Additional financial help

This section provides information about additional sources of funding which, dependent on circumstances, students may be eligible to claim.

On this page:

Students who already hold a qualification at an equal or higher level (ELQs)

Students who study for a second qualification at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold are referred to as Equal or Lower Qualification (ELQ) students.

As a result of the changes to government funding for higher education institutions as of 2012/13 LSBU will charge any new ELQ students the standard home fee.

Please note: if you already hold an undergraduate qualification (or the equivalent) you will not be eligible for support via Student Finance England for a second qualification at the same level. Please note this applies to both full and part time undergraduate study. Some exceptions apply and a PDF can be downloaded from the Gov.uk website.

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Students with children

If you are a student with children then you may be able to get some extra help. This comes from two main sources: your Local Authority and HM Revenue and Customs.

Childcare Grant

The Childcare Grant is available to full-time students in low-income households. To qualify, you must have a dependent child or children in registered or approved childcare.

If you qualify, you can receive up to 85 per cent of your actual childcare costs. You do not have to repay this help. How much you get will depend on:

  • your level of income and the income of your household
  • how many children you have in childcare
  • your actual childcare costs

The Gov.uk website has further information about the Childcare Grant and general information on covering the costs of childcare.

Parents' Learning Allowance (PLA)

The Parents' Learning Allowance is available to full-time students who receive the Childcare Grant. It's also available to other full-time students from low-income backgrounds with children.

The allowance is to help you pay for course-related costs such as books, materials and travel. You do not have to repay this help.

The Directgov website provides further information about the Parents' Learning Allowance.

Tax Credits

Students with dependent children may also be entitled to claim Child Tax Credit from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and income.

You may also be able to claim Working Tax Credit. However, if you get the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, you won't be able to claim for the Childcare Grant as well.

The Gov.uk website has further information about Tax Credits.

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Students with adult dependents

If you are a full-time student with an adult who depends on you financially, you could be entitled to the Adult Dependants' Grant. You don't have to repay this help.

An adult dependant can include a partner (of either sex) or another adult, usually a member of your family who depends on you financially. However, you can't count your grown-up children as adult dependants.

How much you get depends on your income and the income of your adult dependants.

The Gov.uk website has further information about the Adult Dependents' Grant.

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Students with disabilities

Detailed information about support for disabled students can be found in the DIUS booklet ‘Bridging the gap: a guide to the disabled students’ allowances (DSAs) in higher education (PDF 322KB - opens in new window). Further details are also available on the NHS Business Services Authority website.

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Students studying on a vocational course

Professional and Career Development Loans are a Government Scheme, operated in conjunction with three High Street banks (Co-operative, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland). They can assist with up to 80% of the cost of Tuition Fees and an amount of living costs, or 100% if you have been out of work for three months or more before applying. A Professional and Career Development Loan is a bank loan designed to help you pay for work-related learning. You don't have to start paying your loan back until at least one month after you stop training.

The Gov.uk website has further information about Professional and Career Development Loans.

In order to have this funding in place at the start of your course you need to apply 8 to 10 weeks in advance. LSBU will need to certify your application so please contact the Fees and Bursaries Office. If you have already had your loan agreed in advance you will need to bring to enrolment a schedule from your bank detailing the instalment amounts for fees and dates these will be paid to the University. If you are in the process of applying for a Professional and Career Development Loan LSBU will certify your application. While you are awaiting a decision on your loan, in order to commence your studies you will need to pay at least 33% of your year's Tuition Fee.

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Foyer Uni Reg

The Foyer Uni Reg scheme is an application process designed to make it easier for students who have lived in Foyers to access financial support at university. Support is particularly offered through the university's Access to Learning Fund, which treats them as a priority group.

Foyer Uni Reg (formerly the Foyer University Bursary) is for Foyer residents (and those who left Foyer within 12 months of starting their studies) who are currently studying, or about to begin, a full-time Higher Education (HE) course at a centrally funded HE institution in England.

Find out if you are eligible for the scheme and for further details call their University Support on 020 7430 2212 or email: bursary@foyer.net.

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Students from the Armed Forces

LSBU is an approved learning provider for the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCAS).

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Claiming benefits

The rules concerning students and benefits are complicated and depend on individual circumstances. There are also different rules for claiming benefits during term time and vacation periods. We therefore advise that all students who are in receipt of benefits, or who believe they may be eligible for certain benefits or tax credits, seek advice from their local Benefits Office, Citizen's Advice Bureau, or a Student Services' advisor.

Further information:

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Help with cost of Dyslexia assessment

Support is available for all LSBU students with dyslexia, to enable them to cope with their practical, academic and personal needs. If you think you would benefit from being assessed, please contact Disability and Dyslexia Support on 020 7815 6405. Financial support for assessment will only be considered if the referral is made by the University's Dyslexia Coordinators.

Applications are not means tested but only those students normally eligible to receive assistance from the Access to Learning Fund can apply.

Students will need to pay for the assessment themselves and then supply the receipt with their Access to Learning Fund application. It will only pay the first £250 of any assessment.

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Charitable Fund

Any fully enrolled student who has embarked on the course with appropriate financial support arrangements in place and has run into financial difficulties outside of their control can apply to the Charitable Fund. Awards will not normally be made to cover living expenses.
If you wish to apply, please note the following:

  • You will need to be up-to-date with your fees or have come to an arrangement with Credit Control
  • The reason for the application should not be for normal living costs, but for financial difficulties that are outside of your control

Forms are available from the Student Advice office. You will need to get a short reference from your Course Director and supply documentary evidence to support your application. You will also need to attend a short interview with an Student Adviser. Only one successful application is allowed per academic year, and awards are between £250 and £500.

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Access to Learning Fund

The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is money given to Higher Education Institutions by the government. It provides financial help to home students with financial difficulties who have exhausted all other sources of support. Access to Learning Funds are available to many home full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students. Payments depend on individual circumstances and vary. They are not available for EU or International students. Student Advice provide full details about the Access to Learning Fund.