Guidance

Higher Education Policy Changes in England - AY 2017/18

Published 29 October 2019

Applies to England

1. Key changes in 2017/18

1.1 Full-Time Tuition Fee Loans

Increased from 2016/17. 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 £9,250, and can borrow up to this amount in the form of a tuition fee loan.

From 1 August 2017, most new undergraduate healthcare students on full-time courses are now eligible for tuition fee loans. These students were previously eligible to receive funding from the Department of Health, through NHS Bursaries.

1.2 Full-Time Maintenance Loans

From 1 August 2017, most new undergraduate healthcare students on fulltime courses are now eligible for full rate maintenance loans (for living costs). These students were previously eligible for reduced rate maintenance loans, and also received funding from the Department of Health, through NHS Bursaries.

For eligible new students on the lowest incomes the maximum loan for living costs for students living away from home and studying outside London has been increased to £8,430, for students living away from home and studying in London to £11,002 and for students living at home to £7,097 (an increase of 2.8% in living costs support when compared with the 2016/17 academic year).

Maximum loans for living costs for continuing full-time students who started their courses on or after 1 September 2012 but before 1 August 2016 have been increased by forecast inflation, The maximum loan for living costs for students living away from home and studying outside London was increased to £6,043, for students living away from home and studying in London to £8,432 and for students living at home to £4,806.

1.3 Part-Time Tuition Fee Loans

Increased from 2016/17. Eligible English domiciled students and EU domiciled students (studying in England) who started part-time courses on or after 1 September 2012 at public providers are subject to a maximum tuition fee of £6,935, and can borrow up to this amount in the form of a tuition fee loan.

For eligible new students on the lowest incomes the maximum loan for living costs for students living away from home and studying outside London has been increased to £8,430, for students living away from home and studying in London to £11,002 and for students living at home to £7,097 (an increase of 2.8% in living costs support when compared with the 2016/17 academic year).

Maximum loans for living costs for continuing full-time students who started their courses on or after 1 September 2012 but before 1 August 2016 have been increased by forecast inflation, The maximum loan for living costs for students living away from home and studying outside London was increased to £6,043, for students living away from home and studying in London to £8,432 and for students living at home to £4,806.

1.4 Disabled Students’ Allowance

Maximum Disabled Students’ Allowances for new and continuing full-time, part-time and postgraduate students have been increased by forecast inflation in 2017/18.

For full-time undergraduate students, the Non-Medical Helper Allowance has been maintained at £21,305, the Specialist Equipment Allowance at £5,358, the allowance for other disability related expenditure at £1,790.

For part-time undergraduate students, the Non-Medical Helper Allowance has been maintained at £15,978, the Specialist Equipment Allowance at £5,358 and the allowance for other disability related expenditure at £1,342.

For postgraduate students, the maximum disabled students’ allowance has been maintained at £10,652.

Additionally, for students making their first claim for DSAs in 2016/17 or later, the following changes will apply.

• HE providers are to take primary responsibility for less specialist non-medical support roles, with the exception of sighted guides for which DSAs will retain primary responsibility.
• DSAs will retain primary responsibility for funding the most specialist non-medical help support, with the exception of specialist transcription services for which HE providers will take primary responsibility.
• DSAs funding will not be available where specialist accommodation is provided by the HE provider or their agent, other than by exception, and HE providers should no longer pass any additional costs onto the student.
• Devices for printing and scanning will continue to be funded through DSAs where there is a disability related reason, but HE providers are expected to reduce the need for individual devices through improved library services and access to printing/scanning services.
• Standard computer peripherals and other accessories will now be funded by exception only, and where there is a disability related reason, apart from standard laptop carry cases.
• From 1 April 2018, there will be an increase in the repayment threshold for undergraduate loans from £21,000 to £25,000. This will apply to those who have already taken out and will take out loans for tuition and living costs for full-time and part-time undergraduate courses in the post-2012 system.

2. Further Information

Further information on student loans policies can be found on the Student Finance England practitioners website.