Finance Options For Post Graduates

Sigh. If only everything in life was free!

Unfortunately, opting to proceed with postgraduate studies comes at a pretty steep price (think excessive living costs and tuition fees). And it’s usually self-funded, which can be pretty stressful.

Not will the worry about the content of your course weigh heavily on your mind, but you might also find yourself struggling with your financial situation.

Here are some of the best finance options for post-graduates to explore.

Take Out A Loan

Arguably the first thing you should consider when looking to finance your postgraduate study is taking out a student loan from the government.

One of the best types of loans you can take out as a postgraduate is a Grand Plus loan. If you want to get an overview of a Grand PLUS loan, make sure to navigate to this link However, there are different loan options out there that vary depending on where you live.

Student loans might appear to have preferential rates, but the overall conditions of every loan can vary quite a bit. Make sure to research the terms and conditions before signing up.

US Students

US students can secure Federal Student Aid that takes the form of a US Department of Education loan.

UK Students

The UK government provide postgraduate loan to all eligible students. In fact, this is the major funding source for the majority of these students that will help to cover living costs and course fees.

Postgraduate students in the UK can also inquire about career loans with private banking institutions like Lloyds Bank and Barclays in conjunction with the Learning and Skills Council.

University Funding

In terms of funding for postgraduate study, the options vary considerably from one institution to the next. As a result, there is a pretty wide choice of bursaries and scholarships, or even alumni fee discounts, available.

Bursaries and scholarships tend to be given out to students with much higher potential in their respective fields. They are also often awarded on merit, yet some are aimed at specific genders, nationalities, or ethnic groups.

The amount of funding provided will vary depending on your chosen field of study and the university that you attend.

Charities

There also happens to be a growing number of foundations, trusts, and charities that work to help postgraduate students cover the cost of their studies.

To find out more, or where to begin looking, have a glance online or speak to different people at your university such as a professor, a tutor, or student support services.

Part-Time Wage

Students may also want to consider taking on a part-time job to help to fund their postgraduate studies. This will entail either working in the local community or taking a job on campus.

Some courses will be a lot more study-heavy than others, so taking on the stress of a part-time job may not always be the most feasible option.

If you have the time and energy to get a part-time job, try working for a company with an understanding and flexible manager. This makes a very big difference!

Employer Sponsorship

If you already have a job before applying for your postgraduate studies, asking your employer for a potential sponsorship may be the perfect solution!

It allows you to further your studies, and increase employability, all while receiving the necessary funding to cover the total costs of your studies.

If your workplace doesn’t have a further-study scheme set up, you can put together a strong case and present it to your manager. In this, make sure to emphasize how an employer sponsorship will add value to the business while helping you to do your job.

Whatever you do, make sure to develop a full understanding of the terms of any agreement. This is because you might be required to pay some (or all of) the money back if you were to leave your employment within a specific time frame.

Savings

If you are fortunate enough to have built up a solid savings pot before you apply to or embark on a postgraduate degree, then you may want to use this money to fund your program.

One avenue you may want to pursue is to take a year out of your studies, get a full-time job, and even live at home for little or no rent. This is not an ideal solution — especially if you are keen to immediately get stuck into your studies.

You may be able to save a decent amount of money by doing this, which could make it considerably easier to survive (financially) when you eventually begin your postgrad.

We know, the idea of spending your hard-earned cash and losing what may be a significant financial buffer might be a worry. As a result, you may want to think of it as an investment that will set you up for life instead of just a single purchase.

Summary

These are the most effective finance options for post-graduates. However, if your family and close friends are willing (and able) to help you, this may be another excellent financial option to explore!