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This page applies to Academic Year 08/09. You can also find information regarding support available in Academic Year 09/10 .
There are sources of support available in certain circumstances if you are a full-time student. You can obtain further information from your Local Authority or by going to “Forms and Guides” which is available through the link on the New and Continuing Students’ Main Pages on this Site
Bursaries
Bursaries are extra financial help for students which are provided by the college or university that you attend.
There will be a National Bursary Scheme operating for students in Higher Education in Wales. Further details are available at the Welsh Bursaries Scheme home page.
If you have children or dependants
Childcare grant
For full time students with children. The amount you receive will be dependent upon your household income and is based on 85% of your actual childcare costs. This will be paid in three instalments like your student loan and does not have to be repaid.
The maximum available is £161.50 per week if you have one child and £274.55 per week if you have two or more children.
Parents’ learning allowance
For help with course-related costs for students with children. The amount you receive will be dependent upon your household income. The amount of Parents Learning Allowance payable £50 and £1,508. This will be paid in three instalments like your student loan and does not have to be repaid.
Adult Dependant’s Grant
For full-time students with adult dependants. If you have a partner (including a partner of the same sex if you began your course in 2005 or after) or another adult, usually a member of your family, who depends on you financially, you may be eligible. You can receive up to £2,647.
How much you get depends on your income and that of your adult dependants. This will be paid in three instalments like your student loan and does not have to be repaid.
If you are a disabled student
Disabled students’ allowances
For help with extra course-related costs which arise as a result of your disability. Your household income has no effect on the amount you receive.
| Allowance |
Maximum available (Full-Time Students) |
Maximum available (Part-Time Students) |
| Non medical helper |
£20,520 (per annum) |
£15,390 (per annum) |
| Major items of specialist equipment |
£5,166 (one off payment) |
£5,166 (one off payment) |
| Other disability related expenditure |
£1,729 (per annum) |
£1,293 (per annum) |
Disabled students’ allowances (DSAs) for postgraduate study
Full- and part-time disabled students including distance-learning students, whose courses have an entry requirement of at least a first degree and last for at least one academic year, can receive an allowance of up to £10,260. If the course is part time, you must complete it in no longer than twice the time taken to complete an equivalent full-time course.
Postgraduates who receive awards from universities and colleges which include support for disabilities are also not eligible for postgraduate DSAs.
Other forms of support
Loan rates for extra attendance if your course is longer than normal
You can get an extra amount of income-assessed loan to cover each extra week you have to be on your course above 30 term-time weeks (plus the short holidays). If you have to be on the course for 45 weeks or more in any 12-month period, you will get an extra amount of loan as if you were studying for 52 weeks. The most you can get each week is as follows:
| Loan rates |
Extra per week |
| London |
£106 |
| Elsewhere in UK |
£83 |
| Overseas |
£115 |
| Living with Parents |
£55 |
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