Higher Education Policy Changes in England - AY 2015/16
Published 29 October 2019
Applies to England
漏 Crown copyright 2019
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1. Key changes in 2015/16
1.1 Full-Time Tuition Fee Loans
No changes from 2014/15. Eligible English domiciled students and EU domiciled students (studying in England) who started full-time courses on or after 1 September 2012 at public providers are subject to a maximum tuition fee of 拢9,000, and can borrow up to this amount in the form of a tuition fee loan.
Students who started full-time courses which started before 1st September 2012 were subject to a maximum tuition fee of 拢3,465 in 2015/16 (maintained at 2014/15 levels in 2015/16) and could borrow up to this amount in the form of a tuition fee loan.
1.2 Part-Time Tuition Fee Loans
No changes from 2014/15. For all new part-time students in 2015/16 and eligible continuing part-time students鈥� who started courses at public providers on or after 1 September 2012, maximum tuition fees were maintained at 拢6,750 and students could borrow up to this amount in the form of a tuition fee loan.
1.3 Full-time loans for living costs
Maximum loansfor living costs for full-time courses were increased by forecast inflation 3.34%. For new full-time students and eligible continuing students who started their courses on or after 1 September 2012 and were living away from home and studying outside London the maximum loan for living costs was increased to 拢5,740, for students living away from home and studying in London to 拢8,009 and for students living at home to 拢4,565.
1.4 Full-time maintenance grants
For eligible new full-time students and continuing students who started their courses on or after 1 September 2012, the maximum grant in 2015/16 was maintained at 拢3,387.
For continuing full-time students who started their courses before 1 September 2012, the maximum grant in 2015/16 was maintained at 拢3,110.
1.5 Disabled Students鈥� Allowance
Maximum Disabled Students鈥� Allowances were maintained at 2014/15 levels in 2015/16
The full-time Non-Medical Helper Allowance was maintained at 拢20,725, the Specialist Equipment Allowance at 拢5,212, the allowance for other disability related expenditure at 拢1,741.
The part-time Non-Medical Helper Allowance was maintained at 拢15,543, the Specialist Equipment Allowance at 拢5,212 and the allowance for other disability related expenditure at 拢1,305.
For postgraduate students, the maximum disabled students鈥� allowance has been maintained at 拢10,362.
From September 2015, DSAs have not been available for the first 拢200 cost towards a computer. Additionally, from this date DSAs are only available for higher specification computers which are needed to run assistive technology and where such a computer is required solely because of the student鈥檚 disability.
1.6 Other targeted support
Dependants鈥� grants for full-time students with caring responsibilities were increased by forecast inflation 3.34%.
Maximum Adult Dependants鈥� Grant was increased by 3.34% to 拢2,757. The maximum Childcare Grant was increased by 3.34% to 拢155.24 per week for one child only and to 拢266.15 per week for two or more children. The maximum Parents鈥� Learning Allowance was increased to 拢1,573, an increase of 3.34%.
2. Further Information
Further information on student loans policies can be found on the Student Finance England practitioners .