SHARON SWEENEY
Student Funding Officer, University of Dundee
- What does your job involve?
- What advice would you give to prospective students who were concerned about being able to afford to go to university?
- Where can you find out what financial assistance is available for new students? (loans, bursaries etc.)
- Is getting a qualification worth getting into debt ?
- Are there big differences in student finance / funding between college and university? If so, what are they?
- Do you have to pay back your loans straight after graduation?
- What kind of help can students get at university if they find themselves in financial difficulty?
- What are ‘discretionary funds’ ?
- Do you have any top budgeting tips?
- In your opinion, what are the top three things about going to college or university?
1. What does your job involve ?
My job involves providing all information and guidance to all current and potential students, managing and distributing discretionary funds and developing the Money Doctor project in the institution.
2. What advice would you give to prospective students who were concerned about being able to afford to go to university ?
Do lots of research, have a look at university websites and check out the SAAS website (Student Award Agency for Scotland, http://www.saas.gov.uk). Think about how much money you might get from SAAS and things you may not have thought of before – accommodation, study costs, activities etc. Also think about the long-term gain of having a degree. If you are stuck, speak to a money advisor at your chosen university/college.
3. Where can you find out what financial assistance is available for new students? (loans, bursaries etc.)?
The SAAS website (see above) and university websites.
4. Is getting a qualification worth getting into debt ?
The benefits of a university education are priceless in terms of your personal development. Statistics show that graduates have a better opportunity to higher earnings in the long-term. However, the impact of debt while reading for a degree cannot be ignored. As in Question 2 (above), doing good research at the beginning does make a big difference.
5. Are there big differences in student finance / funding between college and university? If so, what are they?
Yes! At college you can do a variety of courses up to HND level. HNC/HND and degree courses are all funded the same way, i.e. via SAAS. At college, bursaries may be available for courses below HNC level, and colleges have access to different pockets of funding than universities for supporting students on a course.
6. Do you have to pay back your loans straight after graduation y?
No! Student loan repayments start the April after you graduate or finish your course, and only when you earn over £15,000 a year.
7. What kind of help can students get at university if they find themselves in financial difficulty ?
They should go and see their student money advisor and ask about applying for discretionary funds.
8. What are ‘discretionary funds’ ?
Each university is given money by the government to support students in financial difficulty. Most awards are a grant and do not have to be repaid. Your student money advisor will advise you.
9. Do you have any top budgeting tips?
Yes! http://www.dundee.ac.uk/studentfunding/moneymatters/ten_tips.htm
10. In your opinion, what are the top three things about going to college or university?
- Learning about yourself.
- Gaining life-long and transferable skills.
- A wonderful life experience!
