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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.

If you're a new student starting in 2009/2010, you can use the Student Finance Calculator to find out what kind of financial help is available from each university and college.

• Student Finance Calculator: get an estimate of how much you could get Opens new window

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 England handles applications and payments.

Either way, start by completing the main student finance application. You’ll be asked whether you consent to Student Finance England sharing your details with your university or college. 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.

• Register, login and apply online for 2009/2010

• More on applying for student finance

More about 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.

This minimum payment depends on the tuition fees the university or college charges - but for 2009/2010, institutions asking for the maximum tuition fees (£3,225) have to offer at least £319.

Many universities and colleges are offering considerably more than the minimum: in 2008/2009 the typical bursary for a student receiving the full Maintenance Grant on a course charging full tuition fees was £800.

You can only apply for bursaries if you started your course in September 2006 or later.

More about 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)

Extra help: grants and awards from charitable trusts

There are a number of trusts and charities which provide financial help to higher education students. 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.

• Libraries and books (home and community section)

Travel and mobility grants

Travel Grant

If you study abroad - or you’re on a medical or dental course and attend clinical training locations within the UK - you may be able to claim back some of your travel costs. You must pay the first £303 of these costs yourself.

You may also be able to get help to cover the costs of medical insurance, visas and vaccinations. When you apply for student finance, you will be asked about where you will be studying as part of your course. If you are eligible to apply for the Travel Grant, Student Finance England will send you an application pack.

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