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Student Finance

Student bursary and scholarship sources

Get the lowdown on applications, plus a handy list of resources and organisations that offer students financial support.

pound coin stack next to woman on laptop

Credit: Ubermensch Matt (left), Flamingo Images (right) - Shutterstock

Whether you're calculating the costs of going to uni or figuring out just how you're going to make it through the next year, there are millions of pounds of free funding that you may be entitled to (although, unfortunately, it's not all for you).

It's not always that easy to access the funding. For one thing, bursary and scholarship cash comes with eligibility criteria. Secondly, finding out what's available, what you're entitled to and getting your hands on the cash can take time, legwork and perseverance.

That's why we've put this guide to funding sources together to get you on the right track. Let's go!

Our guide to bursaries, scholarships and grants has a list of the major funds. It's worth checking if you're eligible for one of them before spending your time finding others.

Where to search for bursaries, scholarships and grants

Here are the best places to find bursaries, scholarships and grants, as well as some of the major funds:

  1. The Scholarship Hub

    Scholarship hub

    The Scholarship Hub includes funds offered by universities themselves, companies, charities, trusts and other organisations as well as information on sponsored degrees and degree apprenticeships.

    It's a great place to find scholarships for UK students.

    Visit »

     

  2. Turn2us

    turn2us logo

    This is a good place to start if you're interested in the charity route. But be aware that not all the charities listed on Turn2us will offer grants for students (it may be for carers, those with a disability or people experiencing financial hardship).

    Visit »

     

  3. British Council

    British council

    Geared towards funding for international students looking to study in the UK, the British Council site links to lots of relevant sites and funds worth checking out.

    Visit »

     

  4. Student Health Association

    student health association funding

    This is a top-up fund to the Disabled Students' Allowance (which you'll need to have applied for first). You must be in full-time education to be eligible and could get up to £500.

    Apply »

     

  5. The Savoy Educational Trust

    savoy educational trust funding

    If you're taking a hospitality or catering-related degree then this could be of use to you – up to £500 to help pay towards fees or equipment, such as your uniform and tools.

    Apply »

     

  6. The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)

    tass talented athlete scholarship scheme

    Are you talented? Are you an athlete? This one's for you. If you're a pro athlete you could receive support and services from the TASS.

    Apply »

     

  7. Crowd Scholar

    crowd scholar funding

    Crowd Scholar awards scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them attend university.

    There aren't too many awards on offer. However, if you meet the criteria, it's well worth applying.

    Apply »

     

What are bursaries and scholarships?

Bursaries, scholarships and grants help students who need financial support get through university. Unlike your loan, none of these need to be repaid.

They're all basically the same thing (i.e. a pot of money that isn't repayable), but there are some distinctions between them. Grants typically come from government money, while bursaries and scholarships tend to be funded by universities, private companies, individuals, or anyone else who feels especially generous.

Grants and bursaries also tend to be income-dependent, while scholarships are typically based on merit (like an academic or sporting achievement).

It can be tricky to figure out who gets what. There are schemes for school students, mature students, postgrad, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, students with disabilities or dependants, and funding for full-time, part-time, higher and further education courses – and they all vary across the UK.

Sadly, there's no unified system that helps students see what's available from one place. But to help get you started, this guide covers the basic facts and funders.

Don't let the elite reputations of top unis put you off. Check out our interview with Ibz Mo, the YouTuber who smashed boundaries at Cambridge.

Which bursaries and scholarships are you eligible for?

10 pound notes

All universities and colleges offer bursaries for students from low-income families. Some will even calculate your eligibility for you when you apply for your course (if you share your income details from your Student Finance application) and will automatically make an award of cash, fee discounts or equipment.

Lots of bursaries/scholarships are dependent on household income, but not all of them. You can also get funding for academic success (whether it's success in your A Levels/Highers or the uni entrance exams), subject choice or sports.

Some charities offer funds for a whole range of circumstances, although again you may find you're not eligible for most funds (they're often based on factors like location, religion and race). There are also bursaries set aside for international students and even career choices (including the NHS, teaching and social work).

Even if you don't think you'll qualify for anything, it's worth looking. There are some seriously unusual bursaries, grants and scholarships out there, and you could easily be eligible.

Bottom line? If you want to find extra funding for students, search creatively.

Common sources of bursaries and scholarships

We've outlined some of the main sources above, but before you start hammering Google for scholarship info, it's best to look close to home.

If you're still at school, talk to your careers department – they may know about any community funds you can get your hands on. Next, hit up your local authority (council) – some will have pots of money set aside to help students from the local area go to uni.

Already receive funding (for a disability, for instance)? Speak with your funding officer about what else is available.

Now's also the time to search for 'bursary' on your regional government direct (e.g. NI Direct) or Student Finance portal.

Also, spend some time perusing your university's website. They should list what's on offer, along with eligibility and deadline info. You could also get in touch with the student union's welfare office.

If you're applying to a collegiate university (one made up of several colleges), ask about college cash as well as uni-wide funds.

Finally, if you're returning to study, don't dismiss the idea of asking your employer or Jobcentre about back-to-school incentives.

Applying for a scholarship, bursary or grant

There are three main things to remember when it comes to how and when you should apply for extra funding at university:

  1. It's never too EARLY to start your search – Do it while you're researching your university and course choices, and earmark any funds with open deadlines, just in case you find yourself in financial difficulties later in the year.
  2. It's never too LATE to start your search – Some bursaries may not have an application deadline, or you may still be able to apply for funding for next year's studies.
  3. But when possible, apply early – Scholarships attract fierce competition and rarely do deadline extensions. Start applying in the autumn of the year before your course starts, if you can.

Once you've found potential funds, make sure you check all the details. There's no point in applying for a fund if you don't meet the eligibility criteria. Find out when you'll get the money, and plan out how to save it or use it.

You should also check what happens if you drop out of uni, if your household income changes, or if taking the money means you're tied to working for a specific organisation when you graduate.

Some external funders (e.g. charities and corporations) may want you to write a personal statement or budget plan. If it's a scholarship, you may need to attend an interview or make a presentation.

Check out our guide on everything you need to know about Student Finance. You may find you're eligible for extra funding from the government that you weren't aware of.

Once you've got your extra money, don't blow it all on a trip to Vegas. And, if there's money available over more than one year, don't forget to re-apply if that's part of the deal.

If you're struggling to find funding, or still can't balance your books, don't give up. Talk to your university or its welfare officers – they've got things in place to try and make sure nobody's unfairly priced out of getting an education. For example, you might be able to apply for hardship funding.

Now you know what we know, go forth and prosper. Good luck!

Bursaries, scholarships and grants are one of our favourite sources of free money.

Comments

Narzi

Hi All, We moved to the UK two years . Next year when my son will be attending university, we have not finished 3 years working in the UK to be considered as a home student for loan. He is and outstanding student almost. He has achieved two "Top in the world" awards in biology and physics in IGCSE from University of Cambridge with 6 A* ( 95+) (number of subjects are is not as many as you have in GCSE). He has achieved many gold awards in maths, physics, chemistry and bio in A-level so far. He is an active researcher as well, and have published some journal and conference papers internationally. He will be attending to university next year and now we are looking for a way to get loan or scholarship as I cannot afford his tuition fee. Any help will be highly appreciated.

Chaz

Hi, all please help me find a charity to help me. I did two years of study previously, however, student finance said they will only pay for my last two years of the degree I'm starting this September. That means I will have to pay 9250 course fees this year. I lost my job when the council moved me out of London escaping domestic violence and pretty much lost my confidence my job family and all support network. I didn't complete my two years HnD because of domestic violence and I don't know where to turn to for help.

Al

HI im a mature student just finishing my 2nd year, moving onto my 3rd, although i get i think near the maximum amount of grants etc, i am still struggling financially, as i travel back and forth most weekends due to family commitments. Although i have no mortgage to pay, i still have to pay money for "rent" at my parents house with me being 30+ i can't expect to stay there for free, otherwise i would technically be homeless. i now have a maxed out overdraft which i can not extend anymore, and a maxed out credit card because i couldn't extend my overdraft, so I'm in a bit of a precarious position now. Any advice would be greatly received!

R rose

My 20 year old son has just been given a place on the national youth theatre rep course. This is promotEd as an affordable alternative to drama school. How ever he still needs to raise funds to live in london from May to December. He can apply to the N Y T for abursery towards some of the costs. There will still be a large gap which he will have to raise the funds for. He is not able to apply for a student loan and we do log have enough personal funds to cover. Any ideas...

Amanda McCormack

Hey, try the Princes trust.

Jake Butler

Hi, unfortunately it seems as if you've managed to hunt down all the funding available. You could try looking at sponsorship from a charity or even private donor. Aside from that your son will need to look elsewhere for income to help fund the degree. The best shout is a part-time job.

Ann

Where's the best places to apply for funding for my daughter to study at a private institute in America. I'm a single parent and on low income.

Jake Butler

Hi Ann, it's likely that funding for a private American university won't be available. You can find out more here: http://www.savethestudent.o...

Rebecca Nankyinga

Hello my name is Becky an undergraduate university student in my first year at university am requesting to find out how i can be helped funding my tuition. Thank you.

Claire

Hi there my daughters starting a new college in sept, She has learning difficulties but never been fully diagnosed, can we get any financial helps he's 17 and I'm a single parent on working tax credits thanks

Jake Butler

Hi Claire, thanks for getting in touch. I think the best option would be to gain some sort of official diagnosis. Once you have that you can contact the university to ask what kind of support is available.

Angela

Im doing my post grad in wales i have moved from england after doing my previous courses there and now im looking to get help finacially but i cant get student finance as ive moved closer to my uni can any one help please

Rachael

Hi, I am going to be starting my first year of uni in September this year and am looking to find a grant or bursary to help me with the financial side of moving away. I am moving across the country for uni and have a low household income. I am aware that government grants are being stopped this year and so am trying to find a different way of getting a grant or bursary. Any help regarding where to look for one would be great. Many thanks

Tim

I'm in a bit of an odd situation here, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm coming to the end of my first year as an undergraduate. I'm a mature student (in my forties) with a learning difficulty that has impacted my financial well-being over the years. I'm on full maintenance grant. My problem is that I have to go into hospital for a major op straight after my exams in June and I won't be able to work at all over the Summer break. It would seem the only benefits I'm entitled to are contributory-based and I know I haven't paid enough stamp over the years to be eligible. So basically, I have no income over Summer. What can I do? The idea of being homeless whist recovering fills me with dread, let alone the need to meet day-to-day costs and I've already got creditors snapping at my heels.

Jake Butler

Hi Tim, I'm very sorry to hear about your situation. My best advice would be to contact your university support centre to see what they would advise in this situation.

Rosita

Hi, I'm a second-year university student and in September I'll be starting my third year. I am looking for grants ar any financial help but it looks like I'm not eligible for anything! I'm Italian but it's been only a year since I'm leaving in Europe. My family's income is not that low, but I have two younger sisters (one of them also at uni and the other in a private international school 'cause her English is still not good) and my parents have to pay for their studies too. Last year my grandparents and uncle helped with the costs but I am afraid they can't also give us support for next year. If this happens my parents will probably struggle a bit but for sure we won't lose the opportunity to study. Though I am concerned that this would mean spending their money on our studies instead of promoting their recently-opened business. And I don't want this to happen. Would u be able to give me any advice? Thank you.

Jake Butler

Hi Rosita, sorry to hear that you're in a tricky situation. Unfortunately it sounds like your parents earn above the threshold and therefore the government "suggest" that they should be supporting you and topping up your loan. For this reason you most likely won't be eligible for any extra funding.

Bella

Hi

I'm in the running for a place on the Three Year BA in Professional Acting at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. I'll be moving away from home, the family's hit some rather dire straights so I can't get any financial support from them and the high contact hours for the course stop me from getting a part time job whilst studying. Is there any help available for me?

Jake Butler

Hi Bella, the good news is that if your family's household income below a certain threshold you will be eligible for a larger loan amount. Check out the table here for more info: http://www.savethestudent.o...

Ashley Benson

Hi, do most bursaries apply to second and third year as well as first? for example if circumstances change.

Jake Butler

If your circumstances change then you may no longer be eligible for the bursary. However, it depends on which one you have received and the terms involved.

Ashley Benson

Hi sorry, i mean if circumstances change from not being eligible to being eligible. So if cirumstances changed to make me more eligible, then do the bursaries/ funds still apply in second and third year?

Jake Butler

I believe you can still apply although it's worth checking with student finance.

nicky

Hi, my son was offered a double scholarship at a really good provate school we didn't have all details to go onto make a decision and decided to apply for a bursary, we then decided to decline the offer as we werbt accepted for the bursary so we decided to accept a offer from a really good local academy. I really regret making the decision of not accoeting the offer but they really didnt give us much infornation about the scholarship as we didn't have much clarification on what the scholarship covered and panicked into declining the offer. After searching and looking for good private schools I feel like I have let my son down as we didn't even have the money for the acceptance fee which was £2,000 pounds, I have asked them to put him on the waiting list but still they haven't sent any information of how much the scholarship would cover and we probably would apply for a bursary again do you think we should ? Do you know much about double scholarships? My friends keep saying many charities organisations may help us but I don't know where to start . My son is so gifted he passed everything with flying colours I feel I have let my son down its caused me sleepless nights because he has so much potential it's caused ne sleepless nights . I know he will do well wherever he will get his education but it's such a great opportunity to pass him by what do you think ?

Jake Butler

Hi, is this for a university course? I'm a little confused.

nicky

Hi sorry this is for a place at a private school he was supposed to be starting this September in year 7

Jake Butler

Hi Nicky, most of my knowledge is for university degree funding. I was not actually aware you could get funding for year 7 study, especially if it's for a private school. I would suggest talking to them about this.

Kasey Williams

I will be studying BA Musical Theatre degree at Blackpool and Flyde college in september 2016. Please can you advise me on any funding or scholorships i can apply for to support me throught the duration of the course. Many thanks

Jake Butler

Hi Kasey, aside from the maintenance loan and any other student loans the funding that might possibly be available to you could be quite unique. With that in mind I would contact the college to see if they can advise you on anywhere to look.

Heather

I am a high school student, doing her A levels and would like to get a scholarship to study journalism abroad. I am a talented author not by profession and I wrote my first book at the age of 14 but my parents do not have enough money to help me further this.

David Thompson

I'm self employed taxi driver and decided to better my life. I have just enrolled for a electrician course so iam a mature student. I have funding from college but was wondering if I qualify for any bursaries.

Jake Butler

Hi David, is it a UK university undergraduate degree? If not I can't be sure on the funding available.

Angela Ewurum

How do I subscribe for this funding information to be emailed to me. I'm preparing for my A level courses aiming to study medicine in Cambridge. My parents can't afford to pay for the course as such I need every financial help that's available.

Sue

Completely agree re benefits/single parents. I was widowed, my daughter wants to go to uni but because I remarried my husbands salary is included in income even though he pays mortgage where his ex and child live and csa. She won't/can't get a boyfriend so she gets every benefit going and her child can get free uni fees as his fathers salary doesn't count for him. My daughter isn't supported emotionally or financially by my husband yet she can't get any help! Do I gave to divorce so she can get equal help? Country is so wrong.

cheats

Im a tax payer who has put two children though uni they have had to get jobs and taken on big debts why can a student with divorced parents cheat the government to there benefit ie child lives with mother up untill 2nd year of uni then mother get married incomes become above 42 000 so then changes his address to his father who is a pensioner .so now he gets full grant money .and the father gets help top up pension. Im sick of it one rule for the well of and another for the working class this must be sorted out now

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