FINANCIAL SUPPORT

TUITION FEES
If you are a home student or a European Union national and you are on a postgraduate course which leads to qualified teacher status you are eligible to have all tuition fees paid in full. The fees are paid for you from public funds and you do not have to repay this help. Home students should apply to the LEA and EU students should contact the DfES European Team at www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/students_eu.cfm

TRAINING BURSARY
Home and EU students on postgraduate courses which lead to qualified teacher status at institutions in England are eligible for a training bursary, as long as they do not already hold qualified teacher status and are not employed as teachers in a school or further- or higher-education institutions. This bursary is currently £6000. The teacher training college will arrange the payments, which if you are on a one year full time course will be received in monthly instalments over nine months. The payment structure for other sorts of courses depends on the structure of those courses.

SECONDARY SHORTAGE SUBJECT SCHEME
This is a scheme based on need and takes into account your financial circumstances. This assessment is carried out by the college or provider of School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT). It is open to student graduates on Key Stage 2/3 or secondary level courses in maths, science, modern languages, design and technology, information technology, geography, music and religious education which lead to qualified teacher status at institutions in England.

This is an income assessment scheme and the maximum amounts, of up to £5000 for under 25 years old, and up to £7500 for trainees over 25 years old, are only awarded in cases of exceptional hardship. An award may not be made at all. The application is made through the teacher training college after you start the course and payment arrangements vary between colleges. Contact your student welfare services section for more information.

GOLDEN HELLOS
The teaching profession is eager to attract high quality, highly motivated graduates into the profession, and if you teach design and technology, English, information and communications technology, mathematics, modern foreign languages or science, you could be eligible for a 'golden hello'. This money can be claimed when you have successfully completed your induction period (three terms) and are in a teaching post in a maintained or non-maintained special school in England or Wales. These shortage subjects are subject to change and an up-to-date list can be found on the www.canteach.gov.uk website.

FAST TRACK
In addition to the £6000 training bursary, eligible postgraduate trainee teachers on the Fast Track Programme will receive a Fast Track bursary of £5000. £3000 will be received at the start of your PGCE and £2000 when you start your first Fast Track teaching post if it is within 15 months of gaining QTS.

REPAYMENT OF TEACHERS' LOANS
This is a scheme which allows the Government to repay, over time the student loans of newly qualified teachers of specified shortage subjects in England and Wales. The scheme is currently operating as a pilot for teachers beginning in the academic year 2002/2003 - 2004/2005. For more details of eligibility criteria, go to www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachersloans

OTHER FINANCIAL HELP
You can also apply for extra help from the access bursary funds and hardship fund from your student support section. For further information please contact the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991.

For complete and up-to-date details of amounts and eligibility criteria, you can request the DfES' comprehensive guide - Financial Support for Higher Education Students in 2002/2003 - to find out more about financial support you can receive from your LEAs or college. The guide deals specifically with support for graduates taking teacher training courses in England and Wales and is available from Wirral Student Support on 666 4637 or visit the Student Support Page or www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport