Is it possible to get my entire maintenance loan in september? (got my answer its no)

Well the other side of it is also inevitably some students will leave their course before the end of the year, and they are required to pay back pro-rata any maintenance loan that has been paid which is "remaining" based on how long they've been studying (e.g. if they withdraw at the end of term they wouldn't need to pay any of the instalment back; if they withdrew halfway through term, they'd need to pay half back).

Disbursing in installments allows the SLC to reduce the risk of lending by making it more likely they will get repaid in such cases, or minimising how much cost they incur if they don't get the repayment (either ever or not immediately requiring it to be chased and legal interventions to take place). Likewise it makes it easier to make adjustments for over/underpayments as the course progresses, rather than dealing with large lump sums once a year.

Really it's more for the SLC's benefit than anyone else I imagine, it does indirectly benefit the young people who are often have less experience in managing their personal finances though.

im studying graphic design and ive been saving up (trying to at least covid and moving house recently wiped out 60% of my savings) to get a quality laptop and drawing pad for uni, along with replacing other electronics and art supplies that have either reached their death or run out since i started doing my gcses. (plus one of my cats is showing signs of problems that are likely going to be expensive that i know my mum cant cover alone)

its not that i cant spread these big costs over the year, i just planned to get them all out of the way at the start (including rent) because thats just the way i prefer to do things, and only today learned its not a lump loan its staggered, its not gonna kill me its just a lot of stress and faff trying to juggle all these costs when i thought i had a plan that worked.

How did you not know student finance was paid in instalments?

oh i totally understand why they do it, its just a shame that we dont get the choice because some people are irresponsible.

ah well, gotta suck it up and make it work

Lol can you imagine the mess if students (especially 18 year olds who'd never seen that much money in their account before) were given it all in one go.

Due to big expenses at the start of the year (buying new household essentials, getting a new laptop and wanting to pay off all my rent at the start of the year) I created a budget that covers all these expenses, allows me to save a fair amount for emergencies (the amount i can have saved is nothing to sniff at and includes enough to keep me going over summer in case i cant get a job - just highlighting that this is some genuine thought out serious money management), and still gives me a good amount to use for buying nonessentials.

However I have only just learned that we get our maintenance loan (from the government) in three parts each term. This puts a spanner in the works for me, as it will mean during the first term i will barely be able to eat, and in the last term have more money than i know what to do with. I can redo my budget and work something out, but having things hanging over me (owing family/friends money and not knowing my rent is paid and done) will cause a LOT of stress.

Is there a way for me to get my entire maintenance loan from the government all at once in September?

We don't get the choice because the party who would be worse off would be SFE. They aren't going to screw themselves over when it's not needed.

Nothing to sniff at, that just oozes arrogance with probably a tiny sum of money 😂. That you've done what exactly to recieve, passed your A levels.... You didn't even have to sit

yea i get that, its just a shame is all

No - it's fair. This is tax payers money and if you drop out then it all needs recovering ... SFE need to look after the money

mate i took a gap year, i sat my a levels, i got an unconditional offer.

the amount i would be able to save is £2600

dont make assumptions about me

i do understand why they dont do it, its just a shame.

students should be taught how to budget so that this isnt an issue, those who feel confident can get a lump those who need more support get it by term

That's barely 4 month's of money if your scraping..a tiny amount 😂. When your an actual adult, with real bills you will see 😂. You shouldn't sound cocky about a government loan. Not a good look.

Most people manage to budget fine getting in by term. You aren't paid your whole yearly

Due to big expenses at the start of the year (buying new household essentials, getting a new laptop and wanting to pay off all my rent at the start of the year) I created a budget that covers all these expenses, allows me to save a fair amount for emergencies (the amount i can have saved is nothing to sniff at and includes enough to keep me going over summer in case i cant get a job - just highlighting that this is some genuine thought out serious money management), and still gives me a good amount to use for buying nonessentials.

However I have only just learned that we get our maintenance loan (from the government) in three parts each term. This puts a spanner in the works for me, as it will mean during the first term i will barely be able to eat, and in the last term have more money than i know what to do with. I can redo my budget and work something out, but having things hanging over me (owing family/friends money and not knowing my rent is paid and done) will cause a LOT of stress.

Is there a way for me to get my entire maintenance loan from the government all at once in September?

If that was an option it would be a disaster and a bit naive.
You already know your answer, but dont think they would have taken you seriously anyway.
Just get a bank account with a decent overdraft and smooth it that way

i feel like maintenance loan isnt really a salary or a loan, its like the mid ground, you dont get it all at once but its not monthly either. anyway i was pointing out that if they cannot give an adult £6000-£9000 in one go without them blowing it, maybe the issue is no one teaches them to budget in school/at home? the people who budget for one term would manage for a year, and people that blow the years money also blow the terms money.

either way im not here to pick apart why the education system is broken in terms of life skills haha, ive got my answer and now i can go redo all my preparation and know im definitely still sorted for the year

I never ONCE said it was unfair??? its just a shame that this is how it is. i understand why they do it and i never said its a bad way to do it, just that its a shame.

Due to big expenses at the start of the year (buying new household essentials, getting a new laptop and wanting to pay off all my rent at the start of the year) I created a budget that covers all these expenses, allows me to save a fair amount for emergencies (the amount i can have saved is nothing to sniff at and includes enough to keep me going over summer in case i cant get a job - just highlighting that this is some genuine thought out serious money management), and still gives me a good amount to use for buying nonessentials.

However I have only just learned that we get our maintenance loan (from the government) in three parts each term. This puts a spanner in the works for me, as it will mean during the first term i will barely be able to eat, and in the last term have more money than i know what to do with. I can redo my budget and work something out, but having things hanging over me (owing family/friends money and not knowing my rent is paid and done) will cause a LOT of stress.

Is there a way for me to get my entire maintenance loan from the government all at once in September?