General information about higher education
Student finance for full-time higher education students
There is finance available to help students with the costs of higher education. The main sources of support for full-time students are:
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Student Loans and grants from the government
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Bursaries and scholarships from universities and colleges
Study first, pay back when you’re earning
If you take out a Student Loan from the Student Loan Company, you won’t have to start paying it back until you’ve left your course and are earning more than £15,000 a year.
Any extra help that you get through a grant or bursary doesn’t have to be repaid at all.
Student Loans
Students entering higher education in 2007 could be eligible for:
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a Student Loan to cover the cost of tuition fees (up to £3,070 in 2007/2008)
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a Student Loan to help towards accommodation and other living costs (up to £6,315 in 2007/2008)
The interest you pay is linked to inflation, so in real terms what you repay is broadly the same as what you borrowed.
Grants to help with accommodation and other living costs
As well as Student Loans, you may qualify for a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant to provide further help with your accommodation and other living costs. You won’t have to pay this back.
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Grants of up to £2,765 are available for 2007/2008.
Whether you can get one depends on your household income (or on your own income).
Bursaries, scholarships and awards
Bursaries
You may be able to get extra financial help from your university or college through a bursary.
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Universities and colleges charging full tuition fees of £3,070 in 2007/2008 have to give you a bursary if you’re getting the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. But many also offer bursaries to a wider range of students, and a few to all students.
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The typical bursary is around £1,000.
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You don't have to pay bursaries back!
Scholarships and awards
Some universities and colleges offer scholarships. These can be based on your income, your A level results or on other criteria. You will need to check with individual institutions to see what they offer.
There are also some charities and educational trusts which may be able to offer extra financial help.
You won’t have to pay back any money you get through a bursary, scholarship or award.
Bursaries, scholarships and awards
Extra help
Extra help is available for students with a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty, and for students with children or adult dependants.
Extra financial help for disabled students
The Access to Learning Fund can provide help for students on low incomes who need extra financial support.
But: both you and your course need to meet certain requirements - for example, you must meet some residency requirements, and your course must lead to a recognised higher education qualification. Check that you qualify before you apply. If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, click here to find out if you may be eligible for funding support.
Click here to open an Excel sheet to work out your finances..
