Find scholarships, bursaries, and grants
You could be eligible for more funding than you think.
Explore scholarships, bursaries, and grants matched to your background, achievements, or chosen course, and get support for your study and living costs.
Grants and bursaries
Bursaries are always awarded based on financial circumstances. They target students from low-income families, those with refugee status, or others facing financial hardship. Bursaries are typically means-tested based on your household income and can cover tuition fees, living expenses, or specific educational costs.
Grants usually support students based on personal circumstances like coming from an underprivileged background or having a disability. In some cases, grants may also recognise achievement, but their primary focus is addressing financial need or supporting specific groups of students.
Like scholarships, neither bursaries nor grants require repayment, making them valuable resources for students who need extra financial assistance.
Check with your university's financial aid office to learn what bursaries and grants you might be eligible for.
If you’re struggling financially, you may want to look into scholarships. Here’s a breakdown of what they are and how to apply.
Here we answer your top questions about scholarships, grants and bursaries.
Applying for bursaries
Most university bursaries don't require a separate application. When you apply for student finance, you simply need to tick the box to share your information with universities, and they'll automatically assess your eligibility.
However, some specific bursaries, such as those for care leavers or estranged students, may require you to contact your university's student finance team directly.
You should apply for bursaries at the same time you submit your student finance application. Universities typically assess eligibility after you enrol, and you can expect to receive confirmation between September and November.
While some universities allow you to receive both a bursary and a scholarship if you're eligible for both, multiple bursaries usually cannot be combined. Each university has different rules, so it's important to check their specific terms and conditions.
If you received a bursary last year and consented to share your information when applying for funding, you should automatically receive it again. However, your continued eligibility depends on successful progression through your studies and meeting the ongoing criteria.
Applying for grants
Most student grants don't require a separate application either. You simply apply through Student Finance (whether that's England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland), and your eligibility is automatically assessed based on your household income.
Some specific grants, such as Disabled Students' Allowance or Childcare Grant, may require additional forms or evidence, so you should check your country's student finance website for details. Remember, this is the country you come from, not the one you're applying to.
You should apply for grants when you submit your student finance application, ideally by your funding body's deadline, which is usually May for returning students and June for new students. Grants are assessed and confirmed alongside your loan, with payments starting at the beginning of each term.
You can receive multiple grants simultaneously if you're eligible. For example, you might receive the maintenance grant alongside the Special Support Grant or grants for dependants.
You must reapply for student finance each academic year, and your grant eligibility will be reassessed based on your updated household income. If your circumstances haven't changed and you reapply on time, your grant should continue automatically.