Talk to your student support service to find out what is available.
Quick facts
- Paid by
- Your university or college
- Repaid?
- Usually not
- Benefits
- Not usually counted
- Travel grant
- You pay the first £303
Hardship funds
You could get extra money from your university or college if you’re experiencing financial hardship. You may be, for example:
- a student with children, especially single parents
- a mature student with existing financial commitments
- from a low-income family
- disabled
- a student that was previously in care (a ‘care leaver’)
- homeless or living in a foyer
The amount you can get is decided by your university or college. It’s paid in a lump sum or instalments.
Bursaries and scholarships
Each university or college has their own rules about bursaries, scholarships and awards, including who qualifies, how much you can get and how to apply.
Benefits
Money from your university or college will not usually be counted as income when working out your entitlement to benefits, unless it’s for day-to-day living costs.
Travel grants for study abroad and clinical placements
You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and you’re studying abroad as part of your course, on a Turing or Taith placement, or a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK.
You must pay the first £303 of your travel costs.
You do not have to pay back a travel grant.
Other student help
See student finance, the Childcare Grant and Disabled Students’ Allowance.
Common questions
Can my university give me money I do not pay back?
Yes. Bursaries, scholarships and hardship funds usually do not have to be paid back.
Who gets hardship funding?
Often student parents, mature students, care leavers, disabled students and students from low-income families. Each university decides.
Does it affect my benefits?
Not usually, unless it is for day-to-day living costs.
Is there help with travel for placements?
Yes. A travel grant for study abroad and clinical placements, after you pay the first £303.