Financial support for full-time students

Student finance for higher education students!

• Returning and new students you can apply online NOW for student support!
• You don't need to wait until you've been accepted on course - apply now!
• Visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance for more information and to apply
• Any further queries contact Learner Services on 0117 312 5000 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  

Don't let the costs of university level study stop you

• College is often less expensive than other local universities
• Financial support is available, such as loans and grants

You also stand a better chance of earning more with a university degree.

The fees and financial support on this page is for EU and 'home' students only. EU students are eligible for home fees but not necessarily for the full support package unless they meet the three years residency criteria. Please visit www.directgov.uk for more information.

Loans

Support available from Student Finance England for full-time students starting in September 2011 includes:

Tuition fees loan

• You can borrow the cost of your tuition fees each year (up to a maximum of £3,375)
• Pay back when you are earning over £15,000

Maintenance loan

In addition to the student loan for tuition fees, you may be able to get a student loan for maintenance to help with the costs of accommodation, food, books and other expenses:

• Maximum of £4,950 a year if you are living away from home
• Maximum of £3,838 a year if you are living at home
• 72% of the maintenance loan is non-means tested, meaning you can take out 72% of the maximum loan regardless of your household income. The remaining 28% is means-tested and dependent on your household income.
• The amount you are eligible for is also affected by any help you get through the maintenance grant (see below)
• Pay back when you are earning over £15,000

You don't have to start paying back tuition fee loans or maintenance loans from Student Finance England until you've finished your course and are earning over £15,000 per year. You then pay back 9% of your income over £15,000.

Non-repayable grants

Maintenance Grants

• Known as a special support grant if you have an underlying eligibility to receive certain benefits
• Non-repayable maintenance grant/special support grant of £2,906 a year may be available if your household income is less than £25,000
• If your household income is between £25,000 and £50,020 you may receive a partial grant of between £50 and £2,906 per year.

Support for students with dependents

There is a range of non-repayable financial support available for students with children or other dependents:

• Parents' Learning Allowance of up to £1,508 a year
• Childcare Grant of up to £148.75 a week for parents with one child, or £255 a week for parents with two or more children
• Adult Dependents' Grant of up to £2,642 a year

Disabled Students' Allowance

A range of help is available which is not dependent on household income.

Find out more about the Disabled Students' Allowance.

Bursaries

You may be eligible for additional financial support from your partner university. The University of West of England and Bath Spa University offer additional, non-repayable bursaries for full-time students.

Grants from educational trusts and charities

On top of financial help from the government, you may be eligible for an award from one of a number of organisations which provide help for students in higher education.

Access to Learning Fund

If you find yourself in financial difficulties whilst you are studying, you can apply to the Access to Learning Fund (ALF) for a non-repayable grant.

Complete the ALF application and submit with all required documentation to see if you qualify. Read through the Guidance Notes before applying.

You can also get further information and support by contacting Learner Services on 0117 312 5275 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Interested in studying part time?