Government student support

Government Student Support provision exists in each of the four UK countries, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The rules about eligibility for Student Support are broadly similar in each case. However, there are some significant differences between each country, and the type/level of financial support available varies.

You apply for support from the government of the UK country in which you normally reside; this may be different from the country you choose to study in.

After eligibility has been established, the relevant authority will assess your, and/or your family's, income to calculate the level of support to which you are entitled. We cannot describe the calculations used to assess levels of support; information on this is contained in guidance issued by the relevant government department or agency.

Certain courses attract additional help or alternative support. If you are in financial hardship, and you are eligible for Student Support, you might be able to apply for further help through your institution. They can access additional Government support such as Access to Learning Funds (England), Discretionary Funds (Scotland), Financial Contingency Funds (Wales), and Support Funds (Northern Ireland).

The Student Support package also includes extra grants for students with particular needs, for example disabled students and those with dependants.

Undergraduate Student Support is only available if you are studying on a designated course, namely:

• an undergraduate degree
• a Higher National Diploma (HND) / Certificate (HNC)
• a Diploma of Higher Education
• a teacher training course

In Scotland, undergraduate Student Support is also available for a Certificate in Higher Education or a Diploma / Advanced Diploma.

All of the above are higher education (HE) undergraduate courses. If you are studying on a HE postgraduate course, see our info on Funding postgraduate study.

If you are studying on a further education (FE) course, check with your institution whether any funding is available.

You may not be eligible if you have previously received Student Support (or a mandatory award) to study a HE course. The same applies if you have already studied a course at the same or lower level, including qualifications you have obtained in other countries.

If your application for Student Support is refused, you should ask for the reasons for the refusal in writing. If you feel you have been refused incorrectly, you can normally challenge the decision. This will usually involve telephoning, or writing to, the official who informed you of the refusal. You should explain why you think the decision is wrong.

If you are still not satisfied, you can formally appeal against the decision but first you should speak to an adviser at your institution, your Students' Union, or on our Student Advice Line.

Read our information on EEA/Swiss migrant workers if you have been refused following an application to be considered as an EEA/Swiss worker, or as the family member of such a worker.

If you are not eligible for Government Student Support, you may wish to read our information about scholarships and funding your studies, as well as how to manage the cost of living in the UK.

If you did not originally think you would need financial support, but you have now experienced a change in your financial circumstances, you should read our information about unexpected financial hardship.

Student Support is, broadly speaking, composed of: a loan for tuition fees; a loan for living costs; and certain supplementary grants for specific categories, for example disabled students.

The regulations describing the categories of student who are entitled to Student Support changed significantly in 2021. Those regulations are made by England’s Department for Education (not UKCISA).

If you fall into one of the categories of student who are entitled to pay fees at the ‘home’ rate, then you will almost certainly be entitled to some level of Student Support. See England: fee status for information about the categories of student who are entitled to pay fees at the ‘home’ rate.

You should apply to Student Finance England. You will find guidance documents, and details of how to apply, on its website. The deadline for your application depends on when your course starts but you must apply within nine months (six months for part-time courses) of the start of the academic year.

England’s Department for Education produces the England Student Support regulations, and accompanying guidance, for students and assessors. You can read its policy guidance for practitioners, which can be useful if you are refused Student Support and you do not agree with that decision.

If you do not meet all of the requirements of a category at the start of your course, you may still become entitled to support later on if you experience a relevant change of circumstances. If you are unsure about whether you are entitled to Student Support or if you need further information speak to an adviser at your institution or Students' Union or on our students' advice line.

UKCISA aims to expand this information about Student Support entitlement in England this year, to explain how a few categories of student are entitled only to a tuition fee loan, rather than full Student Support. We will also explain the small differences that could mean you are entitled to ‘home’ fees but not to any Student Support (these affect very few people).

Student Support from Scotland is, broadly speaking, composed of: the payment of your tuition fees, if you study in Scotland; a loan for tuition fees if you study outside Scotland; a loan and/or bursary for living costs; and certain supplementary grants for specific categories, for example disabled students.

The regulations describing the categories of student who are entitled to Student Support are made by the Scottish Government. The regulations are called the Student Support (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (No 157). These regulations can be amended, with relatively short notice.

If you fall into one of the categories of student who are entitled to pay fees at the ‘home’ rate, then you will almost certainly be entitled to some level of Student Support. See Scotland: fee status for information about the categories of student who are entitled to pay fees at the ‘home’ rate in Scotland.

You should apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). You will find guidance documents, and details of how to apply, on its website. The deadline for your application depends on when your course starts.

Read further information about Scottish Government and its financial support for students.

If you do not meet all of the requirements of a category at the start of your course, you may still become entitled to support later on if you experience a relevant change of circumstances. If you are unsure about whether you have become entitled to Student Support or if you need further information speak to an adviser at your institution or Students' Union or on our students' advice line.