I am a part-time student

Who is eligible?

Part-time undergraduate students who are studying at least 50% of an equivalent full-time course (your college will be able to tell you if your course qualifies) can apply for support towards their fee and course costs. Entitlement to grants will depend on your income and that of your husband, wife or partner and there is no age limit to this support. 

In 2008/09 the fee grant will be linked to how intensive your course is and there will be three different rates of fee grant.

Part-time students can also apply for a course grant of up to £250 towards travel, books and other course costs. Entitlement to the grants will depend on your income and that of your husband, wife or partner.

How much is available?

NB: If you are on a part-time teacher-training course, you are not eligible for part-time grants but you may qualify for full-time support.

Students who already hold a first degree are not usually eligible for support.

There is no age limit and the grants do not have to be repaid.

Am I able to apply for an income assessment?

Yes, all part-time students are income-assessed. For new students (starting their course on or after 1st September 2005) we will take into account the income of the student and also their husband, wife or civil partner (of the same or opposite sex) they live with as if they were married.

Income thresholds

For a single student with no dependants the relevant income thresholds in 2008/09 are as follows:

Where a student's income is jointly assessed with that of their partner the above income levels are increased by £2,000.

Where a student has dependent children the income levels above are increased by £2,000 for the eldest dependent child and by £1,000 for each further child.

Note: the maximum number of years for which you can get support for part-time study is eight.

How do I apply?

You can:

• Print out a copy of the form from the Department for Education and Skills
• Telephone the DfES for a pack 0800 731 9133
• Pick up a pack from your university
• Contact the Student Access and Support Team - we hold a small number of packs

You should send the completed form to the Student Access and Support Team along with your:

• Original birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if name differs from application name and birth certificate)
• Proof of income (P60 etc)
• Copies of your children's birth certificates

If you are studying at the Open University the form should be sent to the Open University.

I have a disability - am I entitled to apply for the Disabled Student's Allowance (DSA)?

If you are studying at least 50% of a full-time course (including distance learning) you may be eligible for help with a DSA.

How do I apply?

You can request a form DSA1 from the Student Access and Support Team or download a copy from the DfES website along with DSA2 - a guide to completing your application.

How much is available?

• Specialist equipment allowance - up to £5,030 for the whole of the course
• Non-medical helper's allowance - as a percentage of the full-time rate, according to the workload of a part-time course, up to £15,000 a year
• General disabled students' allowance as a percentage of the full-time rate in the same way as above, to a maximum of £1,260 a year

For further information please contact The Children and Young People Information Service on 01454 868008 or email educ.grants@southglos.gov.uk also see the 'Useful websites' section on this page.