Useful links
A selection of websites you may find useful.
State financial support
Gov.uk
This is the place to start. The student finance, loans and universities section tells you what financial help is available, whether you’re eligible and how to apply for support. People who normally live in England can also apply for state financial support through this site (if you are from elsewhere in the UK, see below). See also the guide from the Independent Student Finance Taskforce – You can afford to go to uni.
Student Finance England
This gives more information on state financial support available to students who normally live in England.
Student Finance Wales
People who normally live in Wales should go here to find out what financial help is available to them while studying, and to apply for it.
Student Finance Northern Ireland
People who normally live in Northern Ireland should go here to find out what financial help is available to them while studying, and to apply for it.
Student Awards Agency for Scotland
People who normally live in Scotland should go here to find out what financial help is available to them while studying, and to apply for it.
Ucas
Ucas is the body that deals with your university and college applications. But it’s also got a student finance section with advice on managing your money and a useful budget calculator.
Students with disabilities
Disabled Students’ Allowances on Gov.uk
If you are a student with a disability or a specific learning difficulty then you may be eligible for extra help from the government.
Skill – The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Skill – the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities – has a searchable listings database on its website which helps applicants and students with disabilities to find contact details of disability co-ordinators.
Help if you’ve left local authority care
Buttle UK gives grants to care leavers and other students in financial need. It also awards a Quality Mark to universities that ‘go that extra mile to support students who have been in public care’. The website lists which universities and colleges have the Quality Mark and has a wealth of other information for young people who are/have been in care and are considering higher education.
Regardless of whether a university or college has the Quality Mark, it’s worth checking their website to see if they offer a care leaver’s bursary or other tailored support.
Further information for care leavers can also be found at Shelter and The Careleavers Association.
Managing your money
PUSH
PUSH describes itself as ‘the ruthlessly independent guide to UK universities’. The link takes you to their Student Money section.
BrightsideUNIAID
This website, run by the student finance charity BrightsideUNIAID, has interactive games and budget calculators designed to give you a taster of university life and budgeting.
NUS
The NUS website has a ‘Money and Funding’ section offering advice and information on juggling your finances.
Pure Potential
Pure Potential is an independent organisation that helps state-educated students with student finance, Ucas forms and career choices.
Finding extra support
Uni Grants
This is a directory of charities, trusts and other organisations that offer grants to students. The eligibility criteria are often quite specific. Check if there’s anything you could apply for.
Helena Kennedy Foundation
The Helena Kennedy Foundation provides financial bursaries, mentoring and support to disadvantaged students from the further and adult education sectors.
Student Cash Point
Another source of advice on student grants, loans, bursaries, scholarships and awards from charities and other organisations.
Courses and Careers bursary searcher
A directory of information about the financial help offered by individual universities and colleges.
Please be aware that we are not responsible for the accuracy of external websites.