Grants and bursaries

Grants and bursaries could help you cover the cost of going to university or college or pay towards a community project. And best of all, you won't need to pay the money back.

"You can spend the money on any living costs."

What's the difference between a grant and a bursary?

A grant is a sum of money you get from the Government to help you cope with the cost of studying at university or college. Your university or college can offer extra financial help through a bursary. These are usually only available for academic work, but you can get a grant for almost anything.

Which grants can I apply for?

The two main ones are the Maintenance Grant and the Special Support Grant (or the Assembly Learning Grant in Wales). To qualify, your income and your family's income needs to be below a certain level.

If money trouble risks forcing you out of higher education, you can apply for the Access to Learning Fund. In Scotland, a similar grant is known as the Higher Education Discretionary Funds and the Financial Contingency Funds in Wales.

Can I get extra help according to my circumstances?

Yes. If you have children you could qualify for the Childcare Grant and the Parents' Learning Allowance.

You can access the Adult Dependants' Grant if you support an adult financially, while you could receive the Disabled Students' Allowances if you have a disability, a mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty.

Which bursaries can I apply for?

English universities provide bursaries to help you pay for tuition fees. (JB) If you are on the full Maintenance Grant, the bursary will be at least £319 a year.

If your home is in Scotland and you're studying at a Scottish university or college, your tuition fees will be paid for you. There is a similar scheme in Wales, but it will be phased out from September 2010.

Will my choice of course have an impact on the help I can receive?

It could do. You can get extra help for certain social work, NHS healthcare and teacher training courses.

How can I access grants and bursaries?

Most grants and bursaries are linked to your current finances. You will need to give details of how much you expect to earn over the next year and how much your parents, step parents or parents' partners expect to earn.

What can I use my grant and bursary for?

Unless the grants are given to you to help with particular costs (such as childcare), you can spend the money on anything to help meet general living costs. There are specific grants to help with the cost of travel.

The grants are usually paid at the start of each term, straight into you bank account. If you receive a student loan, both will come through at the same time.

Are all grants linked to studying?

Not necessarily. Local councils and organisations such as YouthBank UK provide grants through local branches to help you get involved with community projects.

Did you know?

Grants have been introduced to help cover the cost of tuition fees. In Scotland, the Young Person's Bursary pays for part of the student loan.

If you're considering a career in the army after your degree, the armed services might provide you with a grant to cover it.

Your education status could impact on benefit entitlements and tax credits. Contact the Department for Work and Pensions and the HM Revenue and Customs for more details.

Jargon Buster

Tuition fees or top-up fees:: The sum you will need to pay towards the cost of your place at university or college. It can't be more than £3,225 per year, but could be less depending on the course you've chosen.

Use the Student Finance Calculator to work out how much financial help you could receive.
Apply online for grants and bursaries: through Student Finance England if you're in England; Student Awards Agency for Scotland if you're in Scotland; Student Finance Wales if you're in Wales; and Student Finance NI if you're in Northern Ireland.
Contact student services at your university to find out about the bursaries they offer.
Use the 'course search' function on the UCAS website to find out about specific bursaries for particular courses.
To find out more about financial help for NHS healthcare, social work and Initial teacher training courses, go to www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk.
To find out about grants provided by educational charities and trusts, ask your local education authority, town hall, local clergy, student union, careers services or Citizens Advice Bureau; contact the Educational Grants Advisory Service for more info.

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