Website of the UK government

Fee Grant and Course Grant

The main sources of government-funded help for lower income part-time students are:

• the Fee Grant - to help with tuition fees
  
• the Course Grant - to help with study costs, such as books, materials and travel

The maximum Fee Grant you can get is based on how ‘intensive’ your course is - how long it takes to complete compared to the equivalent full-time course.

For the most intensive courses, the maximum available through the Fee Grant and Course Grant combined is £1,470 for 2009/2010.

If you’re getting certain benefits, you’ll qualify for the maximum automatically. Otherwise, how much you can get depends on your personal circumstances and household income.

Any help you get through the Fee Grant or Course Grant doesn’t have to be paid back.

Applying for the Fee Grant and Course Grant

You’ll need to make a separate application for each academic year, using the application form for part-time student finance (PTG1).

Forms for the 2009/2010 academic year

• Download application form for part-time students (PTG1) (2009/2010) (PDF, 121K)

• Download notes to help you complete form PTG1 (2009/2010) (PDF, 85K)

• Download confirmation of benefits form for part-time students (CB1) (2009/2010) (PDF, 75K)

What to do with your completed form

Fill in the form and take it with you to your college or university when you start your course.

The administration office will complete the rest of the form (waiting until you’ve attended for two weeks), confirming:

• that you’re a student there
• how intensive your course is
• what the tuition fees are

If you’re a new student starting a course in 2009/2010, you'll then need to send the form to Student Finance England.

• Contact Student Finance England

If you started your course before 2009/2010, you’ll need to send the completed form either to your local authority or to the Student Loans Company - depending on where you live. See ‘Contact your local authority (student finance applications)’ to find out where you need to send your form.

• Contact your local authority (student finance applications) Opens new window

If you are an Open University student

The same rules on the Fee Grant and Course Grant apply, but the Open University deals with its own applications. Contact the Open University directly for a separate application form.

• Contact the Open University

More about the Fee Grant and Course Grant

Before you apply, it’s worth checking that you’re eligible for the Fee Grant and Course Grant.

Follow the link below for information on eligibility – and for an idea of how much you could get.

• Fee Grant and Course Grant for part-time students - working out how much you could get

Disabled students - extra help

If you have a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty, you can apply for extra help through Disabled Students' Allowances.

• Financial help for disabled students (disabled people section)

Grants from educational trusts and charities

A number of organisations offer grants on top of the student finance package provided by the government.

You can 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

Or you can ask a student adviser at your college or university.

• Libraries and books (home and community section)

Get advice from EGAS

The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) can also help you find out what’s available. EGAS provides students - especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds - with expert guidance on getting funding for education and training.

• Contact EGAS

Additional Fee Support Scheme and Access to Learning Fund

Additional Fee Support Scheme

If your university or college runs the Additional Fee Support Scheme, it could provide extra help if:

• you’re on a low income
  
• your course will take no longer than twice as long to complete as the equivalent full-time course
  
• you get the Fee Grant, but it doesn’t fully cover your tuition fees – and you wouldn’t be able to apply to or continue with your course without additional support

Access to Learning Fund

If you’re in financial difficulty, help may also be available through the Access to Learning Fund.

• Access to Learning Fund: extra help if you need it

These schemes are run by universities and colleges in England. Those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland don't take part, but they may offer similar help. You can find out what’s available from your university or college’s student support office.

Claiming benefits

As a part-time student, you may be able to claim income-related benefits. Any Fee Grant or Course Grant you get won’t be counted as income when working out your entitlement to benefits.

• Benefits for higher education students with low incomes (money, tax and benefits section)

Part-time Initial Teacher Training courses

The financial support available is different for students on part-time Initial Teacher Training courses. Follow the link below to find out more.

• Initial Teacher Training: what financial help can you get?

Applying for 2008/2009?

Student finance applications close nine months after the start of the academic year. But if you’re still able to apply for the 2008/2009 academic year, you’ll need to complete the 2008/2009 version of form PTG1.

To get a copy form PTG1 for 2008/2009, contact your local authority – or the Student Loans Company, if they’re handling applications for your area.

• Contact your local authority (student finance applications) Opens new window

More useful links

• Download 'Guide to Financial Support for Part-time Students in Higher Education' (2009/2010) (PDF, 594K)

• Download 'Guide to Financial Support for Part-time Students in Higher Education' (2008/2009) (PDF, 192K)