There's all kinds of support available from your university. Here's how you can find out what you're eligible for.
Keeping up with your uni workload can be stressful enough without even considering how expensive it can get. There is financial support out there for students though. Here are a few options to try:
What bursaries are available at your uni?
Contact your university’s financial services about the bursaries they offer. Bursaries are sums of money given to you that you do not need to pay back. Many universities offer a bursary of up to £3,000 to students from low-income backgrounds.
Usually, these will be offered automatically when you submit your funding application. If you think you might be eligible but haven’t been offered the bursary, it’s worth getting in touch with the financial services department at the university to find out more.
Does your department have any bursaries?
Many uni courses offer grants, scholarships and bursaries within the department. Get in touch with your department or visit the website to find out what you could be eligible for and how to apply.
What support is available for disabled students?
If eligible, contact your uni’s disability support services about the Disabled Students Allowance. Universities are required by law to make sure that disabled students are not put at a significant disadvantage compared with other students.
If you have a disability that can impact your academic life, you may be eligible to apply for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) to get help with equipment, support services and travel. Get in touch with your uni’s Disability Support Services, GP, or health service to find out about eligibility.
If you are eligible, you can apply through your funding body. For example, you can apply online through your Student Finance England (SFE) account.
Hardship fund
Contact your uni financial services department about the hardship fund. You could be eligible for funding if you are:
- A student with children, especially single parents
- A mature student with existing financial commitments
- From a low-income family
- Disabled
- A student that was previously in social care
- Homeless or living in a foyer
Contact your university or fill out an online Hardship Fund Form to check your eligibility.
Strike refund
Lots of students have been affected by strikes this year. If you’ve missed lectures because of strike action, you can demand a partial refund on your tuition fees from the Vice-Chancellor. First, write down how you’ve been affected and how many hours you’ve lost due to strikes. Then, put this in an email to your Vice-Chancellor.
If possible, work with other students by signing a joint petition to get tuition fees reimbursed. According to a report by the Independent, students from 11 universities were paid out a total of £3 million for the teaching hours lost due to the 2020 strikes.
Global Opportunities scholarship
If you want to do work experience or international study while at uni, you could be eligible for a Global Opportunities scholarship. Not all degrees offer the opportunity to study or travel abroad, but this doesn’t mean you can’t still get some experience living in another country while at uni. Going abroad for work or study can be a great way to live new experiences, smarten up your CV, and learn new things. Contact your uni’s Global Opportunities department to find out whether you can get funding to study or work abroad during your degree.
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