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Bursaries and scholarships: what are they?

Bursaries and scholarships are extra sources of financial help available from colleges and universities. They’re paid on top of any Student Loans or grants you may get.

Bursaries and scholarships don’t have to be repaid.

Bursaries

Universities and colleges decide what’s available, but those based in England have to offer a minimum payment to students who:

• get the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant
• pay maximum tuition fees - 3,145 in 2008/2009 or £3,070 in 2007/2008
  

The minimum payment depends on the tuition fees the university or college charges - but for 2007/2008, it will be at least £305.

Many universities and colleges are offering considerably more than the minimum: in 2007/08 the typical bursary for a student receiving the full Maintenance Grant on a course charging the full £3,070 tuition fee was £1,000.

• Use the Directgov bursary map to find out what’s on offer at your place of study (opens new window)

Bursaries: started in 2006?

Bursaries form part of the ‘new’ student finance package, generally available to students who started in or after September 2006.

But not all students starting from September 2006 will be able to apply. The 2005/2006 rules on funding continue to apply to some students who started in September 2006 - follow the link below if you’re not sure which rules apply to you.

Scholarships

Many colleges and universities also offer scholarships. Availability can be based on a range of factors - such as your A level grades, the subjects you studied, or where you live.

You can find out what’s on offer from your university or college’s website, or from their student support office.

Bursaries and scholarships: how they’re paid

Usually, you’ll get a direct payment from your college or university. But some provide support in kind, such as:

• discounts on accommodation
• discounts on books
• free transport (for example, by providing a bicycle)

How to apply for a bursary or scholarship

Find out how to apply from your university or college. Some administer their own schemes – for others, Student Finance Direct handles applications and payments.

The main application for student finance asks you to give your consent for Student Finance Direct to share your application details with your university or college if necessary. If your university or college handles their own scheme, giving your consent allows them to use this information to assess what you’re entitled to.

If you don’t consent, you’ll need to provide this information to your university or college directly.

• How to apply for Student Loans, grants and bursaries - new students
• How to apply for student finance - after your first year

What to do if your circumstances change

If your circumstances change - for example, if your household income goes up or down - it’s important to contact the student support office at your university or college.

Extra help: grants and awards from charitable trusts

There are a number of trusts and charities which provide higher education students with financial help. You may be able to get an award from one of these organisations on top of the student finance package provided by the government.

Get advice from EGAS

You can get help finding this type of help from the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS). EGAS offers students - especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds - expert guidance on getting funding for education and training.

• EGAS: check if you're eligible for an educational grant (opens new window)

Finding out more

You can also find information at most public libraries. Useful publications include:

• the Educational Grants Directory
• the Charities Digest
• the Grants Register
• the Directory of Grant Making Trusts

A student adviser at your college or university will also be able to tell you more.

Mobility grants from the Socrates-Erasmus programme

As part of the Socrates-Erasmus programme of European study, mobility grants are available to eligible students who want to do part of their higher education course in one of the 31 countries taking part in the scheme.

• Spending part of your degree course abroad

What other help could you get?

For information on other types of financial help you could get - including Student Loans and grants - see 'Full-time students - getting started'.

• Finance for full-time students - getting started