Financing higher education

Government support for full-time students

Support for full-time students includes:

• an annual Maintenance Grant to help with accommodation and living costs. The amount depends on personal circumstances and does not have to be repaid.
• an annual Student Loan for Tuition Fees. This covers the full cost of the tuition fees and has to be repaid when the recipient is earning over £15,000 a year.
• an annual Student Loan for Maintenance to help with accommodation and living costs. The amount depends on personal circumstances and the size of the Maintenance Grant received. It has to be repaid when the recipient is earning over £15,000 a year.
• parents and individuals with a disability or learning difficulty may be able to get extra help.

Different arrangements apply to part-time students. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

Help from higher education institutions (HEI)

HEI will offer a minimum bursary payment to students who receive a full Maintenance Grant from the government. Some also offer scholarships. Students do not have to repay bursaries and scholarships.