Maintenance loan when doing an internship abroad

Hello,

I am an undergraduate student doing Modern Languages and this October I'm going on a compulsory year abroad. I found an internship in Paris, which is paid at the minimum intern wage, about 600 euros a month ( less than a rent in a half decent studio/ room in a house share).

I have just filed in my Student Finance application and to my horror I learned that because I'm doing an internship, it is capped at just over 3k for the whole year, which is some 300+ quid per month. I had assumed they would just take the amount i will earn and subtract it from the maintenance I would otherwise get.

I would like to know if I would I get the full year abroad maintenance loan if I were doing an unpaid internship instead ?

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 1

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

Original post

by Tom161

Hello,
I am an undergraduate student doing Modern Languages and this October I'm going on a compulsory year abroad. I found an internship in Paris, which is paid at the minimum intern wage, about 600 euros a month ( less than a rent in a half decent studio/ room in a house share).
I have just filed in my Student Finance application and to my horror I learned that because I'm doing an internship, it is capped at just over 3k for the whole year, which is some 300+ quid per month. I had assumed they would just take the amount i will earn and subtract it from the maintenance I would otherwise get.
I would like to know if I would I get the full year abroad maintenance loan if I were doing an unpaid internship instead ?

Hi Tom,

Based on the details you've provided this is correct, unfortunately. When you do a full year placement (paid or unpaid) you're entitled to a reduced rate Maintenance Loan.

In this case we'd suggest speaking to your university's Finance team: they may be able to offer help and advice.

Thanks, Graeme