Higher education student support

Beginning a higher education (HE) course is an exciting time. For students currently at school, this may involve leaving home for the first time and living some distance from family and friends. For mature students, it could represent significant change in lifestyle.

Once you have made the difficult choice of where to go and what to study, it is important not to overlook the financial costs involved in undertaking an HE course.

Financial help is available to students, through the national HE student support scheme.  The level and type of support available will depend on many issues, such as household income, choice of college and type of course, making each student's personal position unique.

The student awards team

The Student Awards Team works in partnership with the Student Loans Company (SLC) in Glasgow. The team administers applications for financial support for students entering higher education.

In Bedfordshire we deal with approx. 7,500 applications a year from students living within the County.

The type of financial support available includes:

• Loans & grant to assist with living costs  (depending on level of household income)
• Non means tested tuition fee loan  
• Disabled Student Allowance, help if you have a disability
• Help for students who have children or other dependants

For more information about support available please refer to the Student Finance Direct link below.

Also contact your University/College to find out about non repayable bursaries.

Student Finance Direct| (opens in new window)

Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills – Student Support| (opens in new window)