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Rachel Robinson, undergraduate

During her second year studying Art and Photography at Leeds Metropolitan University, Rachel Robinson found time to apply for summer work placements - hoping to boost her chances of landing a job as a forensic photographer.

Her mother Hilary - a physiotherapist from Sheffield - was also thinking about the years ahead.

"It was very hard for me when Rachel moved away, even though I knew it was something she always wanted to do", Hilary says. "Now my other daughter is studying for her A levels and it looks like she wants to follow in her sister’s footsteps, so I’ll have two daughters at university at the same time".

Rachel applied for the government’s student finance package, and with a household income of around £32,000 she was eligible for a partial Maintenance Grant - on top of Student Loans. The Maintenance Grant helped to cover some essential expenses, such as books for her course.

Maintenance Grant: the facts

Around a third of new full-time students are expected to get the full Maintenance grant - £2,906 in non-repayable support for 2009/2010, or £2,835 for 2008/2009.

Around a further third of new students are expected to qualify for a partial Maintenance Grant.

Sarah Britton, undergraduate

Kay Britton, a nurse from Southampton, was delighted when her daughter Sarah decided to apply for university. To get the job she wants as a pharmacist, Sarah needs a higher education qualification.

Kay says: "University is a great option for young people and one that teaches valuable lessons whilst expanding their knowledge. It is great that university is open to everyone regardless of their background. I was very reassured by the financial support available."

After Sarah had chosen her courses and made her UCAS application, she and Kay discussed the best way to handle her finances. Kay helped with filling in the student finance application, and in particular with researching the bursaries available at Sarah’s top three university choices.

Bursaries: the facts

Students getting the full Maintenance Grant and paying maximum tuition fees are entitled to a non-repayable bursary of at least £319 for 2009/2010 or £310 for 2008/2009.

Many universities offer considerably more than this. In 2008/2009 the typical bursary for a student receiving the full Maintenance Grant on a course charging maximum tuition fees was £800.

Claire Oborne, graduate

Judy Oborne, a housewife from London, always hoped her daughter Claire would attend university and was extremely proud when she got her place at the University of Nottingham.

Judy says: “I feel that university gave Claire the opportunity to gain a better job with more prospects. University was definitely the right choice for her.”

Claire took out a Student Loan from the government to help with the costs of studying. Since graduating in 2007, she has started work at a London PR agency.

Since she’s now on a reasonable salary, Claire has started paying back her Student Loans. Her repayments are based on what she earns - nine per cent of her income over £15,000.

Student Loans: the facts

All eligible students can get Student Loans from the government - one to cover tuition fees, and one to help with living costs like rent and travel.

Students don’t have to start paying them back until they’ve left their course and are earning over £15,000. So someone earning £18,000 (the average starting salary for a graduate) would pay back £5.19 a week.

Student Finance Calculator

If your child is planning to start a full-time course in 2009/2010, you can enter their details into the Student Finance Calculator for an idea of how much they’re likely to get through Student Loans, grants and bursaries.

• Student Finance Calculator: get an estimate of how much you could get Opens new window

• Student Finance Calculator: retrieve a saved estimate Opens new window

Find out more about finance for full-time students

• Finance for full-time students starting in 2009/2010 (education and learning section)

• Finance for full-time students starting in 2008/2009 (education and learning section)

More useful links

• Finance for part-time students - applying for the first time (education and learning section)

Back to 'Money for university: a parent's guide'

• Money for university: a parent's guide