This section gives information for students who began their current course prior to September 2012, when the student finance system changed. The information is also relevant to students who are undertaking a part time ‘top-up’ degree programme immediately after completion of a part time Foundation Degree, HND or similar. Please contact Student Financial Advice if you require further clarification of this.
Students on part-time undergraduate courses which involve the study of at least 60 credits a year (or are 50% of a full-time equivalent course) can apply to Student Finance England (SFE) for a tuition fee grant and a grant of up to £280 for other study costs.
The part-time course should last no longer than twice the length of time it would to complete a full-time equivalent (FTE) course (6 years for a 3 year FTE, 8 years for a 4 year FTE)
Students who already have a degree or other ‘equivalent or higher level qualification’. are not eligible for this funding.
The maximum fee grant available will depend on the ‘intensity of study’:
- Students studying 50-59% of a FTE course can receive up to £855
- Students studying 60-74% of a FTE course can receive up to £1025
- Students studying 75% or more of a FTE course can receive up to £1,285
The grants are income-assessed – taking into account the student’s and their spouse’s or partner’s gross income, but not that of a student’s parents. Students in receipt of means-tested benefits (i.e. Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit) qualify for the full grants.
If the income level of a single student with no children is less than £16,845 they receive the full grants. If a student has a spouse/partner and/or children this income level is raised by the following amounts:
- £2000 for spouse/partner;
- £2000 for the eldest dependent child;
- £1000 for each further dependent child.
For students who entered Higher Education from academic 2005-2006 it does not matter what the age of the student, their partner’s income is taken into account in assessing the fees and study grant. For students who entered H.E. prior to September 2005, the income of a partner will be taken into account only if the student is aged 25+. The definition of ‘partner’ includes a same-sex co-habiting partner.
Where the assessable income is more than the appropriate threshold, the amount of fees grant, then £280 course grant, is reduced by tapers dependent on the income level.
Continuing students, who applied for part-time funding last year, will receive an email mid August 2014 with a short application form (PTGC). Continuing part-time students who wish to apply for finance for the first time need to complete a full application form (PTGN). Once you have completed the application form, you will need the University to complete a section of the form to confirm that you are enrolled and attending the course, and how much the fees are, before submitting the form to SFE. New students cannot submit the form until you have been registered and have attended the course for at least 2 weeks. Please note: all students must now apply to Student Finance England.
Forms will be available to download from the following website:
If the tuition fees for the course are more than the fee grant available, the student is responsible for paying the difference. Fees for part-time courses at the University of Sunderland vary. Contact the relevant Faculty of study regarding the fees for the course you are interested in joining. If there is a shortfall, help may be available from the Additional Fees Support Scheme (see below).
Additional Fees Support Scheme (AFSS)
(2013/14 information – subject to change in 2014/15)
The University has introduced a scheme whereby it will offer students tuition fees assistance from its Access to Learning Fund, if you are not receiving full support from SFE. You can only apply for this support if you fall into one of the following categories:
“I am receiving the maximum fee support from SFE, but this does not cover my fees”
The university will pay the remainder in full from the AFSS scheme.
“I am only receiving partial fee support from SFE due to their assessment of my income”
The university will calculate 75% of your total tuition fee for the year, and ensure that AFSS tops up your support to that level. This means that you will only be required to pay a maximum of 25% of your total tuition fee.
“I am receiving no fee support from SFE due to their assessment of my income”
You will not qualify for help from AFSS.
“This is my second degree course – I already have an Hons degree. SFE won’t pay my fees.”
You will not qualify for help from AFSS.
“SFE won’t support me because I am studying less than 50% of a full-time equivalent course – but I am only studying less than 50% because of my disability”
If you receive means-tested benefits or, your sole income (and that of your spouse/partner) is fully dependent on state benefits, AFSS will pay for your tuition fee in full.
If you are not in receipt of benefits and/or receive any other type of income (e.g earnings), AFSS will pay 75% of your total tuition fee provided your household income is less than £25,421 after adjustments* (please see the table below).
*Adjustments which will be ignored when calculating your household income
- £2,000 for your oldest dependent child
- £1,000 each for any other dependent children
- £2,000 if you live with a partner
For further information or advice about AFSS, you can email our Student Support Funds office: alfqueries@sunderland.ac.uk or Student Financial Advice team: studentfinancialadvice@sunderland.ac.uk