Find out how much financial support is available

Cost is a concern for most potential students, but there is a variety of financial support available. The important part is knowing what is available, what you are entitled to and whether or not you will have to pay it back. As a general rule, grants and bursaries do not have to be paid back, but loans do, so it is important to check what you are applying for so that you know what you will owe when you leave higher education. This section outlines the different types of financial support offered to students, circumstances that can increase your entitlement, and how you can apply for assistance whilst you study.

Below is a list of the topics covered.

Grants and awards
Information on possible non-repayable sources, even the less obvious ones such as local charities and trusts.

Student loans
The sources and procedures behind assessment for student loans and how to pay them back.

Specific financial help
Covers issues that can increase financial support, such as disabilities, dependants, international students and travel costs.

Equivalent and Lower Qualifications (ELQs)

On 7 September 2007, John Denham, The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, announced that from 2008/09, funding would no longer be provided to students from England and Northern Ireland who study for a qualification that is equivalent to, or lower than, a qualification they already hold. Certain courses will be exempt from this policy such as teaching, nursing and social work.

For further information regarding funding please visit www.dius.gov.uk/publications/hefunding.html.