Money

Students and money

Higher Education - Financial Support

What you need to know

If you're thinking about higher education, you should also be considering the different ways to fund it. It's a good idea to find out about student loans and Government grants, what they involve and how they can help you.

There are also opportunities for bursaries, sponsorship and charitable funding. You may also be interested in additional support such as childcare or disabled students' allowance. Whatever your needs, finding out your options could make a significant difference to your bank balance at the end of your studies.

What you can do

Get an idea of how much your course, books, travel, accommodation and living expenses will be, so you can work out a budget.
Use the web links on this page to find out more about student loans and grants. Ask the questions how much will you be entitled to, what are the interest rates and how much money will you have each term?
You can also use the web links to research potential sponsorship, bursaries, charitable funding and additional support services and allowances.
You may also want to consider where you study and where you will be living. The cost of living can vary considerably across the nation and significantly affect how far your money goes.
When you start your course, it can be a good idea to ask the university or college if there are any internal funds that may be relevant. Sometimes grants are available but not widely advertised. It can pay to be in the know - literally!