Other Sources of Money
Other sources of money
- Foundations, Trusts and Charities
- Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL)
- Student Banking
- Part-Time Work
- Reduced Price Travel
- Disabled Students Allowance
Foundations, Trusts and Charities
Student Services administers applications to some charitable funds. Final Year Awards are for students finishing a degree, FdA or Postgraduate course.
Limited extra help is sometimes available from foundations, trust funds or charities. You should target applications after thorough research. Some charities have early closing dates for applications, so check with the charity before applying.
Educational Grants Directory
You can visit your local main library or Student Services at High Holborn and look at the Educational Grants Directory (published by Directory of Social Change). You can also contact the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) on 020 7254 6251. EGAS give information on funding and charitable organisations. They can also do a free charity/trust search on your behalf.
Register of Charities
For further information about individual charities, and for up-to-date contact details, you can search the Charities Commission Register of Charities.
International Students
UK-based charitable organisations do not usually fund International students. If you have difficulty paying your fees, or you have unexpected money problems during your course, contact Student Services for advice.
The following are charities that have previously helped students at University of the Arts London:
Lawrence Atwell
Grants or loans to students to help with costs such as fees, equipment, materials and travel. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 26. You can be in receipt of a mandatory award. You must be British, or, if a refugee, you must have permanent residency. Your parental income must be less than £25,000 (this figure may be increased by £2,500 for each other dependent child). For further information or an application form call 020 7213 0561 or email atwell@skinners.org.uk..
Newcomen Collett
Grants to FE and HE students under 25, who have lived in the borough of Southwark for at least the last two years -- they prefer applicants who have been raised in Southwark. The grant is primarily for materials and travel, but they will consider paying fees if the majority has already been paid. For an application form go to the website, where you can either download and email it to richard@newcomencollet.org.uk , or print it off and send it to Richard Goatches, The Clerk to the Governors, Newcomen Collett Foundation, Marshal House, 66 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1YT.
Sir William Boreman's Foundation
Grants to full and part-time students aged under 26. Applicants must be have lived the borough of Lewisham or Greenwich for at least the last three years and have a family income of around £25,000. They can help with fees, materials, books, travel and other study costs. For an application form, visit their website or telephone them directly on 020 7448 1309. Forms shoud be sent to Clerk to the Governors. Sir William Boreman's Foundation, Drapers Hall, Lonon, EC2N 2DQ.
The Walcot Educational Foundation
Grants to students under 30, who have been living in Lambeth for at least two years. For further information visit their website or contact them on 020 7735 1925.
Funds for Women Graduates provides emergency grants to female students on taught and research postgraduate courses who face an unforeseen financial crisis during their course. Applications are considered three times a year. Home, EU and International students may apply, but will need to show evidence of hardship along with academic references. For further information visit their website.
Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL)
The Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL) scheme is run by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in partnership with three UK banks. While you study and for one month after you complete your course the LSC pays the interest on your loan. After this you become responsible for the interest and loan repayments over an agreed period of time and at a fixed rate. This will vary depending on the orignal terms of your loan.
PCDLs can help finance a course for up to two years. If your course is longer than two years they will consider funding the last two years of your course.
The bank you choose will decide whether or not you qualify for a PCDL. However, to be considered you must be 18 or over, intend to work in the UK or EEA after your course and have no immigration restrictions on your stay in the UK. You cannot apply if you receive the government Maintence Loan. This means that Career Development Loans are best suited to EU nationals who are not eligible for the full Student Finance package.
For more information ring the PCDL information line freephone on 0800 585 505 or visit the PCDL website.
Some banks that do not participate in this scheme offer their own training loans so it is worth shopping around to find the one that suits your needs.
Student Banking
Most banks offer full-time Degree and FdA students a bank account with an interest free overdraft. If you need to open an account, make sure you research the different bank facilities available and decide which is best for you.
Comparison tables of the different incentives available to students by different banks can be found on the Money Facts website.
Part-time Work
Many students work part-time during term-time as well as the vacations. This can be useful work experience as well as earning you money. If you decide to work you should think about balancing the demands of paid work and your study.
The money you earn from working while studying does not affect your Student Support.
If you earn below your personal tax allowance of £6,035 in the 2008/09 tax year, you will not pay income tax. However tax may still be deducted from your earnings but you can claim a refund from the Inland Revenue at the end of the tax year (April of each year). You will only have to start paying National Insurance contributions once you earn over £105 per week.
To find out more about income tax or how to get a rebate contact your local tax office. You can find the number at HM Revenue and Customs.
Once you begin attending a course at the University of the Arts London you can visit 'Creative Opportunities', our daily job vacancies bulletin.
The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 means that most employees who are aged between 18 and 20 years old will receive a minimum of £4.98 per hour, and those aged 21 years and over should receive a minimum of £6.08.
If you work solely in the holiday periods (not term-time weekends and evenings) you may be able to receive your wages without taxes being deducted as long as you earn under the £6,035 per year personal allowance. To do this you will need to fill in a P38 form, available from HM Revenue and Customs.
Reduced Price Travel
Full-time students (on courses that are at least 15 guided learning hours per week) and some part-time students can apply for a London Transport Student Oystercard. This gives a 30% discount if you buy weekly or monthly London Transport tickets. Youcan only apply after you have enrolled. Apply online or you can pick up an application form from your School Office.
For travel outside London, you can claim other discounts:
National Express runs coach (bus) travel in the UK. They offer a 30% discount with the Student Coachcard. For more information, visit the National Express Student website.
For train travel outside London, you can apply for a 16-25 Railcard, which is also available to full-time students who are 26 over. Go to a national railway station to pick up a form, or if you have a suitable digital photo of yourself, you can apply online.
Disabled Students Allowance
If you are a Home student and you study full-time, part-time or distance learning and providing your course is 50% of a full-time course, you can apply to Student Finance England for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). For further information visit our disability section.
