Student grants

[Guest]

Even though we are sponsored, can we still get any form of student grant or non-repayable loan from the government?

I posted here as I can't be asked to register lol.

[alistairuk]

Re: Student grants

You can apply to the student loans company if you are on the foundation degree course (I am not sure about HND, best to ask them).

Although you shouldn't need to, only a very small number of the cadets that went through same time as me applied.

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Student grants

You are eligible to apply on either HND or FD.

The form is... an experience and there's evidence that needs to be sent in after, which makes things a bit difficult since a lot of questions can't be answered definitively until you receive your employment/sponsorship details.

That said, I'm not in a rush and all I'm interested in is the maintenance loan. I have some credit card debts at the moment, which are perfectly manageable but with the student loan interest rate I'd be silly not to apply for it just to shift everything to a low rate.

[kayak]

Re: Student grants

How about student bank accounts? Can you get em on this? I could do with the interest free overdraft to keep me going untill I start getting paid...

[size4riggerboots]

Re: Student grants

Yes, you can get a student bank account, I have a ?2k interest free overdraft!! You do need your college ID though, so probably won't be able to get one until you start college.

[kayak]

Re: Student grants

Ah nuts, so a letter of acceptance from a company won't do?

[size4riggerboots]

Re: Student grants

You can try, but I think you need to actually be studying. Can't hurt to ask though

[Randomist]

Re: Student grants

Normally to get a student overdraft/loan you will need to present the appropriate paperwork to you bank with the signature from a representitive at the college

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Student grants

It's generally best to check with the individual banks, but as Randomist says they'll need something from the college. Some are happy to take confirmation letters, so if you get something directly from the college you may be able to use that.

Whatever you do *dons cap of extreme wisdom* be very careful about the debt you take on. Only borrow if you must and it's a neccesity, don't be tempted by an overdraft limit - it's a limit, not a target. Interest free is of course better, but it will all have to be paid back in the end and it won't stay interest free forever. Same goes for credit cards.

[size4riggerboots]

Re: Student grants

Hear hear CD. While I have the security blanket of my overdraft, I am actually in the positive side of my bank account by three figures (sometimes 4 just after payday!) I have never had a credit card and never will.

Don't spend what you don't have, or you'll end up paying double!!

[alistairuk]

Re: Student grants

On the note of credit cards - I would advise you to have one for emergencies... You may find yourself in the back of beyond when an agent "forgets" to collect you from the airport or worse a well known airline abandons you in London because of non-existant snow - always good to have a credit card so you can book into a hotel / make your own arrangements until your company pay you back!

[kayak]

Re: Student grants

It was on the one show last week that using a card abroad is cheaper with a credit card, than a debit card strangely.

[GuinnessMan]

Re: Student grants

Be careful with the cards abroad though. I got stuck in China due to bad booking by the travel agent and had my card cloned as I was trying to sort out another flight.....

[dawg]

Re: Student grants

Damage limitation:

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/prepaid-cards/guide/

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel ... avel-money

I can't think why anyone would want to sign up for SLC loans when you've got a sponsored deal.

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Student grants

I can't think why anyone would want to sign up for SLC loans when you've got a sponsored deal.

Mainly because it's the cheapest form of long-term borrowing available, and for people like me who have credit cards, an overdraft and a car on HP, it makes sense to shift this borrowing to a cheaper "product".

With the interst rate as it is now, you could even make a modest amount of money by taking the loan and putting it into a high-interest deposit account.

[Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor, don't listen to me!]