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Student Finance

Student grants, bursaries and scholarships

£1,000s of student funding is missed out on each year by students who don’t even know that they’re eligible for it. Find out whether you could be due any extra financial support…

univeristy students graduation money

Credit: Fotoinfot (left), Ubermensch Matt (right) - Shutterstock

If your only plan for paying for uni involves a Student Loan and an impending sense of doom, you're missing out!

There's a treasure trove of free money lodged in student grants, scholarships and university bursaries. But many students either don't know about them, don't think they're eligible, or just don't bother applying.

Don't let that be you! Here's your starter for finding the funds you get to keep.

Unless specified, most of the schemes on this page are for undergraduate students. See our guide to postgraduate funding for more ways to get paid.

Types of student funding

Forget hunting down the back of the sofa – when it comes to student funding that doesn't need to be paid back, there are loads of options. Here's each type, as well as what the differences between them are:

What are student grants?

Student grants are available to anyone at university who satisfies the criteria. This includes the Maintenance Grant, which is means-tested (meaning the amount you receive depends on your household income) and is available in Northern Ireland, Scotland (where it's known as the Bursary) and Wales.

Some charities, councils and businesses also stump up funds, often with delightfully specific criteria – as these weird student grants prove.

What are student bursaries?

A bursary is a pot of cash with comparatively narrower criteria, such as being for care leavers, students on specific courses, or those from lower-income backgrounds. Alternatively, the money could be earmarked for specific expenses, such as childcare.

Bursaries are sometimes awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, so you'll need to get in before the pot's empty.

What are student scholarships?

Student scholarships are funds aimed at attracting (or supporting) high achievers. Don't go thinking that they're just about being book smart, though – your country, gender, course or even your eSports skills could all net you fee waivers or free cash.

What are student sponsorships and apprenticeships?

Lucrative but harder to find, degrees sponsored by a company can net you a salary and pay your fees. The trade-off is that it often takes longer to get a degree, as you'll be working at the same time.

But whether they're grants, bursaries, awards or endowments, they all do similar things. Just go by whether they suit your circumstances, not what they're called.

Hardship funds are slightly different. This is emergency cash from your uni that you can only apply for once you're in a bit of trouble. It's worth knowing about (just in case), but it's not money you can (or should) plan for.

Student Finance

piggy bank

Here's what's up for grabs in official undergraduate funding. You can apply for these along with other Student Finance.

We've outlined some of the core criteria for each type of student funding, but if you like the sound of what's on offer, click through and check the details for yourself.

At the bare minimum, you should expect funding to have some kind of nationality and residence criteria (some funds are just for students already settled in the UK), plus limits on how much (if any) university-level study you've already done.

Once you've nailed that lot, any cash you get is paid directly into your student bank account – so it's up to you to make it last.

Maintenance Grant

Full-time students from Northern Ireland can apply for a Maintenance Grant to help with living costs and, unlike the Maintenance Loan, it doesn't have to be paid back.

While that's a win, remember any student grant you get means less loan (you can't max out both cash pots unless you're entitled to the Special Support Grant).

In Wales, the Maintenance Grant is also called the Welsh Government Learning Grant, which is not the same as the Welsh Government Learning Grant (FE), which is for students in further education.

In England, Maintenance Grants are only for continuing students who started their course before August 2016 – anyone who became a student after that date is ineligible. Take a look at our Student Finance guide to see how it affects you.

Maintenance Grant eligibility criteria

If you're from Wales or Northern Ireland, you could be eligible for a Maintenance Grant if you meet all three of the following criteria:

  • You live in the UK (or meet other residency requirements)
  • You are a full-time student studying for a recognised qualification
  • Your household income entitles you to a slice of the funding pie.

How much money can you get?

The higher your household income, the less grant you'll get. However, for students from Wales, it won't impact how much funding you receive in total – your Maintenance Loan will increase by an equivalent amount. In fact, in Wales, the only thing that affects your overall maintenance funding is where you live while studying.

Here's how it stacks up:

CountryMax. grantHousehold income for full grantHousehold income for partial grant
Northern Ireland£3,475Up to £19,203£19,204 – £41,065
Wales (living at home)£6,885Up to £18,370£18,371+
Wales (living away from home, outside London)£8,100Up to £18,370£18,371+
Wales (living at uni, in London)£10,124Up to £18,370£18,371+

Special Support Grant (SSG)

If you're on housing or income support, are a single parent or have a disability, you may be able to swap the Maintenance Grant for a Special Support Grant (in Wales you don't need to swap – some students can get both).

You'll get the same payout but, unlike a Maintenance Grant, it won't reduce the amount of loan you can apply for. An SSG won't affect any benefits you claim, either.

Special Support Grant eligibility criteria

You could be eligible for the SSG if you're a full-time student from Northern Ireland or Wales (or a continuing student from England who started their course prior to 1st August 2016) with special circumstances, for instance:

  • You're a single parent
  • You're a parent and your partner is also at university
  • You have a disability
  • You claim, or are eligible for, some benefits, such as Income Support or the housing element of Universal Credit.

How much money can you get?

The Special Support Grant matches whatever the Maintenance Grant would pay you.

Bursary (Scotland)

In Scotland, maintenance money that doesn't have to be paid back comes in the form of the SAAS Bursary.

How much you can get depends on your household income, as well as whether you're a 'Young student' or an 'Independent student' – take a look at our guide to Student Finance in Scotland if you're not sure which you are.

SAAS Bursary eligibility criteria

You could be entitled to an SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) Bursary if you meet all three of the following criteria:

  • You normally live in Scotland
  • You are a full-time student studying a recognised qualification at a UK university
  • Your household income entitles you to a slice of the funding pie.

How much money can you get?

Here's what's currently up for grabs:

Household incomeYoung studentsIndependent students
Up to £20,999£2,000£1,000
£21,000 – £23,999£1,125£0
£24,000 – £33,999£500£0
£34,000+£0£0
In England, the Maintenance Loan hasn't kept up with inflation, so in 2023/24 you'll be up £1,500 worse off. Please sign our petition calling on the government to increase loans!

Student Finance top-ups

These piles of cash are for special circumstances, such as course-related travel, health conditions or being financially responsible for others. Apply for them through your Student Finance body.

Travel grants

You may be able to get help with travel expenses if you're studying abroad as part of your course or have clinical placements in the UK which mean you need to travel a lot.

Who is eligible for travel grants?

You could be entitled to a travel grant if:

  • You're in full-time university education
  • You meet the UK residence rules
  • You have to travel in the UK for a clinical placement (unless you already get an NHS bursary)
  • You travel abroad to study as part of your course.

Students studying abroad

For students studying abroad, you can claim for return trips between your home and the overseas uni, help with medical insurance and visas.

In England and Wales, you can't claim for the first £303 of your costs, while in Northern Ireland you can't claim for the first £309. In England, Wales and NI, travel grants are means-tested.

You must attend an overseas institution for at least half of each academic term. This period of study can be compulsory or optional.

In Scotland, you can only claim travel expenses if studying abroad is a compulsory part of your course and isn't a paid placement. You'll be able to claim the cost of your journey abroad and your medical insurance. The amount you receive will not be contingent on your household income.

You may also be able to make a claim for expenses linked to visas and baggage, but you must contact SAAS for these before making the claim.

Oh, and you can forget about sipping gin and juice with your first-class train ticket. You'll be expected to use the cheapest form of transport (buses, not taxis), and will need receipts or records to claim expenses (for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland).

We explain travel grants in each part of the UK in more detail in our guide to Student Finance on a year abroad.

Students completing clinical placements in the UK

Students having to travel within the UK for clinical placements may also be able to claim expenses.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you can apply for travel costs between your home and the facility in the UK where you're doing your placement.

In Scotland, no financial support is offered by SAAS to cover travel expenses incurred during clinical placements.

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA)

five pound note

If you have a disability, the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) could help you cope with the extra costs of going to uni. There's support for physical and mental health, as well as conditions such as dyslexia and dyspraxia.

Funding doesn't have to be repaid and isn't means-tested – but if you're already getting money for the same conditions (such as financial support from your uni), you may not be able to apply for DSA as well. Check out the rules before you apply.

How much money can you get?

We have a dedicated guide to DSA funding. However, as a quick overview, here's how much full-time undergraduates can expect to get in 2022/23:

Where you are fromMaximum DSA funding available in 2022/23
England• Single allowance: £25,575* per year
Northern Ireland• Single allowance: £25,000* per year
Scotland• Large items allowance: £5,160 for the whole course
• Non-medical personal help allowance: £20,520 per year
• Basic allowance: £1,725 per year
Wales• Single allowance: £32,546* per year

* This cap doesn't include travel costs. Taking these into account, you could end up receiving more than the stated maximum.

You may also be able to apply for travel expenses.

Other sources of funding for disabled students

If you have a physical disability, we'd suggest that you check your university's website to see whether they offer scholarships for disabled students (aside from the DSA).

You might also want to check out societies relevant to your industry (i.e. if you wanted to study Engineering, you could check what the Royal Academy of Engineering has to offer) and charities that provide support to people with your particular condition, as some offer funding or may be able to advise you on where to look for extra financial support.

Larger private companies may also offer support for students with physical disabilities entering their field. If you have an idea of the industry you'd like to work in, check whether any of the big employers provide funding or have a scheme especially for disabled students.

Our guide to the Disabled Students' Allowances explains the funding in much more detail.

Dependants' and childcare grants

If you're financially responsible for others, you may be entitled to extra help. Again, where you're from in the UK will affect what's on offer, what it's called and your eligibility.

Because these are funds for very specific circumstances, you'll need to check the terms and conditions carefully (e.g. if only single parents are eligible) – along with whether they affect other funding or state benefits you already get.

Dependants' and childcare grants eligibility criteria

Dependants' and childcare grants are generally for students:

  • Who are entitled to Student Finance
  • Who are financially responsible for an adult or child who lives with them
  • Whose income – or that of their household or an adult dependant – qualifies them for help.

How much money can you get for childcare?

Here's a breakdown of the childcare grants available across the UK:

CountryFunding available
EnglandUp to 85% of your childcare costs covered, up to £183.75/week for one child, or £315.03 for two or more
Northern IrelandUp to 85% of your childcare costs covered, up to £148.75/week for one child, or £255 for two or more
Scotland (Lone Parents Childcare Grant)Up to £1,215, amount is decided by your university or college
WalesUp to 85% of your childcare costs covered, up to £184/week for one child, or £315 for two or more

If you already get state benefits that pay for childcare, you may not get the grant. You also can't claim if you get free childcare (or if you rope in your relatives to do it for you).

In Scotland you apply directly to your college or uni for funds – in the rest of the UK, it's through your Student Finance body.

How much money can you get from the Parents' Learning Allowance?

Separate from the childcare grants, full-time students with children are often eligible for the Parents' Learning Allowance.

The available amounts are as follows:

CountryFunding available (per year)
EnglandUp to £1,863
Northern IrelandUp to £1,538
Scotland (Lone Parents Grant)Up to £1,305
WalesUp to £1,862

How much money can you get from the Adult Dependants' Grant?

If you have an adult dependant, you can receive up to the following amounts:

CountryFunding available
EnglandUp to £3,263
Northern IrelandUp to £2,695
ScotlandUp to £2,640
WalesUp to £3,190

Receiving an Adult Dependants' Grant may affect any income-related benefits or credits you receive.

Returning to education after some time away? Check out our guide to Student Loans for mature students.

Student bursaries and scholarships

wolf of wall street throwing cash

Credit: Paramount Pictures

Think of student bursaries and scholarships as cash with criteria – you may be able to grab funding to cover your fees (or a hefty chunk of your living costs), but you're going to have to jump through a few hoops to get it.

Schemes are run by universities, colleges, charities, businesses, local government and even private funders, and each one has its own rules for who gets a look-in.

Eligibility for bursaries and scholarships

Whether or not you're entitled to a bursary or scholarship will generally depend on the following factors:

  • Household income
  • Gender
  • Nationality (not just for international students – some unis offer scholarships for UK students too)
  • Grades
  • Sporting or musical talent
  • The course or subject
  • Special circumstances e.g. you have children or are a care leaver.

How much money can you get?

Anything from a few hundred pounds to several thousand! The money will usually either be paid as a one-off or in yearly wads.

Some universities offer bursaries to students with less than £25,000 in household income – others dole it out to everyone. Either way, it's the mother of all cashback offers, so it's well worth investigating when you apply.

How to apply for bursaries and scholarships

There are loads of places to find funding. Unfortunately, there's no one-stop-shop, so you'll need to hit them all up individually. Luckily for you, we've got a full list of student bursary and scholarship sources.

Course and career funding

There is course and career-related funding available too:

NHS Bursary and other funding

There's a significant amount of extra funding out there for students on nursing, dentistry, medicine or other related healthcare degrees.

And it certainly comes in handy that studying these subjects usually requires some serious brainpower, as figuring out exactly what you are and aren't eligible for is almost worthy of a degree in itself. What's more, on top of the NHS Bursary (which is only available for students from England), there is also a whole range of other similar funds out there.

Fortunately, we've got a comprehensive (and, more importantly, easy to understand) guide to the NHS Bursary and other related grants. But as a taster, here are some of the types of funding you could be eligible for:

  • Tuition fee waiver
  • Bursary (both means-tested and non-means-tested)
  • Access to regular Student Finance if you're ineligible for NHS funding
  • Extra support for disabilities, dependants or travel costs.

Where to apply for funding

England: NHS Business Services Authority

Northern Ireland: Student Finance Northern Ireland

Scotland: Student Awards Agency Scotland

Wales: Student Award Services.

Find out more about NHS bursaries in our in-depth guide.

Social Work Bursaries (SWB)

For students starting social degrees, incentives are patchy, with some schemes not available in all parts of the UK. In Scotland, for example, bursaries are only available for postgraduate students.

Either way, any bursaries available will be capped to a limited number of students each year.

Where they are available, students will also receive an allowance to cover expenses incurred by work-based learning (e.g. travel).

Social Work Bursaries eligibility criteria

You could be entitled to a Social Work Bursary if:

  • You meet residency rules in the country providing the funding
  • You're on an approved course
  • Aren't already getting similar funding for social work training (not including Student Finance).

How much money can you get?

CountryFull-time students
EnglandUp to £5,262.50/year (including travel allowance)
Northern Ireland£4,000/year (plus travel allowance)
Wales£2,500/year (plus travel allowance)

Note: At the time of writing, information wasn't available for the 2022/23 academic year. The table above uses the figures from the 2021/22 academic year, and we'll update it when the new information is available. 

Where to apply for funding

England: NHS Business Services Authority

Northern Ireland: Your course provider will contact you with details of the scheme (more info)

Wales: Social Care Wales.

Teaching grants and bursaries

If you're applying to study a teacher training degree, you get access to the same Student Finance (grants, bursaries and loans) as everyone else.

You might also be able to nibble on extra funding in the form of teaching grants and bursaries. But, unfortunately, they're much harder for undergraduates to get a piece of – most funding is for postgraduates only.

Teaching grants and bursaries eligibility criteria

You could be eligible for a teaching grant or bursary if:

  • You're studying an initial teacher training degree course (such as a BEd, BSc or BA) or PGCE
  • You meet the subject and/or residence criteria.

How much money can you get?

It varies by country and subject demand ('golden hello' incentives can be quite lucrative if there aren't enough teachers in a particular field).

There are far more funding opportunities (and for a wider range of subjects) once you get into postgrad teaching (especially if you get a first class degree at undergrad level!).

Where to apply for funding

England: Department for Education

Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Services Direct

Scotland: Student Awards Agency for Scotland (more info)

Wales: Welsh Government.

Hardship funds

empty wallet
If you find yourself struggling to get by once you start your course, there's one last option for finance to see you through: hardship funds from your uni. We have a dedicated guide to hardship funding which goes into far more detail, but here's a quick summary.

What the scheme is called (e.g. Access to Learning Fund), how much is in the pot and how it's paid will vary by institution but, as the name implies, the money's there to help seriously skint students.

Hardship funds eligibility criteria

You could qualify for a hardship fund if:

  • You're a full-time student (including postgrads)
  • You can prove you've managed your finances responsibly.

How much can you get?

Payouts will vary, and it'll be the uni that decides who gets what. Any money you get will be to cover costs not covered by other forms of funding (i.e. if you're entitled to Student Finance, you'll need to have applied for it already).

Hardship funds don't just come in the form of a grant – you may be offered a loan instead. Don't be put off by that, though – if you've fudged up your finances, support from your uni beats credit card or payday loan debt hands-down.

How to apply

Look out for the fund as it will be called something like 'Access to Learning Fund' in many English unis.

Otherwise, go to your university's student services office. Be prepared for the student support team to scrutinise your bank statements, your spending and your budget (make one now and you'll be sorted when the time comes!).

Always check what happens if you drop out of uni – you may have to repay some or all of the money.

8 golden rules for free student funding

Here are some tips regarding student grants, bursaries and scholarships:

  1. Apply early, especially if funding is limited. Allowing extra time to fill out the paperwork means you're more likely to get the cash when you need it.
  2. If you don't get in early, don't assume you've missed the boat – you can apply for Student Finance up to nine months after your course starts. Check out the Student Finance deadlines.
  3. Check, check and triple check if handouts affect other funding or count towards household income.
  4. Sniff out any strings involved. Does it have to be repaid? What happens if you leave your course early? Can you spend it on whatever you like?
  5. Get educated about what counts as income. It could mean not missing out on funds unnecessarily (it could save you on loan repayments later on, too).
  6. Cash management is king. Learn how to save it, stretch it and work it like a boss.
  7. Exhaust the funding options on this page before borrowing from commercial lenders. If you still need extra cash, a 0% student overdraft should be your next stop.
  8. Don't give up! Finding something you're eligible for can take serious dedication. If you're drawing a blank, don't forget there are other ways to turn a buck. Use 'em.

International student? There are lots of scholarships and student funding up for grabs for you too.

Comments

Belle Hello I have hear that you can get a grant if you study at uni in your hometown? (cornwall) is this correct?

Jake Butler Hi Belle, we don't actually offer grants or bursaries ourselves. You'll need to check the bursary source guide to see how you can hunt them down.

theguvnor Hello STS Can you please tell me if you know of any grants or such for twins attending university in parallel? Many thanks

Jake Butler Unfortunately I'm not aware of any grants. However, you do get a small decrease in the household income which boosts the maintenance loan slightly.

Matt My son has just finished his A 'levels(he's 18) and wants to do a 1 year course costing around £1400. Do we have to pay that or is there a way of funding it?

Jake Butler Hi Matt, it depends what the course is but it sounds like you may have to fund it yourself.

Kasim Sajjad Hi, my name is Kasim, I was wondering whether I could apply for the Maintenance grant. At home, there is only my mum, who looks after my younger brother and sister. However, because I am going to university, she may be unable to help me out with finances due to the lack of income she receives. The money would really help me out with accommodation finances because that is probably the most stressful thing for me. I would really appreciate it if this was possible because the additional support would really give me a piece of mind.

Save the Student Hi Kasim, all UK and EU students are eligible for money to support their living expenses at uni. The amount of Maintenance Loan you’ll receive is determined by your household income – so the lower your household income, the more money you’ll get to cover your accommodation and other living expenses. Our big fat guide to student finance has all the details on this! https://www.savethestudent....

Unfortunately, this money now comes in the form of a loan rather than a grant, meaning you will have to pay it back in future, but repayments are very manageable and in line with your future salary. If you’re worried about student loan repayment, we’ve got more info here: https://www.savethestudent....

Jeffrey Hi I was wondering what if I want to do A levels but I didn’t get the requirements for GCSE to do the A levels I wanted (due to extenuating circumstances like severe anxiety and depression, obsessive compulsive disorder which were due to financial issues) I’m 19 now and unemployed and I’m tired of depending on my parents and dealing with my brother who has classic autism who’s going to take care of him but unfortunately me I want to become an engineer But the A levels I need are chemistry physics and biology and maths and I realised I have to do them at an exam centre which I can’t afford (I’d have to starve myself to retain such money) I’d need about no more than £1200 to pay the exam centre since I’ve already learnt the material I need to know and doing countless past papers and was hoping to do the exams in 2019 June- but I feel like if I don’t get the money soon I’ll get more anxious depressed and fall back to old habits and I’d feel like I learnt everything for no reason. People call me lazy for not trying but they don’t understand how much people like me have to suffer to even get education.

Kirsty Hi There, I wonder if someone could offer me some advice. I have been working really hard to obtain the entry requirements needed to get onto a (rare) full time veterinary nursing diploma course at the central college of animal studies in Ipswich. The course is rare because it's the only one I am aware of which offers you a full time study program. Most are part time but require you to have a work placement and so therefore you are essentially doing an apprenticeship. Finding a work placement is very difficult and in the 2 years I have been trying, I have been unsuccessful. I thought the full time course would offer me the opportunity to obtain the qualification I want without needing a work placement however, the course fee's are £6000 per year. I am a single parent, benefits are currently my only income as I went back into education to improve on some GCSE grades especially to enroll on this course. I am advised that the course is not government funded and has to be privately funded. They offer the option to pay monthly but at repayments of £500 it's simply unaffordable. Can anyone shed any light on whether or not I might be able to get any help with paying these course fee's? I don't expect a handout, even if it were a loan which I could pay back over a longer term than the 3 year course. Sadly most lenders won't lend to someone on benefits so just wondering if there are any other options consider the money is required only for course fee's? I don't need any other help with maintenance or childcare etc. If anyone can offer any help or advice I would be so grateful. Thanks in advance. Kirsty

Alexandra Muñoz Sala Hello I wonder if there are any bursaries to which I am eligible being an EU student. I study costume for performance at UAL and the only info we received was access to Learning Funds but that's for home students. Should I look for such options here in UK at all or should I advance an enquire about it back in Spain?

Jake Butler Hi Alexandra, it's best to ask the financial advisers at UAL for any advice on this.

Darren Hi. I worked as a full time healthcare Support Worker for NHS Scotland for 5+ years and I successfully obatained my HNC 2015/16, this also allowed me to enter Year 2 in uni for my nursing degree. As I am an NHS HNC student my fees are paid by SAAS and my bursary is paid from the Scottish Government Health Directorate. While doing my HNC I was still in full time employment with NHS and still receiving a full time wage. When starting year 2 I was required to give up full time employment and live off my bursary which was half what I was earning. I applied for discretionary funds at uni to help with rent however they required a copy of my funding ward. As my bursary is paid separately I don't have 1. I contacted SAAS and explained the situation. They told me I was required to apply for funding for my year 2 as I hadn't applied but I explained I was already funded. They told me too apply anyway so I did. On the 11/03/17 I checked my bank account and SAAS have paid into my account back dated SAAS bursary from sept 16 til date!

Am I entitled to this funding as well as the funding I'm receiving from my HNC bursary or should I retuned this funding?

Darren

Jake Butler Hi Darren, I am not sure whether you are entitled to this money or not. My suggestion would be not to spend a penny of it just yet. Get in touch with SAAS over the phone to find out if you are eligible or not.

Lilly Hi, my daughter has been offered admission to a UK university as an overseas student (under international tuition fee structure as we are non-eu/UK national) starting Sept 2017. However, our family circumstance may change as we will be moving to the UK in July 2017 under a tier 2 /work visa with her as a dependent. My question: will she qualify to pay the home tuition fees instead of international fees? Thank you so much for any advice you can lend me.

Jake Butler Hi Lilly, the eligibility criteria for a home student includes being in the UK for 3+ years before the start of your course among other things.

Emily Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone would be able to provide me with some advice/guidance. I have applied (and been accepted) to do a PGCE primary course starting September 2017. I have just found out that the gov no longer offers any bursaries for holders of a 2:1. As far as I am aware I am also not eligible for any student loan as I hold a masters degree and so hold degree higher than the one I am trying to get funding for. I am basically unable to get any student loan/ bursary to support me. I was wondering if you knew of any other options or anything else I could do? As it stands at the moment I may be unable to accept a place on the course as I have no way of paying. Any advice you have would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Jake Butler Hi Emily, I'm really sorry to hear that you are in this situation. Unfortunately I don't know of any other options you could take. My best suggestion would be to do some in depth research into whether any charities or organisations would be able to support you in any way.

Chantelle I started uni in Sept 2004 studying Criminology and Sociology. Unfortunately I dropped out by Christmas of the same year. I then applied to a different uni for the following year (2005) to study social work. I again dropped out the following year (2006) Both times I dropped out was not because I found the work difficult, but due to mental health, which I did not tell anyone about until I received a diagnosis in 2008 and began taking medication, which has helped me manage my mental illness considerably. Each time at uni I received a student loan, which I began to pay back when I started a job that paid over £15,000 a year. I have since left that job (2013). When I reapplied to uni in 2005, I was told by the student loan company that they would pay my uni fees again, even though I dropped out the previous year at a different uni, but if I dropped out again, they would not be able to help me in the future. I have probably already answered my own question lol but would really appreciate any advice on this particular topic, as I now feel that I am ready to go back to uni and complete the entire three years. Sorry for the long ramble folks.

rhia Hello Jake Butler I would like some advice if possible please? I am taking a year out of university and returning next year, i am waiting to be seen by people who can authorise this, in the mean time i have been diagnosed with dyslexia and am waiting for a response from them with instructions of how to get the support and tools for my dyslexia. Do you know if i could get the help from them still even though i am having a year off? as i would like to get the equipment and use it whilst i am off so by the time i return i will already know how it works and actually be able to work to the best of my ability. I will definitely be returning but am worried as i have had a year at university already and struggled and only recently been diagnosed with a learning disability and now for personal reasons will have to leave for a year. any help or information would be much appreciated. Thank You

Jake Butler Hi Rhia, this would be down to their discretion so it's worth letting them know your situation and seeing what they say.

Melissa I am looking at applying to start an undergraduate degree and have been trying to look into whether i would be eligible for student loans. I have been out of the UK for 3 and a half of the past 5 years, travelling in different places. Would I still be classed as a UK resident as I haven't actually 'lived' anywhere else during my time away?

Jake Butler Hi Melissa, this is a tricky one and could depend on your registered address. If you've just been holidaying or visiting the other countries then you could still be classed as your main home being in the UK for the past 3 years. However, if you've been living abroad for longer periods of time it might be tricky. It's always worth double checking with student finance.

Sandra Hello, I was just trying to look in to help with fees for my daughter to study at vetinary university, are there scholarships for those who are getting good grades at college etc..

Charm Hattersley My 27 year old son has Aspergers and has just been offered a place on a part time photography course at college. The course is £560 pounds and he has no income of his own. He doesn't receive any benefits and is financially dependent on us. Are there any bursaries or funding that might help him?

Vicky Hello, is there any grants/loans for extra financial help for new university students studying at The Open University in October? I'm finding it very hard to find extra support help for people like me who have chosen to study at home, work but don't always have the funding to support the stuff I need for studying?

Harriet Hi,

Im starting a PGCE in September and have applied and been granted a maintenance loan of £8999. I'm also entitled to a bursary between £15-20,000 because of my subject and grade. Will my maintenance loan affect my bursary?

Dimitris Hello, I have recently gotten an offer for a course, and student loan of 5300 for the year. I am worried this won't be enough to cover my rent. As I am currently on housing benefit and I am working part time.

Would I be able to claim the special support grant?

Jake Butler Hi Dimitris, please see all the info about the special support grant on this page. There's more info on eligibility up there.

Lydia Akinwunmi Hi Jake, I am a 53 years old single woman, who is starting a Master degree in September, 2016, funded by the new Postgraduate loan which covers my tuition, with no living expenses and cost for travel and books. I have tried crowdfunding however, with very little responses. What guidance can you give me on maintenance fund?

Thanks

Jake Butler Hi Lydia, the majority of postgraduate students tend to do part time work alongside their studies in order to get by with living costs.

david morris Hi, I am 56 and I have applied to do a certificate in safe guarding. The course cost £2,400. I would like to know where I can get a grant and or any kind of help to pay for this course if if its half the amount. thank you.

Jake Butler Hi David, as this is not a university based course I can't be sure on the funding. It sounds unlikely that there will be anything on offer for you but I would suggest contacting the course provider. Hope that helps, Jake.

Liz Hi My husband who has indefinite leave to remain in UK is applying for a BAcourse full time. I'm a British citizen.we live in private rented accommodation in London. He'll give up work to study.i am earning a low wage of 10400 a year. It seems he is not entitled to Housing Benifet and our rent is a London rent. Can you tell us how we can get help to pay rent and if he is entitled to some of the funding that requires that you be a UK citizen as he has ILR status and not yet applied for UK citizen ship although he is entitled to it.?(he hasn't applied yet due to the cost) Thank you for your time

Jake Butler Hi Liz, I think it's worth him double checking the eligibility status for student loans here: https://www.gov.uk/student-...

It's worth noting that most aren't able to apply for housing or any other benefits if they take out the student loan but on your household income (if he's eligible) he should receive the full amount.

Raz Hi I have applied for a HE DIPLOMA COURSE and will be studying part-time, distant learning. I have applied for student finance although this is where I am confused and would be grateful if you can clear it up for me? Is the student finance I applied for ONLY covering costs of the courses? Can I or am I eligible for money towards living/equipment (a grant) ? Many thanks in advance.

Jake Butler Hi Raz, unfortunately part-time students aren't currently eligible for a loan to help with living costs.

Kerrie Can anybody advise if there is extra funds available to somebody whose parents did NOT go to university? I have heard through a friend there could be but I can't find any information on it..thanks

Jake Butler This kind of grant is/was extremely rare and would be university or case specific. I know the majority don't offer it but it's worth doing some research to see if your university/course offers this grant.

sara Hi there. I am a a single mom of a child under the age of 5. I will be starting a full time degree this September 2016. I am going to apply for NSH bursery, I know i will be entitle to at least my tuitions fees and some dependant allowance and parental learning allowance although that is not enough to cover all the expenses. Is there any other help I can get that combined with NHS bursary?

Jake Butler You should also be able to claim the government maintenance loan and tuition loan.

Matt Hi,

I will be starting a 3 year degree in September 2016. I am 25 and live in my own home and have done for the past 6 years. I will be claiming NHS bursary, maintenance grant and maintenance loan when I start. This doesn't equate to much in terms of bills and travel expenses as well as daily living costs. I was hoping to get a part time job to help supplement these costs and was just wondering if there is a maximum amount of hours i can work or a maximum amount i can earn before it effects these grants and loans?

Cheers

Jake Butler Hi Matt, the maintenance grant is being scrapped this year I'm afraid. However, you will still be eligible for some funding. The amount you get depends on your household income. If you earn below £25,000/year then you should be eligible for the maximum. More info here: http://www.savethestudent.o...

lola Hi,

I am EU National who lives in the UK but i haven't lived in the UK for up to 3 years and am going to be starting a Adult nursing course by Sept. I am a single parent of one who is on income support, i was wondering if i would be eligible for the Special Support Grant and any other grant to help ,e and my child?

Jake Butler As an EU national it says you must have been living in the UK for 5 years in order to apply as a UK citizen would. Aside from that it looks like you have to have been in the UK for 3+ years to apply for most funding: https://www.gov.uk/student-...

If in doubt I would suggest calling student finance england for some clarification.

Jake Butler As an EU national it says you must have been living in the UK for 5 years in order to apply as a UK citizen would. Aside from that it looks like you have to have been in the UK for 3+ years to apply for most funding: https://www.gov.uk/student-...

If in doubt I would suggest calling student finance england for some clarification.

Magda Hi, I am EU Nationals,and I will finish my HND on June this year. I would like to apply for the student finance loans and grants. I accepted a place at Uni (third year - top up) start from Sept 2016. I am able to prove that I have been living in the UK last 5 years. Am I eligible to get a maintenance loan and support for a living cost? Thank you!

Jake Butler As far as I'm aware you should be able to apply for the funding. I would contact student finance to make sure though.

Magda Thank you for your response.

Tessa George Hi, I am starting uni at Sep. I am from a single parent family and my mu earns less than 25,000 a year. are there any bursaries for kids from single parent families as i have a brother and a little sister at home who all live with my mums salary . are there any ohter bursaries i can be entitled to other than this.

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