. income £21,000 – monthly repayment £0 income £24,000 – monthly repayment £23 income £27,000 – monthly repayment £45 Repayments stop if salary falls below £21,000 at any time Outstanding repayments are written off after 30 years from when you start to pay it back No penalty for early repayment of student loan This student loan will not show on credit files nor affect future credit ratings
28. Maximum available will be £3,354 per year for students starting in 2013 ‘Means tested’ according to household income Currently residual incomes less than £25,000 receive the full grant Between £25,001 and £42,611 receive a partial grant Those households with a residual income over £42,611 will not be eligible for this grant. Paid in 3 instalments, at the start of each term If you receive a Maintenance grant your Maintenance Loan will be reduced (ratio of £1 to 50p). Therefore more non repayable grant = less repayable loan Non Repayable Finance ~Maintenance Grant: (expected to be plus 1% for entry 2014/15)
29. £150m National Scholarship programme to help students from lower income families. (income up to £25,000) This may include reduced or waived tuition fees, or free accommodation for example. Each university will decide what support they’ll offer so you need to check and see what your chosen university is offering and whether you’re eligible. The individual details are available on university and college websites Non Repayable Finance ~National Scholarship Programme:
30. NHS courses are currently eligible for a bursary from the ‘NHS Student Bursaries Scheme’ Application forms and a downloadable booklet - ‘Financial help for Health Care Students’ - are available on www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students where full details on NHS finance is available You can also get further advice by phoning 0845 358 6655 for NHS bursaries Non Repayable Finance ~NHS Bursary :
31. As well as a general allowance each year, finance is available for specialist equipment, travel costs, etc. There is a specific guide called ‘Bridging the Gap’ with full details of eligibility and what is available (tel. 0800 731 9133) The following websites have further information – www.disabilityrightsuk.org www.ucas.com (student section) Non Repayable Finance ~Disabled Students’ Allowance :
32. How do I apply? Students & parents complete an online application form at www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk - from January 2014 (students will also receive summary information for parents in January, with the correct finance figures for 2014/15) The website also offers an online demo and presentation, taking you through the whole application process There is also an ‘entitlement calculator ‘ where you can calculate a rough estimate of loans/grants likely to be available to you Following receipt of your application, ‘Student Finance England’ will inform you of all the financial support that is available to you
33. IMPORTANT- You MUST complete a ‘student finance application’ in order to receive the Tuition Fee payment to the university, even if you are sure that you are not eligible for any further financial help - if not you may be required to pay the entire Tuition fee (which is in reality more than the maximum £9,000 Universities may be asking for) and students would not then be eligible for a loan during that year
34. Students should try to take up a part time job in their holidays and save money for Uni whenever they can Open a new ‘student bank account’ (banks will require your ‘offer letter’ from the Uni as evidence before you can do this) A railcard is the best ‘free gift’ from a bank! Get an NUS card as soon as possible after Uni term starts, for lots of local, national and international student discounts If necessary, organise a part time job as early as possible – every uni has a ‘job agency’ When you know how much money is available to you, try and calculate a weekly/monthly budget plan before arriving at University Helpful advice ~(for students and parents)
35. Avoid credit cards – leave them at home Contract mobile phone – make sure you know who’s footing the bill Avoid taking small amounts of cash from the ‘hole in the wall’ on a regular basis – can be a new student’s biggest downfall Keep track of your finances each week and don’t think that you are loaded when the first payment goes into your account You are likely to need more money at the start of your course for things like ‘Fresher's Week’, sports membership, going out more with new friends, equipment, etc. Helpful advice ~(for students and parents)
36. Further Information For the most up to date and correct information visit www.bis.gov.uk/studentfinance For general enquiries call ‘Student Finance England’ on 0800 300 50 90 (Mon to Fri: 8am to 8pm; Sat and Sun: 9am to 5.30pm) www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/resources/201314-resources.aspx for an online finance calculator Pick up the ‘NHS information sheet’ here if relevant Feel free to take any of my remaining 2013/14 ‘money matters’ brochures