We understand that as a parent you want the very best for your child. We aim to provide clear advice about all aspects of university life and help you make informed decisions.
In this section, we’ll look at student finance and what you need to consider when making financial decisions.
Firstly, the costs of going to university needn’t be a barrier to your child choosing higher education. University is free at the point of entry for most home students and most undergraduate degree courses, so upfront costs don’t need to come out of your own pocket.
YouTube video player
Watch on YouTubeHow much it costs - tuition fees
At CCCU, the tuition fees for most full-time undergraduate courses for a home (UK-based) student is £9,250 per year. Tuition fee loans are paid directly to the University, so your child won't see this money in their bank account.
The single best place to find out about what is available, and applying for student finance, is the government website. This is where your child will ultimately make their application for student finance. You will also have to register your own account too, so we recommend that you read this information with your child so you're both up-to-date with the latest information.
Funding your child's life - maintenance loan
We realise that everyone’s circumstances are unique, with some parents or guardians more able to provide financial support than others. The maintenance loan is a cost of living payment that is provided by the government. This covers expenses such as accommodation, food, travel, and course materials. This is available to any full-time home student.
Cost of living loans are paid directly into your child’s bank account. This is calculated based on household income and is a process you’ll need to be directly involved in during the application process.
What you need to do:
- Register - Once your child has applied for student finance, you'll receive an email within 24 hours. You will have to create your own account via the link in the email - your account is separate to your child's, so remember to keep your login details to hand.
- Declare your income for last year - Fill in your National Insurance details and income for the previous tax year. If you have a partner in the same household, they will have to register separately, so you won't need to fill in their details in your account.
- Complete a current year income tax assessment form - Fill in a current year income tax assessment form and send it to Student Finance England. You'll have to send this to Student Finance England, which can either be done online or through the post.
- Keep your financial information up to date - You will then have to keep your income details updated throughout the year. At the end of the tax year, you'll confirm your actual income.
YouTube video player
Watch on YouTubeYou can find a helpful guide for how to support your child's student finance application on the government website. Here, you will find information about how to give details about your household income and if you need to update your information.
There is an expectation by the government that you’ll provide some financial assistance to your child during their studies, although we do recognise this isn’t always feasible.
If you need any advice on financial support, feel free to email Student Wellbeing if you have any questions.
We also have Unitemps, which is a service that helps students find part-time work so they can earn whilst they learn.
Help your child work out a monthly budget using the Money Saving Expert planner, or encourage them to speak to our team who are always here to help.
Repaying a student loan after graduation
Student loans only become repayable once your child is earning over £25,000 per year. They will repay 9% of any earnings above this figure, so the more they earn, the more they pay off.
If the loan isn’t cleared in 40 years, it is written off by the government. They will have the option of paying it off early or making additional monthly payments to clear it sooner.
9%
of earnings above £25,000 go towards repaying a student loan.
Grants, scholarships, and bursaries
Extra funding is available at CCCU. We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to undergraduate students to help them finance their studies. Make sure to check the eligibility criteria beforehand.
Our scholarships and bursaries include (but not limited to):
- Care Leavers' Bursary
- Partner Schools Award
- Sport Scholarship
- Support for Medicine, Health, and Social Care
- Social Work Bursary
- Career Development Fund
- CCCU Grant.
Find out more
Student life