Student Support Applications for Higher Education - Update at end of August 2012

Statistics on applications for student support and Tuition Fee Loans, and Tuition Fee Grants awarded, include data for Welsh domiciled students (wherever they study) and EU domiciled students studying in Wales, for the period up to 26 August 2012 (the last Sunday of the month). The latest monthly release updates the statistics previously released on 16 August 2012.

The key points from the latest release are:

• In the 2012/13 academic year to date, a total of 48,830 applications had been received for student support in Wales, no percentage change on 2011/12. However, this is the fifth monthly data point available for applications for 2012/13, and it is too early to predict whether the picture seen this month will apply to final data. Changes in timing of the application process, and efforts to encourage earlier application may affect percentage changes this early in the cycle.
• 43,555 applications had been received for Tuition Fee Loans, up one per cent on 2011/12.
• 19,515 students had been awarded a Tuition Fee Grant. Of these, 17,590 (90 per cent) students had been awarded the new TFG.

Since 2006/07, students have been able to apply for non-means tested loans to cover tuition fee costs. From 1 September 2012, students who normally live in Wales and are entering an UK Higher Education Institution (HEI) or college charging variable tuition fees (of up to a maximum of £9,000) will be eligible to receive a Tuition Fee Grant (TFG) of up to £5,535. EU students will be eligible for this TFG if they are studying in Wales. Welsh domiciled students and EU domiciled students studying in Wales who started their course between September 2006 and August 2010, are eligible for a non-means tested TFG of up to £2,085 (2012/13 level). The grants are not means-tested and are non-repayable. Welsh domiciled students and EU students commencing their studies between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2012 are not eligible for a TFG (except those who deferred entry to higher education).

Further information

StatsWales website.

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 3895
Email: post16ed.stats@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

11 October 2012