Student finance and funding options
Find out about the different types of funding, finance options and financial support available for students.
Student finance options
Some finance and funding options are available to everyone while others depend on the type of course, your age and background.
If you're under 19 years old, your education is usually free. This means you do not have to pay any tuition fees, although you will sometimes have to pay for equipment or trips.
Your student finance options
Student finance information
Apply for or manage your student finance, including loans, bursaries, grants and other funding.
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
You may get a bursary to help with education related costs like:
- clothing
- books
- equipment
- transport
- lunch on the days you study and train
Find out about the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, or speak to student services at your college or training provider to find out how to apply.
Help with childcare costs
Find out about the Care to Learn scheme, which can help with childcare costs while you study. To be eligible, you must be under 20 years old at the start of your course.
You could get up to £160 per child per week, or more if you live in London. Childcare payments go to your childcare provider, who must be registered with Ofsted.
If you already claim benefits
Speak to your Department of Work and Pensions coach about the funding you may be able to access.
If you're applying for university
You may be eligible to get money to help pay for university or college tuition fees and to help with living costs. You could apply for a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan.
You might get extra money on top of this, if you’re on a low income, are disabled or have children.
The amount you receive depends on the course and your individual or family circumstances.
Grants and loans for further education (FE)
Further education includes school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and FE colleges.
If you think you might struggle with the costs of full-time education or training, you may be able to get a bursary.
Speak to your school, college, Academy or training provider about how to apply for a bursary.
FE students can also get travel discounts in Brighton and Hove.
Grants and loans for higher education (HE)
Higher education refers to the level of education after A-Levels, T Levels, or BTECs.
Support for HE courses is dealt with by Student Finance England, or the organisation you will be studying with.
Adult learners
Advanced Learner Loan
If your aged 19 or over, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England.
Learner Support
If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could claim Learner Support.
Turn to Us
Turn2us offers straight-forward information and practical support to anyone struggling financially.
Grants and bursaries for adult learners
Adult learners can apply for grants and bursaries to help pay for courses and training. Usually, you do not have to pay this money back.
Extra money from your university or college to study
If you’re in higher education, you may be able to apply for money directly from your university or college on top of other student finance.