Am I getting enough from my student loans?

When you first head to uni, there are a few things that you are forced to figure out by yourself, having had no experience in the past. One of the most common questions we get at HYBR is “what is a student loan.” Everyone struggles to get to grips with and yet it can be the most valuable to you! The great thing is, once explained to you, the whole process becomes a whole lot easier. 

Let’s first start with the two types of student loan. Tuition Loan vs. Maintenance Loan.

Tuition Loan:

A student loan which is paid straight from the Government to the University at the start of the year. It pays for your studying at the University. In most cases it comes to £9,250.

Maintenance Loan:

A student loan is paid from the Government to students in 3 equal instalments at the start of each term. It pays for any extra costs you might incur while studying at the uni (see below). This loan can vary from £4,500-12,000 depending on the living situation of the student. 

You can apply for both, or just one of these loans via this link. Click “start now”, create an account and follow the instructions. 

A Tuition Loan is relatively simple as everyone gets the same and as students we don’t see any of that money, it simply goes to the Uni to pay for our course.

What determines my student loan?

However, many students end up missing out on a larger Maintenance Loan simply because they don’t realise that they are entitled to more! The Maintenance Loan is there to help pay for; accommodation, food, commuting, bills, books etc. Of course, these costs can be greater or larger depending on your living situation. The Maintenance Loan takes this into consideration. 

Here are the factors which could qualify you for a greater Maintenance Loan :

• Lower household income
• Caring for a child
• A family member financially dependent on you
• Disabilities
• Studying abroad 
• Living with a single parent.

So when it asks if you want a larger maintenance loan and you think you fall into any of the above categories, don’t be afraid to make the most of it. It will help you alleviate some of those financial pressures of being a Uni student and I can assure you, you’ll be happy to take all the help you can get!

If you have any further questions about loans or anything University related, please email us at hello@hybr.co.uk. We’d be very happy to answer any questions you have for us, we’ve been there! 

If you’re also interested in finding your perfect accommodation while at Uni, we have many great options that may well appeal to you. Visit https://www.hybr.co.uk/