Making sure your cash flows both ways

It's not just the loans. There are plenty of other sources of income available to university students

From Exam Results magazine. Issue 2001/2

Published: 31 January 2002

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)

Students with disabilities can apply for the Disabled Students Allowance. This allowance is designed to help with the extra costs you will have, as a result of attending your course and as a direct result of your disability. The Student Loans Company have produced a booklet called Bridging the Gap which provides more information about this allowance, and it can be applied for at any time before or during your course.

The amount of money that you will get via a DSA does not depend on your income or that of your family. The DSA will grant a specialist equipment allowance of up to £4,255 for the whole course, a non-medical helper's allowance of up to £10,755 a year. A general disabled students allowance is up to £1,420 a year. Extra travel costs you have to pay as a result of disability and not normally for everyday travel cost.

If you are eligible for a DSA, your LEA will give the monies either to you or to the supplier of the specialist equipment or services. You do not have to repay this help.

Access and Hardship Loans

Most universities will invite their students to apply for access funds if they are in financial difficulty. Access funds are usually drawn from the university or colleges own funds and it is assessed internally as to who is eligible. To find out more about what is specifically on offer at the university that you will be attending, a good starting point will be the Registry or students union.

Army Sponsorship

The Army offers a sponsorship scheme whereby financial assistance is given to undergraduates interested in a career in the army after university. Over 80 per cent of officers now entering the army are graduates, therefore if you are considering joining the army after your degree you should consider applying for the Army Undergraduate Bursary Award.

The bursary award is £1,000 a year at university and £3,000 on entering Sandhurst for officer training. The minimum commitment thereafter is for three years commissioned service, with the opportunity of progressing to a full career.

The bursary scheme is for undergraduates who wish to take up a three year short service commission upon leaving university. You would remain a civilian throughout your university course, receive financial support of £1,000 per year and also have the opportunity of paid training whilst at university. On completion of your degree your immediate future is assured, and you will begin training at Sandhurst - the start of a fulfilling, exciting and challenging career as an army officer.

Engineering

If you are planning to take an engineering degree there are many sponsorships schemes that you will be able to apply for. You can apply directly to a company during your final year at school or you could wait until you start your course. Most universities with good engineering programs will have strong links with the engineering industry. For example, the types of companies that invest heavily in engineering student sponsorship are BAE Systems, DERA, Marconi, Esso, Unilever Research, Procter & Gamble, British Nuclear Fuels and BP Amoco.

Generally, engineering sponsorships are worth up to £1,500 per year, and they will give you the chance to work for your sponsoring company during at least one summer vacation. There is often an offer of a job when you graduate, but you are not under any obligation to accept it.

Not only are there obvious and immediate financial benefits from participating in a sponsorship scheme, but there is also the added bonus of gaining work experience that will considerably enhance your eventual job prospects.

Further information:

EMTA: National Training Organisation for engineering manufacture. Career website: www.enginuity.org.uk Freephone: 0800 282 167

The Army Tel: 08457 300 111 Website: www.army.mod.uk/careers/index.htm