Student Wellbeing Services
Student Funding Service
Funding Menu
UK Students - Government Undergraduate Funding
Year Abroad Funding
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1. Government Funding and Tuition Fees
1.1 Student Living Cost Loan for 2012/2013 academic year
Students who study abroad for the year may be entitled to a higher rate of student loan. On the financial application form you will need to tick that you are going abroad and supply details of placement and any payment you may receive. This will trigger the appropriate level of loan to be paid and the issue of a travel grant expenses form (if you are eligible - see below)
The maximum loan is £6,535 for non final years (subject to means testing). The maximum final year rate is £5,680. In addition a travel grant (subject to means testing) may be paid.
Students who travel abroad to undertake a paid placement/employment will only be entitled to a non-means tested loan of £2,780 and no travel grant (see below).
If your course has a combination of study and paid placement you will receive each type of support on a pro-rata basis. The University will automatcially confirm term dates and attendance for SFE/NI/W/SAAS assessment and loan payment puroposes.
1.2. Government Funding - Travel Grant
In addition to the student loan providing you apply for means tested Financial Support, are studying abroad (as oppose to on a paid placement) and have income below the relevant threshold a travel grant is payable towards necessary costs. This covers:-
- Up to three return journeys between UK & overseas institution
- Necessary daily travel costs - cheapest mode of transport to be used
- Medical insurance up to 40% of total premium on a standard policy can be reimbursed
- Compulsory vaccination, medical tests where condition of entry & visa costs can be reimbursed.
The above is subject to normal financial means test and £303 Travel disregard.
1.3 Government Funding - Tuition Fee Loan
If there are tuition fees payable then students on the year abroad can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover any assessed liability for tuition fees in the normal way. See http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sbs/funding/feeloan.htm
1.4 Costs - University Tuition Fees
The costs of the tuition fees for a year abroad/placement depend on the scheme under which it is undertaken. Under the Socratees-Erasmus scheme there are nil fees payable, under other schemes there are usually half fees payable. Any fees due are payable to Lancaster University. If you have queries about payment please contact the Student Registry. or see http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sbs/registry/undergraduate/ugfees.htm
Applying for Government support for subsequent years whilst abroad
Students who go abroad should ensure that they apply for any student funding for any subsequent year if they are abroad (E.g. apply for 2013 year funding from February 2013) by using the on-line facility at http://www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
2. University Awards
2.1 University Bursaries and Scholarships - these awards are still payable to eligible students during any year abroad period - click here (Q.20)
2.2 Erasmus Grant - subject to annual confirmation - click here
2.3 Access to Learning Fund - click here
3.0 Lancaster Schemes
For information on study abroad at Lancaster please see:- http://www.lancs.ac.uk/users/international/
4.0 Living costs and Budgeting
The costs of study vary according to the destination country - please refer to the international office for a guide. You may be required to purchase travel/medical insurance policies offered by the receiving institution. If you are not you should ensure you have adequate insurance to cover any emergencies. If you are travelling within Europe you may be covered for some medical expenses through the European Health Card (replacement to E111 cover).
Look carefully at your income from your student funding and/or any income from placement/employment. Compare this to your expected expenditure on accommodation, food, travel, insurance, etc and see if you have a surplus or deficit so that you can try to reduce costs or raise additional income as necessary.
