The Student Room Group

Travel grant

I'm a bit confused as it states "Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical." So would this include taking a direct flight if it's quicker but more expensive - up to how much would be ok as direct flights can be just a 100 more or more than that at busy times. And "up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad" would this mean a return flight has to be booked at first together and then claimed back, or can they be booked separately eg. One single flight to fly out at the start of the academic year and claimed to be reimbursed (save for the £303) and another booked later to return to the uk around Christmas for example and fully reimbursed (so the two separate flights counted as return) as plans could change later down the line and I'm not sure if flexible tickets would be reimbursed as they are also more expensive? Also, if there were a layover in another country, how long would be acceptable, eg 24 hrs, 48 etc? I'd appreciate if this could be clarified

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Hi there,

The class and method of travel should be deemed reasonable (ie no business class,) standard economy is expected, if no hold luggage is included in the flight price we will cover the cost of 1 hold bag (general guide is up to 23KG). However if enhanced economy class flights have been purchased e.g. Economy Flex or Economy Flex Plus, we would require evidence to show that this was the only or least expensive option available at the time of booking as these fares offer additional benefits. You do not need to book your return ticket at the same time.

Thanks, Drew
Original post by Drew SLC
Hi there,

The class and method of travel should be deemed reasonable (ie no business class,) standard economy is expected, if no hold luggage is included in the flight price we will cover the cost of 1 hold bag (general guide is up to 23KG). However if enhanced economy class flights have been purchased e.g. Economy Flex or Economy Flex Plus, we would require evidence to show that this was the only or least expensive option available at the time of booking as these fares offer additional benefits. You do not need to book your return ticket at the same time.

Thanks, Drew

Also, is the £303 referring to each set of flights or the whole year as I read somewhere that it was for the whole year? And, does the airline/time taken matter if it is around the same price or slightly more expensive (£100-£200) as long as it's economy class and going direct to the destination?
Original post by macaronichez
Also, is the £303 referring to each set of flights or the whole year as I read somewhere that it was for the whole year? And, does the airline/time taken matter if it is around the same price or slightly more expensive (£100-£200) as long as it's economy class and going direct to the destination?

Hi there.

It is possible to be reimbursed for more than the £303. However, this is calculated based on the Household Income figure provided by the induvial who supports your application. We cannot calculate this from here or over the phone, the only way this is possible is once we receive all of the evidence/flight information, you will be informed of how much can be reimbursed. Thanks - David
Original post by David SLC
Hi there.

It is possible to be reimbursed for more than the £303. However, this is calculated based on the Household Income figure provided by the induvial who supports your application. We cannot calculate this from here or over the phone, the only way this is possible is once we receive all of the evidence/flight information, you will be informed of how much can be reimbursed. Thanks - David

I was under the impression that all of it would be reimbursed save for £303 (if you have the lowest household income, like myself)? So I was asking if this was referring to each set of flights we'd have to pay the first £303 or it's for the whole year's flight and travel costs we'd pay for the first £303 and the rest would get reimbursed 1 to 1?

Also could you let me know if a travel grant claim would be denied based on flying at a slightly more expensive time or airline eg. Booking an evening flight that costs £100 or £200 more instead of a morning one that costs less or flying on a more reliable airline for £100-£200 more as I've had bad experiences with certain airlines with delays etc.
Original post by macaronichez
I was under the impression that all of it would be reimbursed save for £303 (if you have the lowest household income, like myself)? So I was asking if this was referring to each set of flights we'd have to pay the first £303 or it's for the whole year's flight and travel costs we'd pay for the first £303 and the rest would get reimbursed 1 to 1?

Also could you let me know if a travel grant claim would be denied based on flying at a slightly more expensive time or airline eg. Booking an evening flight that costs £100 or £200 more instead of a morning one that costs less or flying on a more reliable airline for £100-£200 more as I've had bad experiences with certain airlines with delays etc.

Hi there,

You pay the first £303 of the overall travel costs, that's right: it's not £303 for each individual claim.

Normally, if the difference is only a few hundred pounds then it shouldn't be a problem. Just to check, have you already booked any of these flights, or are you still considering it?

Thanks, Graeme
Original post by Graeme SFE
Hi there,

You pay the first £303 of the overall travel costs, that's right: it's not £303 for each individual claim.

Normally, if the difference is only a few hundred pounds then it shouldn't be a problem. Just to check, have you already booked any of these flights, or are you still considering it?

Thanks, Graeme

Hi, I'm still considering it and I'm planning on buying the tickets closer to when I get my timetable etc. so I wanted to ask about it beforehand. Also if any extra luggage is added would it be ok to still claim back the flight cost and just pay for the extra myself?
Original post by macaronichez
Hi, I'm still considering it and I'm planning on buying the tickets closer to when I get my timetable etc. so I wanted to ask about it beforehand. Also if any extra luggage is added would it be ok to still claim back the flight cost and just pay for the extra myself?

You can still claim this and it will reviewed accordingly. Thanks, Jason
Original post by SFE Jason
You can still claim this and it will reviewed accordingly. Thanks, Jason
Also if both basic/value economy and standard economy are offered, standard economy would be acceptable I assume? And if seat reservations are not included would that also be reimbursed?
Original post by macaronichez
Also if both basic/value economy and standard economy are offered, standard economy would be acceptable I assume? And if seat reservations are not included would that also be reimbursed?
We can't confirm regarding the seat reservation as it's the team who determine this. If you do have further questions regarding this, you can contact us on 0300 100 0607 or via the live chat in your account and we can contact the team if you state all the queries for the travel grant you have. They'll then respond accordingly with confirmation. Thanks, Jason
Reply 10
Original post by SFE Jason
We can't confirm regarding the seat reservation as it's the team who determine this. If you do have further questions regarding this, you can contact us on 0300 100 0607 or via the live chat in your account and we can contact the team if you state all the queries for the travel grant you have. They'll then respond accordingly with confirmation. Thanks, Jason

Hi,
Thanks for the response, I assume standard economy is ok then, even if cheaper (value/light) is offered?
Original post by macaronichez
Hi,
Thanks for the response, I assume standard economy is ok then, even if cheaper (value/light) is offered?
Hi there,

The class and method of travel should be deemed reasonable (ie no business class,) standard economy is expected.

Thanks,
Claire
Reply 12
Original post by Claire SFE
Hi there,
The class and method of travel should be deemed reasonable (ie no business class,) standard economy is expected.
Thanks,
Claire

Hi,

Would medical expenses in preparation for studying abroad also be able to be reimbursed eg. A fit to travel doctor's note for the host university?
Original post by macaronichez
Hi,
Would medical expenses in preparation for studying abroad also be able to be reimbursed eg. A fit to travel doctor's note for the host university?

I would always advise submitting all evidence and the team will review this and determine this. Thanks, Jason
Reply 14
Original post by SFE Jason
I would always advise submitting all evidence and the team will review this and determine this. Thanks, Jason

I've taken a look at the form and it says I need to send it to the address given is there also an email address available? Also would suitcases etc. be able to be reimbursed?
Hi macaronichez,

You can upload the form through your online account or you can send it to us by post. We do not accept evidence submissions by email.

We would not reimburse suitcases.

Thanks,
Calum
Reply 16
Original post by Calum SLC
Hi macaronichez,
You can upload the form through your online account or you can send it to us by post. We do not accept evidence submissions by email.
We would not reimburse suitcases.
Thanks,
Calum

Through the student finance account?
Reply 17
Original post by macaronichez
Through the student finance account?

Also I've been looking at flights and for the dates on the airline I was looking at mainly only Flexi fares seem to be available but they are around the same price £1000 direct one way instead of around £900 and similar for returns. So how would I go about proving this and if I do book a Flexi fares with this airline will it still definitely get reimbursed or not?
Reply 18
Also how long does it take to get reimbursed once a claim is submitted
Original post by macaronichez
Also how long does it take to get reimbursed once a claim is submitted

It's current taking 6 working days to process Travel Grant claims. Our timescales are estimates and can change daily up or down depending on how busy we are. If the team need anything else they will email you, it may go to your junk folder.

Thanks,
Claire

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