Tuition Fee Loans will allow full-time HE students to borrow up to £9,000 to cover their course tuition costs, paid directly to the College by the Student Loans Company. The tuition fee loan is available to home and EU students and is not means-tested. It does not have to be paid back until the student is earning above a specific level.

This is a means-tested non-repayable allowance, intended to help cover living and study costs for full-time HE students. The amount payable will vary depending on the level of household income. Currently, students with household incomes of £19,203 or less (including independent students) will receive the full £3,475 Maintenance Grant. If the household income is between £19,203 and £41,065, a partial grant is paid.

The Student Maintenance Loan is to help with the living costs of a full-time HE student. The amount of loan will vary; however, a student can receive up to £4,840 per annum living away from home and £3,750 per annum living at home.

Please note if a student is entitled to a Maintenance Grant, they can also receive a Maintenance Loan but the maximum amount of loan they can receive will be reduced.

Full-time HE Home students with children may be entitled to a childcare allowance if the child is being looked after by a registered childminder. The maximum Childcare Grant for continuing students studying in the academic year 2024/2025 is:

• £148.75 per week for one child; or
• £255 per a week for two or more children.

Students aged 18 years or over whose circumstances have changed since enrolment and find themselves in Financial Hardship, may receive help from the SRC Hardship Fund only if they have exhausted all other sources of finance. Students should complete a Hardship Fund application form and return to Campus Services on their campus. Applications will only be accepted when fully completed and supported with all the relevant evidence attached and signed off by the course tutor. Hardship Fund is an exhaustible fund.

Part time students may be entitled to a partial refund of fees for Certified courses if they meet the criteria below:

• Student aged 18 years old or over can apply, or students can apply on or after their 18th birthday.
• Must not be repeating and show academic progression. All forms must be signed by the course tutor.
• Household income between £22,930 and £33,950 could be eligible for assistance with fees paid and also maintenance support.
• Student must pay tuition and exam/registration fees at time of enrolment. Student can complete a Part-Time Fees Assistance Form to claim percentage refund for fees paid.
• In exceptional circumstances where a student cannot pay fees upfront, the student must speak with the Campus Services Coordinator.
• Courses that are 6 hours or more per week, may receive money towards travel. Students must fully complete the course related needs assessment section of the application.
• HE students may be entitled to travel costs only from the Hardship Fund.
• Students in receipt of EMA may be eligible for equipment costs for their course.
• Receipts must be provided and verified by your tutor, for equipment purchased for your course i.e. Hairdressing and Beauty Kits.

Please note, hardship payments are dependent on student attendance.

Find out more at http://hardship.src.ac.uk/ (link only available within College).

Full-time and part-time HE students who seek additional support as a result of a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty are required to make an application for ‘Disabled Students’ Allowance’ (DSA) before the College can put support arrangements in place.

Please note, it is essential that you apply for DSA prior to commencing your course so that your support can be made available upon commencement of your course.

Students must apply for DSA to their local Education Authority. DSA can help with the cost of a non-medical helper (e.g. mentor or note taker), items of specialist equipment, travel and other course-related costs.