Latest news with #tuitionfees
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Nine money changes happening in August including benefit that could be stopped worth £1,354.60 if you don't act NOW
AS we head into August and the last month of summer, there are several important financial changes that will affect your money, from student loans and benefits to bank accounts and interest rates. Whether you're managing your household budget, planning ahead for childcare, or keeping an eye on mortgage costs, knowing what's coming can help you stay in control and avoid any surprises. 1 We've gathered all the key dates and explained what you need to know and do, so you can prepare your finances for the weeks ahead. Aug 1: Tuition fee rise takes effect in England From August 1, 2025, undergraduate tuition fees in England will rise from £9,250 to £9,535 a year. Students will also be able to borrow more to help with living costs, with the maximum maintenance loan for those living away from home outside London increasing from £10,227 to £10,544. All students will get an uplift in support for the 2025 to 2026 academic year, with the government predicting that the most help will go to those from households earning £25,000 or less. Student loan repayment rules changed in England in 2023, meaning graduates are likely to pay back more over a longer period than before. Graduates who started repayments in April 2025 had an average debt of £53,000, according to the Student Loans Company. Aug 6: eBay faster payments come in From August 6, eBay is speeding up payments to some sellers. Those who have completed at least 10 sales totalling £150 or more over the past five years, and have no more than two unresolved cases in the last 12 months, will receive their funds within 24 hours of sale. This replaces the previous system where sellers had to wait two days after delivery confirmation before payment. An unresolved case means any buyer dispute that wasn't resolved or where eBay ruled in favour of the buyer. This change should help sellers manage their cash flow more easily. Aug 7: Bank of England base rate decision On August 7, the Bank of England (BoE) is expected to announce its next base rate decision. At its last meeting, policymakers kept the rate steady at 4.25%, with six voting to hold and three in favour of a cut. The BoE is closely watching signs of a cooling labour market alongside inflation, which rose to 3.6% in the 12 months to June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The base rate affects borrowing costs and savings returns. Most mortgage holders are on fixed deals, so payments won't change immediately. However, UK Finance estimated in January that around 1.8 million fixed-rate deals will end this year, meaning lots of homeowners could soon face higher rates. What is the base rate and how does it affect the economy? NINE members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee meet eight times each year to set the base rate. Any change to the Bank's rate can have wide-reaching consequences as it directly influences both: The cost that lenders charge people to borrow money The amount of savings interest banks pay out to customers. When the Bank of England lowers interest rates, consumers tend to increase spending. This can directly affect the country's GDP and help steer the economy into growth and out of a recession. In this scenario, the cost of borrowing is usually cheap, and the biggest winners here are first-time buyers and homeowners with mortgages. But those with savings tend to lose out. However, when more credit is available to consumers, demand can increase, and prices tend to rise. And if the inflation rate rises substantially - the Bank of England might increase interest rates to bring prices back down. When the cost of borrowing rises - consumers and businesses have less money to spend, and in theory, as demand for goods and services falls, so should prices. The Bank of England is tasked with keeping inflation at 2%, and hiking interest rates is a way of trying to reach this target. In this scenario, the losers are those with debt. First-time buyers will lose out to cheaper mortgage rates, and those on tracker or standard variable rate mortgages are usually impacted by hikes to the base rate immediately. Those on a fixed-rate deal tend to be safe if they fixed when interest rates were lower - but their bills could drastically increase when it's time to remortgage. The cost of borrowing through loans, credit cards and overdrafts also increases when the base rate rises. However, the winners in this scenario are those with money to save. Banks tend to battle it out by offering market-leading saving rates when the base rate is high. Markets generally expect two rate cuts this year, potentially lowering the base rate to 3.75% by December. But rising food prices and global uncertainties mean the outlook remains uncertain. If your mortgage deal is ending soon, now's a good time to review your options. For savings, shop around to find the best rates. Credit card and loan rates are unlikely to change immediately but remain higher than in recent years. Aug 20: July inflation figures and rail fare rises The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will release the July inflation figures on August 20. Inflation, measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), shows how much the cost of everyday goods and services is rising. In June, CPI inflation was 3.6%, up from 3.4% the previous month and still well above the Bank of England's 2% target. Inflation influences many parts of daily life, including rail fares. In England, annual increases to regulated rail fares such as season tickets and off-peak travel are usually linked to the July Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation. The cost of unregulated tickets, such as first class, advance and anytime fares, is set by train companies. Aug 21: Santander axing popular current account Santander is closing its 123 Lite current account on August 21. Hundreds of thousands of customers will lose the account's popular 3% cashback on household bills, which is capped at £15 a month and comes with a £2 monthly fee. Affected customers will be automatically switched to Santander's Everyday Current Account, which has no monthly fee but offers no cashback. If you want to keep earning cashback with Santander, consider switching to the Edge or Edge Up accounts. Edge offers 1% cashback on some household bills, supermarket shopping, petrol, and travel, with a £3 monthly fee capped at £10 cashback. Edge Up costs £5 a month and offers up to £15 cashback, but requires a higher monthly deposit. Note that from September 9, cashback on supermarket, fuel, and travel spending will be removed from both accounts, leaving cashback only on household bills. If you're looking for better cashback deals elsewhere, some credit cards offer higher rewards. For example, the American Express Cashback Everyday Credit Card gives up to 5% cashback on spending for the first five months. Aug 25: Bank holidays affecting benefit payment dates If your benefit payment usually falls on a bank holiday, it will be paid early. For example, payments due on Monday August 25 (the bank holiday) will arrive on Friday August 22 instead. You'll get your money sooner, but since the next payment won't move, you'll need to budget carefully as the gap between payments will be longer. It's also standard for payments due on weekends to be paid on the preceding working day. So, payments normally scheduled for Saturday 23 or Sunday 24 August will also arrive on Friday August 22. This early payment applies to a range of benefits, including: Attendance allowance Carer's allowance Child Benefit Disability Living Allowance Employment Support Allowance (ESA) Income Support Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Pension Credit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) State Pension Universal Credit If you receive the basic state pension, your payments come every four weeks on a weekday linked to the last two digits of your National Insurance number: 00 to 19: Monday 20 to 39: Tuesday 40 to 59: Wednesday 60 to 79: Thursday 80 to 99: Friday The next bank holidays affecting payments after August will be in December. Payments due on Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be paid early on 24 December, this year. Aug 31: Deadline to extend Child Benefit claims for 16- to 19-year-olds Parents of teenagers aged 16 to 19 must extend their Child Benefit claim by August 31 to keep payments coming in September. If a claim isn't extended, Child Benefit will automatically stop from August 31 after a child's 16th birthday. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) sends reminders to parents to confirm online if their teenager is staying in full-time education or approved training after GCSEs. Parents can extend claims easily via the HMRC app or with letters including a QR code for quick access. Child Benefit currently pays £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, and £17.25 per week for each additional child. Last year, over 870,000 parents extended their claims online or through the app in minutes. Aug 31: Deadline to resubscribe for free childcare codes If you want to keep or start receiving up to 30 hours of free childcare a week for children aged 9 months to 4 years, you must apply or renew your childcare code by August 31. This applies to working parents in England who use registered childcare providers such as nurseries, playschemes, or wrap-around care. You'll need to set up a childcare account online and apply via or the HMRC app. Once approved, you'll get an 11-digit code to give your childcare provider as proof of eligibility. If your child turns 9 months old between April 1 and August 31, you must apply by August 31 to get free childcare starting in September. If you already receive 15 hours for your child under two, you'll automatically get 30 hours from September, but you still need to confirm your details and provide the code to your provider. Remember to apply early, ideally at least six weeks before the deadline. Some childcare providers ask for codes before the official deadline. Once you have your code, you'll need to reconfirm your details every three months to keep your place, although some providers may offer a short grace period. If you're starting a new job, returning from parental leave, or changing circumstances, deadlines vary - but August 31 is the key date for many parents wanting free childcare starting this autumn. You can apply or check eligibility here. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Malay Mail
18-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang students can now apply for Ancom Crop Care's RM10,000 scholarship
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Ancom Crop Care's scholarship programme for Penang-born students is now open for its final cycle, with applications accepted from July 18 to October 14, 2025. The scholarship, worth up to RM10,000 per student for tuition fees, is aimed at students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds in Penang. It is open to those who have secured admission to any local government or private university — excluding Medicine and Dentistry — as well as those who have applied and are still awaiting offer letters. Students currently in their second, third or final year of undergraduate study may also apply. Launched in May 2023 by Ancom Crop Care Sdn Bhd — a subsidiary of Bursa Malaysia-listed Ancom Nylex Berhad — the scholarship was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. This year marks the third and final round of applications under the programme. Application forms and full eligibility details are available at and To date, 41 students from various universities across Malaysia have benefited from the programme.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
How do student loans work and when are they written off?
Tuition fees in England and Wales will rise in August, after universities said they needed more students will leave university with more debt as a result of the increase. How do student loans work in the UK? The details vary according to where in the UK you live, but student loans are typically made up of:a loan for tuition feesa maintenance loan for living costsMost people are entitled to the tuition fee element, which is equal to the annual cost of their August 2025, the cost of an undergraduate degree in England and Wales is £9,535 a year, up from £9, separate maintenance loan is intended to cover accommodation, food, books and loans are means tested, so the amount you get depends on your family's household income. You might get extra money if you are disabled, or have you are under 25 and have no contact with your parents, you might be able to apply as an "estranged student". This means your parents' financial situation is not taken into by the Higher Education Policy Institute published in May 2024 suggested maintenance loans in England typically only cover about half the cost of living, and even less for students in Student Loans Company (SLC) says graduates in England who started repaying their loans in the financial year 2024-25 owed an average of £53,000. How much can I borrow for living costs? The amount of maintenance help available varies across the students in England and Wales can borrow more for day-to-day living costs in 2025-26 than in previous maximum maintenance loan for students from England living away from their parents outside of London, for example, will be £10,544, up from £10,227. For students from Wales, it will be £11,345, up from £11,150. Welsh students may also be entitled to maintenance grants, which do not have to be paid from Wales studying away from home can borrow up to £11,345 from August, up from £11,150. In Scotland, the maximum annual maintenance loan is £9,400 for under-25s. Students can also apply for a number of bursaries and from Northern Ireland who are studying away from home can borrow up to £6,776 (£9,492 if they go to London).Students from England can use the loans calculator on the Student Finance England websiteStudents from Wales can go to Student Finance WalesStudents from Scotland can go to Student Awards Agency ScotlandStudents from Northern Ireland can go to Student Finance Northern Ireland How do I get my student loan payments? The tuition fees are paid directly to your university or education maintenance loan is paid directly to your bank account in are made at the start of each term in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and monthly in order to be paid you'll need to register at your university or college. You'll usually do this in the first week of your course, and you may have to take along your student finance entitlement England you should get a text from the Student Loans Company a few days before to let you know the maintenance loan is on the can apply for funding up to nine months after the first day of the academic year for your on where you live, you will need to apply through:Student Finance EnglandStudent Finance Walesthe Students Awards Agency Scotland, or Student Finance Northern Ireland How much interest will I be charged? You are charged interest on the loan from the day you take it out, but the amount varies across the is important to understand that the terms and conditions of the loan and repayments can change after you have borrowed the money. Future interest rate rises apply to all student loans, not just new students in England, the interest rate is normally set at the retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation. The rate usually updates every September, but can also change throughout the is currently 4.3% for anyone who started university in 2023 or students from:Wales, the rate is up to 7.3% depending on your earningsScotland, it is 4.3%Northern Ireland, it is 4.3%.The amount graduates pay back depends on how much they earn. When do I have to start paying back my student loan? You make one payment to cover both your tuition fees and maintenance loans. But you do not have to start repaying your loan until you earn a certain amount of money after graduation. You generally repay 9% of the amount you earn above this threshold for students in England who started university in 2023 or later, is £25, Wales it is £28,470, in Scotland £32,745 and in Northern Ireland £26, do not have to start making payments until the April after you leave your are made automatically through the tax people choose to make extra repayments to clear some or all of their loan early - there is no penalty for doing this. Can I get a refund if I pay the wrong amount? In some cases graduates have had repayments wrongly deducted from their wages. For example, they may have had money taken before the April when they become liable, or after their loan had been repaid in their employer may have put them on the wrong repayment plan. Payments may also have accidentally been triggered when graduates earned more than the monthly threshold - perhaps as a result of working extra shifts or getting a bonus - but did not exceeded the annual limit. These incorrect repayments can be over £61m was given back to 216,300 customers in the 2023/24 tax year. The average refund was £280. In May 2024, the Student Loans Company introduced a digital refund service, which was accessed by more than 400,000 people in the first six months. You can check whether you are entitled to a refund on the SLC website. Any overpayments you have chosen to make cannot be refunded. Former students urged to check for loan refunds When are student loans written off? In England, students starting university in 2025 will see their loans written off after 40 years, regardless of how much they may still Wales and Scotland this happens after 30 years and in Northern Ireland after 25 still have to repay your student loan if you leave your course early.
UAE Moments
07-07-2025
- Business
- UAE Moments
Abu Dhabi Schools Can Withhold Certificates for Unpaid Fees
In a significant policy update, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced that private schools are now permitted to withhold student certificates if tuition fees remain unpaid —as long as the process follows a transparent and fair protocol. The new rule, which applies across all private schools in Abu Dhabi, aims to strike a balance between financial responsibility and student welfare. According to ADEK, schools must clearly outline their late payment policies on their official websites and provide reasonable, flexible installment plans for parents—without resorting to excessive penalties. "Schools must not contact students directly regarding unpaid fees, even if the result is enrollment suspension," the authority emphasized. To protect student privacy, confidentiality must be maintained at all times. Schools are prohibited from publicly disclosing or drawing attention to any student's unpaid fees. How Will It Work? Under the updated framework, schools are permitted to collect the first installment of tuition fees one month before the academic year starts. The remaining amount must be split into three or more equal installments, with payment schedules shared publicly and agreed upon by both parties. Contracts or written agreements may also be signed between parents and schools to ensure both sides understand their obligations. Ministry Confirms 14 Curricula Now Eligible for Grade 12 Certificate Equivalency In a separate announcement, the UAE Ministry of Education revealed that Grade 12 certificates from 14 international curricula taught in the UAE are now eligible for official equivalency—an essential step for university admissions and job applications. To obtain equivalency, students must provide: The ministry also clarified that certificates from open education or distance learning programs will not be considered for equivalency. Additional requirements include: Applicants have seven days to submit all required documents. If incomplete, the application will be closed after three failed contact attempts. The equivalency service costs Dh50 and takes approximately five working days. Submissions can be made via the Ministry of Education's website or approved mobile app.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
How much are tuition fees in the UK and is university worth it?
Tuition fees in England and Wales will rise in August, after universities said they needed more financial support. As fees go up, does getting a degree still pay for itself through higher future earnings? How much are tuition fees going up in England and Wales? The annual cost of an undergraduate degree in England and Wales will go up from £9,250 to £9,535 in August students will also be able to borrow more to help meet their day-to-day living example, the maximum maintenance loan for students from England who live away from their parents outside London will increase from £10,227 to £10,544 a the Department for Education (DfE) in England first announced the rises in November 2024, it said they were in line with inflation. Why are tuition fees going up? Warnings have been mounting about the state of university regulator in England, the Office for Students, warned that more than four in 10 universities were expecting to be in a financial deficit by summer recent period of high inflation meant tuition fees were worth less than they used to be, and there have been fewer international students to make up the financial have been warned they could see cuts to staffing and courses as a result.. How much are university fees in Northern Ireland and Scotland? UK nations set their own Northern Ireland, the maximum annual cost of an undergraduate degree is £4,855 for Northern Irish students or £9,535 for other UK Scotland, undergraduate tuition is free for the majority of Scottish students and £9,535 for other UK students. What does student accommodation cost across the UK? Student rents have risen sharply in recent years, according to the latest research by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) and housing charity Unipol. Average annual rent across 10 university towns and cities - excluding London and Edinburgh - rose from £6,520 in 2021-22 to £7,475 in rents were particularly high in some cities like Nottingham and Bristol, where the average cost was £8,427 and £9,200 figures for London found that the average rent for purpose-built student accommodation in the capital was £13,595 in 2024-25. Hepi has warned that maintenance loans in England only just cover average rent - and that without family support or part-time work, students "will have no money to live off" after paying housing 2025 student survey found the percentage of full-time undergraduates in paid employment during term time was 68% - up from 50% three years also need to budget for other big expenses, such as food, transport, course materials and going by the Save the Student website, based on a survey of about 1,000 UK respondents, suggests that students spent an average of £564 per week in 2024, on top of their rent. How do student loans work? Most UK students are eligible for a tuition fee loan. Maintenance loans are also available for living costs. These are means-tested, so the amount you get depends on your family's are charged interest on your total loan from the day you take it out. Eligibility and repayment rules differ across the repayment rules changed in England in 2023, meaning students are likely to pay back more, over a longer period of time, than those who went to university Martin Lewis said the extended repayment period would increase "costs by thousands" for lower and in England who became liable to pay back their loans in April 2025 had an average debt of £53,000, according to the Student Loans Company. What extra financial help can students get? Eligible students in Wales and Northern Ireland can claim maintenance grants which do not have to be undergraduates normally resident in Wales are entitled to at least £1,000. Students from the poorest backgrounds who choose to study in London can get up to £10, Northern Ireland the maximum grant is £3, Scottish government offers financial support to certain categories of students, such as those with the UK, students in financial difficulty can apply for hardship funding and they may also be entitled to financial assistance from charities. Will I earn more money with a degree? In general, most graduates can expect to earn more than non-graduates, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).However, it suggests the amount of extra money earned after a university education has to HESA's survey of 2020-21 graduates, the average salary reported 15 months after gaining a degree was £29, also depend on the subject studied and university by the IFS think tank in England suggests, on average, women who studied creative arts and languages degrees earned the same amount in their lifetime as if they had not gone to who studied law, economics or medicine earned over £250,000 more during their career than if they had not got a who studied creative arts on average earned less across their lifetimes than if they had not attended university. Male medicine or economics graduates earned £500,000 more. Attending university can help students from poorer backgrounds earn more than their parents might have done, according to research by education charity the Sutton Trust in only a fifth of graduates who were eligible for free school meals went on to be in the top 20% of earners - compared to almost half of graduates who attended private Sutton Trust says attending a selective university - such as those in the Russell Group of leading universities - gives young people the "best chance of being socially mobile".
