Financial support for full-time undergraduate students from Wales

Tuition Fee Costs

For 2024/25, Aberystwyth University will charge a tuition fee of £9,250 a year for a full time undergraduate degree course. Payment of tuition fees can be deferred until after you finish your studies, if you opt to take out a Tuition Fee Loan.

The Tuition Fee Loan is available regardless of family income. However, students who have previously studied at Higher Education level should contact Student Finance Wales to check their entitlement.

A Tuition Fee Loan has to be repaid once you leave your course and start earning more than £27,295 a year (from 6th of April 2021). Deductions are usually made through the PAYE tax system by your employer in the same way as tax and National Insurance contributions. You will make repayments at a rate of 9% of any amount that you earn above £27,295 a year (from 6th of April 2021). For further information, please visit the following website: www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can pay your fees whilst you study.

Welsh Government Learning Grant

A £1,000 minimum Welsh Government Learning Grant will be available to all eligible full time undergraduate students who live in Wales.
Students from Wales may also be eligible for an additional means-tested Welsh Government Learning Grant, which will be based on your taxable household income.
The Grant will be paid directly into your bank or building society account in three instalments - one at the start of each term.
The Welsh Government Learning Grant does not have to be paid back when you graduate.

Welsh Government Learning Grant and Maintenance Table

Taxable Household Income	Welsh Government Learning Grant - Elsewhere	Maintenance Loan - Elsewhere	Total Grant & Loan – living away from home (elsewhere)	Welsh Government Learning Grant - Parental home	Maintenance Loan – Parental Home	Total Grant & Loan – living at home with your parents
£18,370 or under	£8,100	£4,050	£12,150	£6,885	£3,430	£10,315
£25,000	£6,947	£5,203	£12,150	£5,930	£4,385	£10,315
£35,000	£5,208	£6,492	£12,150	£4,488	£5,827	£10,315
£45,000	£3,469	£8,681	£12,150	£3,047	£7,268	£10,315
£59,200 or above	£1,000	£11,150	£12,150	£1,000	£9,315	£10,315

Maintenance Loan

Maintenance Loans are available to help you pay for living expenses such as accommodation, food, books, clothes and travel. This money comes from the Welsh Government via the Student Loans Company.
How much you will receive with be determined on where you will live whilst you study and your taxable household income.
The Maintenance Loan will be paid directly into your bank or building society account in three instalments - one at the start of each term.
A Maintenance Loan has to be repaid once you leave your course and start earning more than £27,295 a year. Deductions are usually made through the PAYE tax system by your employer in the same way as tax and National Insurance contributions. You will make repayments at a rate of 9% of any amount that you earn above £27,295 a year (from 6th of April 2021). For further information, please visit the following website: www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk

Funding for Placement Years

For the 2024/25 Academic Year the tuition fee charge for Aberystwyth University students undertaking an integrated year in industry is £1,850.

Eligible UK students are able apply for a reduced-rate Maintenance Loan to help with living costs such as food, accommodation, and travel.

The amount of Maintenance Loan you can receive is determined by your household income, where you are going to be living while on placement, and additional criteria.

The maximum reduced-rate Maintenance Loan available is:

Student Finance Wales 2024/25

Parental Home - £4,655
London - £7,085
Elsewhere - £5,575

How and When to Apply for Student Finance

To apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Loan and Welsh Government Learning Grant students will complete an Application for Student Finance (PN1) form.
This form can be completed online or you can download from the Student Finance Wales website: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Application forms available from early March 2024.
You are advised to complete the form as soon as possible so that the financial assessment is completed well before your course starts in September 2024.

How will you receive your student funding?

Student finance is usually paid in three instalments, directly into your bank account. You will receive one instalment after registration, the second in early January and the final instalment after Easter.

Previous Higher Education Study

If you have previously studied a higher education course, your entitlement to student finance may be affected. We recommend that you contact Student Finance Wales: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or the Money Advice Service at Aberystwyth University for further information.

Students with children or adult dependents

Special Support Grant

The Special Support Grant is available for students who may be eligible to receive means-tested benefits such as Income Support / Universal Credit and Housing Benefit. These students include those who:

lone parents
have dependent children and their partner is also a full-time student
are eligible for certain specified disability benefits

The Special Support Grant is paid instead of the Welsh Government Learning Grant.

Special Support Grant and Maintenance Loan Entitlement Table

Taxable Household Income	Special Support Grant - Elsewhere	Maintenance Loan - Elsewhere	Total Grant & Loan – living away from home (elsewhere)	Special Support Grant - Parental home	Maintenance Loan – Parental Home	Total Grant & Loan – living at home with your parents
£18,370 or under	£8,100	£4,855	£12,955	£6,885	£4,665	£11,540
£25,000	£6,947	£4,855	£11,802	£5,930	£4,665	£10,585
£35,000	£5,208	£5,502	£10,710	£4,488	£5,827	£10,315
£45,000	£3,469	£7,241	£10,710	£3,047	£7,268	£10,315
£59,200 or above	£1,000	£9,710	£10,710	£1,000	£9,315	£10,315

A specific amount of the Special Support Grant will be disregarded for means tested benefit purposes.

Childcare Grant

Full-time students with dependent children in registered and approved childcare can apply for a Childcare Grant.

The amount of Childcare Grant payable will be based in 85% of actual childcare costs, subject to a maximum grant of £184 per week for one child and £315 per week for two or more children.
You cannot get this grant if you or your spouse or partner receives the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit from HM Revenue and Customs.
You can decide which one you want to have if you’re eligible for both.
You can receive a Childcare Grant during term times and university holidays.
The Department for Works and Pensions and Housing Benefit departments will disregard the amount Childcare Grant awarded when they work out your benefit entitlement.
How much help you get will depend on your circumstances and household income
This grant is usually paid in three instalments, one at the start of each term at the same time as your maintenance loan and other grants.
Student Finance Wales will ask you to confirm your actual childcare costs every term. If you don't provide this information, you may not receive your next instalment.

Parents’ Learning Allowance

This non-repayable allowance awarded to help students with dependent children.

The maximum amount of Parent Learning Allowance payable in 2024/25 will be £1,963 and the minimum £50.00.
How much you get depends on your taxable household income.
The Department for Works and Pension and Housing Benefit departments will disregard the amount you have been awarded when they work out your benefit entitlement.
This grant is usually paid in three instalments, one at the start of each term at the same time as your maintenance loan and other grants.

Adult Dependent Grant

This grant is awarded to students with adult dependent. If you have a partner depends on you financially, you may be eligible for this non-repayable grant.

The maximum amount of Adult Dependent Grant payable in 2024/25 will be £3,438.
How much you will get depends on your partner’s net income.
This grant will be treated as income when applying for Housing and Council Tax Benefit or Welfare Benefit.
This grant is usually paid in three instalments, one at the start of each term at the same time as your maintenance loan and other grants.

Useful Links & Websites

Student Finance Wales: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Advice, Information and Money Service: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/sscs/advice-info-money/
Welfare Benefits: https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits