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Student finance: an introduction
There’s financial support from the government to help with the costs of higher education, available through the Student Finance England service.
Student finance: help with the costs of higher education
Planning to go into higher education? There’s financial support from the government to help you cover the costs.
Finding out what’s available in advance means you can concentrate on preparing for university or college.
Full-time students
If you’re studying full-time, the main sources of help are:
- Student Loans and grants from the government
- bursaries from your university or college
Student Loans from the government
All eligible students can get help with tuition fees and living costs through Student Loans.
You’ll be able to take out two Student Loans per academic year:
- a Student Loan for Tuition Fees - to cover the cost of your tuition fees in full
- a Student Loan for Maintenance - to help with accommodation and other living costs (how much you get depends on your household income)
Repaying Student Loans
Student Loans have to be paid back - but you don’t have to start making repayments until you’ve left your course and are earning over £15,000.
Once your earnings reach this repayment threshold, you’ll pay back nine per cent of whatever you earn over £15,000. If you’re due to start paying back your Student Loans from April 2012, you’ll have the option of taking a repayment break of one or two years.
Grants to help with living costs: Maintenance Grant and Special Support Grant
Around a third of new students are expected to qualify for the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant, and around a further third for a partial grant.
Bursaries
Bursaries are extra sources of help from your university or college. Institutions in England will offer at least a minimum bursary payment if you’re getting the full Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant.
Grants and bursaries don’t have to be repaid.
Adding it up: the Student Finance Calculator
If you’re a new student starting in 2009/2010, enter your details into the Student Finance Calculator for an idea of how much you’ll get through Student Loans, grants and bursaries.
Extra help
You may qualify for extra help on top of Student Loans, grants and bursaries if you’re disabled, or you have a mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. Extra help may also be available if there’s a child or an adult who depends on you financially.
More about finance for full-time students
Follow the link below for a more detailed guide to what’s available.
Part-time students
Fee Grant and Course Grant
The main sources of financial help for part-time students are different from those available to full-time students.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for the part-time Fee Grant and Course Grant. How much you can get depends on your household income and personal circumstances.
Extra help
You may qualify for extra help if you’re disabled, or you have a mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.
See ‘Finance for part-time students - applying for the first time’ for a more detailed guide to what’s available.
Initial Teacher Training, social work and NHS courses
There are different sources of financial help for certain NHS healthcare, social work and Initial Teacher Training courses.
Not sure if you’re eligible?
Not everyone is eligible for student finance.
Both you and your course need to meet certain requirements - for example, you need to meet some residency requirements and your course must lead to a recognised higher education qualification.
See ‘Eligibility for student finance’ if you’re not sure.
Not from England?
This page is a guide to the financial help available to students from England.
The package of help available - and how you apply for it - is likely to be different if you live outside England.
More useful links
Additional links
Student finance online services
