Studying can be quite costly and not just from course fees but also from day to day living costs. See below what financial student support there is for those studying Further or Higher Education courses.
Financial Support for Further Education
Further Education (FE) includes any study after secondary education that’s not part of higher education (that is, not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree). Courses range from basic English and Maths to Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).
FE also includes 3 types of technical and applied qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds:
- level 3 technical levels to specialise in a specific technical job
- level 2 technical certificates to help get employment or progress to another technical level
- applied general qualifications to continue general education at an advanced level through applied learning.
Many courses in reading, writing and basic maths are free, and you may not have to pay for tuition if you’re under 24 and studying for your first qualification equivalent to GCSE or A level. (An overview of what qualification level mean can be found on the government website)
The national government website also has information on financial support, for example for your course or day-to-day living costs.
Depending on your circumstances and the subject you’re studying, you may qualify for:
- Discretionary Learner Support
- Residential Support Scheme
- Care to Learn
- Dance and Drama Awards
- 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
- a loan to help with the costs of a college or training course if you’re 24 or older – called a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan
- funding from a charitable trust. Use the Family Action grant search to check if you can get help from a charitable trust.
Funding for essential skills
In most cases you won’t have to pay for level 1 and 2 English and maths courses. More details here on how to Improve your English,maths and IT skills.
You might be able to take other courses for free.
Funding if you’re on benefits
You can get free training if you’re unemployed and:
- claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance
- in an Employment and Support Allowance work-related activity group
- required to do training as part of your Universal Credit claim.
Your Jobcentre work coach will tell you what training you can do.
If you’re claiming other benefits or can’t get free training through your Jobcentre, you may be able to get funding from colleges and training providers.
Financial Support for Higher Education
The Student Loans Company is a non-profit making, government-owned, organisation set up in 1989 to provide financial support via loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK.
Who do they help?
They provide loans to most students in the UK to help cover living costs, as well as loans for tuition fees. Maintenance loans are paid directly into student bank accounts at the start of each term (monthly for students in Scotland), while the tuition fees are paid direct to their college or university.
The Student Loans Company can:
- pay loans and grants to students
- pay tuition fees to colleges and universities
- work with HM Revenue and Customs to collect loan repayments
- make maintenance payments to school pupils aged over 16 in Northern Ireland and Wales
- pay bursaries and scholarships on behalf of universities and colleges
- deliver the administration and processing associated with these activities.
Through Student Finance you may be able to borrow money to help pay for university or college tuition fees and to help with living costs. You might get extra money on top of this, for example if you’re on a low income, are disabled or have children.
The Student Finance Calculator can be used to estimate:
- student loans
- extra student funding, e.g. if you’re disabled or have children.
You can apply online for student finance for:
- tuition fee loans
- maintenance loans
- maintenance grants – if you’re a continuing student
- advanced learner loans.
You can apply up to 9 months after the start of the academic year for your course.
As well as a student loan, there is other financial support available from a range of sources including bursaries, scholarships, charitable and educational grants. UCAS have more information about additional funding opportunities. Financial support is also available for students in financial hardship, with disabilities, who are care leavers and independent students who have no contact with their family. Alternatively, search on your chosen university’s website.
Advice and other funding options
The National Careers Service offers more information about courses and financial help.
Prospects funding is an alternative source of financial support for postgraduates.
For information on other funding opportunities, check out Turn2us.
Prince’s Trust Development Awards can cover the cost of course fees, tools or equipment to help you achieve your goals.
Wiltshire Community Foundation - Grants
Wiltshire Community Foundation offer a range of grants to support individuals to support their development, education and future employment.
Visit their website to find out more.