University finance: What support is available in Wales?

As well as the tuition fee loan, students from Wales can apply for a mixture of a loan and a grant to help with living costs.

The amount depends on their household’s income and where they live and study.

For instance, a student who lives with their parents in Wales could get a £10,480 maintenance loan, and a £8,877 in England for those with household incomes less than £25,000.

This marks a 1.6% increase in support but inflation currently stands at 2.3%.

If they lived away from their parents’ home, that would increase to £12,345 for Welsh students and £10,544 for English students with household incomes less than £25,000.

If they lived away from their parents and studied in London that would increase further to £15,415 for Welsh students and £13,762 for English students with household incomes less than £25,000.

The maintenance loans are paid into the student’s bank account in three instalments, usually at the start of each term – the loan must be paid back, with interest, once the student has finished or left their course.

If a student is not in contact with their parents or has spent time in care, they might not need to provide details of their parents’ income when applying.