The Fixer: university spending

Have you been left out of pocket due to poor service or sharp practice? Do you have a money problem that won't go away?

It can seem impossible to get a fair result when you are battling a financial issue alone. But never fear! The AOL Money Fixer is here to help.

Dear Fixer,

I am taking a gap year after doing my A levels and am trying to decide which universities to apply to for next year.

I would like to be in London, but I am worried that studying in London will leave me with even bigger student debts.

I have heard that students who go to university in London can apply for larger loans. Is this true? Thank you for your help.

S Naylor, Rotherham

Dear Ms Naylor,

Wherever you decide to study, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,000 a year – the maximum a university can charge full-time students.

You can also apply for a Maintenance Loan to help cover the cost of essentials such as accommodation and food.

If you go to a university in London, the maximum Maintenance Loan you can receive will be £8,009 a year.

That's more than those studying in other parts of the country, especially if they decide to stay in the family home.

Students who live at home while at university can only borrow up to £4,565 a year towards living costs.

However, the extra cash is likely to fall well short of covering all the extra costs of living in the capital.

A recent survey revealed that University College London students pay an average of £185 a week for their accommodation, compared to just £102 a week in Durham and £104 in Leeds.

Unless your parents can afford to support you while you study, you may therefore be better off choosing a university elsewhere in the country.

The Fixer

Whatever your financial problem, write to themoneyfixer@aim.com and The AOL Money Fixer will get on the case.

More from The Fixer...
The Fixer: unfair parking fine

The Fixer: flood insurance fail

The Fixer: cruise compensation