Payment of OSPAP fees?

[GoatGirl]

I'm a licensed pharmacist from the US that has moved to the UK in early 2009. Hopefully I'll be attending Aston's OSPAP programme next fall, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me how they paid the course fee.

Now I know that school loans for foreigners are not readily available. It appears you have to be residing in the country for at least 3 years before the start of the course for funds to be available (I will have only been here 1.5yr by October), and that sometimes post-graduate courses might not be eligible for these loans either. While I could probably pay the entire sum out of pocket, that's not the ideal situation as my husband and I are looking into buying our first house.

I've put in an email to the head of the programme at Aston, and the only information she could offer me was that some pharmacists had their fee at least partially paid for by the company that was hiring them and taking them on for their pre-registration year (hiring was usually done before they left their country). I may look into trying to get sponsorship in this manner, but am looking for other advice from people that have already been down this road.

Even if there are no "loans" available, does anyone know if the universities set up payment plans where you could pay the fee in say, 4 to 6 chunks or so?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[GoatGirl]

*bump*

Please, anyone's experience would be useful here, what did you all do? Pay the entire fee outright?

[paul2008]

RGU and Sunderland allow you to pay in installments(with a discount for paying upfront I think). I'm sure I borrowed money when I had been here less than 3 years but I guess it depends on your individual circumstances. Paying back the money I borrowed is not easy though. Sponsorship is difficult to get but a number of people I know part supported themselves working as dispensers at almost minimum wage( or security guards-probably not your cup of tea).

If you need any more details PM me.

[shan]

I agree with Paul. My wife had to take out a personal loan as I was not eligible for a student loan (less than 3 years in UK) My suggestion is decide what you want first ?? Become a Pharmacist or buy a House ??? Its totally a personal issue.

Shan