To be eligible you will need to evidence that:
You have financially dependent children as shown on your Child Tax Credits or Universal Credits documentation. You are in receipt of Universal Credits OR the maximum amount of Child Tax Credits. Your Universal Credits must have been reassessed since commencing your programme of study so that it includes your Student Funding.
UK/home students and residency
This Bursary is for UK/home students registered on a course with us. Usually this means you have an unrestricted right to enter and remain in the UK, and you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three continuous years prior first day of the first academic year of your course e.g., for September 2024 start students, continuously a UK resident for 3 years prior to the 1st of September 2024. None of this time must have been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.
Residency eligibility is usually confirmed by such students receiving maintenance and tuition fee support from the Student Loans Company.
Your course
The criteria detailed below defines the UK/Home students that can apply for the Dependents Bursary:
- Undergraduate students, either full-time or part-time, including part-time distance learners, following a higher education course, including sandwich courses and any period of placement. All students who study part-time courses on or after 1 September 2024 are required to study at least 25 per cent (30 credits) FTE in each year.
- Full-time and part-time students on a postgraduate course (including distance learners) following a course that is a minimum of 1 year, and providing those part-time postgraduate students are studying at least 50% per academic year for courses starting before 1 September 2024 and 25% per each academic year for courses starting on or after 1 September 2024 of a full-time equivalent course.
Degree apprenticeships
Unfortunately, students on Degree Apprenticeship courses are not eligible to apply for the Dependents Bursary. Please contact the Students Union Advice Centre for further advice about any additional financial support that may be available.
Partner colleges
Students enrolled at one of our partner college institutions must contact student support at their college directly for financial support.
If you are unsure about any of the above criteria, please email email our team or phone +44 (0)1772 891828 (Selecting Option 2).
International students
If you are an international student you may be eligible for our International Students Dependents Bursary. To be eligible for this bursary you will need to evidence that:
- Midwife’s letter showing that your due date is within the next 11 weeks. Or
- Child’s birth certificate showing the child was born in the last 6 months.
EU and overseas students who currently reside in the UK on a tier 4 or student route visa are eligible to apply.
