Funding for students on sandwich courses during your placement year
Students attending a sandwich/placement year in industry are eligible for a different support package than other students. If you have any queries, please contact Student Advice.
Tuition fees
While on placement you still have to pay course fees. During the 2012/13 academic year LJMU will charge you £680 tuition fees for the year. You will need to complete the application for your funding by logging onto www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Maintenance Loans
During your placement year you are eligible for a reduced rate of Student Loan. This loan is not means-tested and will be paid to you in three instalments. In the 2012/13 academic year you can have a loan of £1,744 if you live with your parents and £2,324 if you live elsewhere.
LJMU Bursaries
Due to the reduced tuition fee being charged, you will not be eligible for a LJMU bursary during your year in industry.
Funding for living costs for students on unpaid placements
Students undertaking certain specified unpaid placements may be eligible for additional financial support, including full Student Loans.
These are:
- Service with Local Authority in UK which is related to the health, welfare or care of children/young persons, or similar activities in voluntary organisations in the UK
- Service in a hospital/public health laboratory in UK
- Service in prison, probation, or aftercare service in UK
- Research in UK/overseas institution
- Service with a health authority in England and Wales or equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Working Tax Credits
If you are on a paid placement you may qualify for Working Tax Credits.This is paid to working people on a low income, with or without children. You must usually be:
- aged 25 or over and work 30 hours or more a week or
- aged 16 or over, have responsibility for a child, and work 16 hours per week or more; or
- aged 16 or over, have a disability which puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job, and
- work 16 hours or more a week.
Funding for students with dependants while on placement
Students with children or an adult dependant are not eligible for grants for their dependants during their placement year – unless they are on one of the placements as specified as ‘unpaid service’ – see above for details.
Students with children may be able to get the childcare element of Working Tax Credit during their placement year. To qualify lone parents must be working 16 hours per week or more. If you are part of a couple you must both be working 16 hours per week or more unless one of you is incapacitated.
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
During placement years you are not eligible for DSA. This means it is very important that you ensure you have all the necessary equipment you require prior to starting a placement year. You may be eligible for Access to Work and you should speak to your employer about this.
LJMU Opportunity Fund
Thanks to the generosity of University donors, LJMU manages a fund to support students engaged on placements or other relevant opportunities. These activities should have a direct link or add value to their course in line with the University's World of Work or WoW programme. Contact Student Advice for more information.
Council Tax
You are still regarded as a full time student even when on placement. This means you are eligible for a Council Tax exemption certificate.
Income Tax
Everyone, including students on placement, have to pay income tax once their income goes over the earnings threshold.
For 2011/12 the threshold is £8,105. Some employers may pay you a bursary or other allowance which may not be subject to Income Tax.
See http://studenttaxadvice.direct.gov.uk/index.html
